USITT Obtains GuideStar Gold Rating

USITT is now a GuideStar Gold organization, a designation that increases USITT's public transparency and encourages donor support.

GuideStar provides data on non-profits to help people make informed decisions in their charitable giving.

GuideStar has a Bronze, Silver, and Gold rating system to rank non-profit levels of transparency. USITT submitted all information required for the Gold rating -- including IRS forms, grants, board members, salaries, and how it spends money.

"We recognize that donors are investors, and they deserve to know the operations and financials of their organization," said USITT executive director David Grindle. "Obtaining a GuideStar Gold rating is a good way of letting our donors know that we are committed to operating with maximum transparency."

USITT, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, Inc., is listed with GuideStar as an arts and culture organization whose mission actively promotes the advancement of knowledge and skills of those engaged in performing arts design and production.

Its philanthropic programs include the USITT Rigging Safety Initiative, providing free rigging inspections and safety training for school stages, and the USITT Diversity Initiative, promoting diversity and mentoring in technical theatre.

USITT also submitted impact statements on its promotion of learning via its annual Conference & Stage Expo featuring over 100 workshops and USITT Presents, which brings affordable, year-round training sessions to backstage workers across the country.

Anyone can access the information at guidestar.com by searching for USITT, and decide whether to donate through GuideStar or at usitt.org.

USITT just launched its holiday giving campaign, and will post the GuideStar Gold rating to show that it is a worthy investment, Grindle said.

USITT will hold its signature event, the Annual Conference & Stage Expo, March 18 - 21 at Cincinnati's Duke Energy Center.