
This year, our fundraising has not reached the levels we have experienced in the past. Sponsorships, grants, donations, and fundraising efforts have all fallen short of what we had hoped. At the same time, third-party ticket reselling has significantly impacted our ticket revenue. We have reached a point where we need our community's help. We are asking for pledges—not donations—at this time.
Our goal is to secure $27,000 in pledges specifically for the orchestra by October 2 at 5:00 p.m.
We are asking for pledges first because we want to be responsible with the funds entrusted to us. We do not want to spend down our available resources and risk our ability to pay our other artists, vendors, and production expenses.
We also need to make this decision soon.
Our professional musicians are beginning to book their December engagements, and we want to give them enough time to make other arrangements if we are unable to secure the funding.
Every pledge helps us determine whether we can responsibly bring the live orchestra back to the Warner this year.
No payment is being collected with this pledge. We are simply asking you to make a commitment so we can determine whether the community can reach this goal together.
We have built Erie’s Nutcracker with the support and trust of this community, and we don't take that trust lightly.
If live music is part of what makes Erie’s Nutcracker special to you, please consider making a pledge today.
$27,000 by October 2 at 5:00 p.m. Help us keep the music live.

If live music is part of what makes Erie’s Nutcracker special to you, please consider making a pledge today.

No payment is being collected with this pledge. We are simply asking you to make a commitment so we can determine whether the community can reach this goal together.
Below you will find a link to our Google Form, which gives you the option to pledge anonymously or publicly.
Take some time, fill it out, and someone at Lake Erie Ballet Company will contact you at a later date to fulfill your pledge.
For now, we want to see if our dreams are possible: to keep live music ALIVE in Erie's Nutcracker.

Click Get Started to be led to the Google Form and complete your Pledge.
Thank you to the 6 donors who have already made pledges, as of 9/26/26, 11 PM
So far we have raised $990 of the $27,000 we need to afford a Live Orchestra
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You may not see your amount accurately displayed at the time you submit your form.
