Donate Now
Your donation today ensures that HOBT will continue to welcome the community to exciting programs like these as we continue our journey toward the next 50 years! We deeply appreciate your support of HOBT!
Support Accessibility by donating to our Capital Campaign!
In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre has launched a $300,000 capital campaign to support accessibility renovations to our new home at 2411 Hennepin Avenue:
- the installation of a fully-accessible lift
- the expansion of sensory supports across our programming spaces (including lighting and sound cushioning)
- polarization and environmental remediation for windows, and more.
We would love to welcome you to our new home so you can see the scope and need for these renovations in person!
Your sustainable donation supports HOBT mission in the following ways:
New educational & workshop programs designed for our neighbors in the neurodivergent and disabled communities
Training for teachers, therapists and librarians seeking new ways to engage their clients and students
Training & mentorship programs for emerging puppetry artists
Puppet Slams, monthly puppetry shows by local artists, Puppet parades and more!
How can I ensure that my gift makes the greatest impact?
Like many organizations across the nonprofit sector, monthly gifts to general-operating support have the greatest impact on our organizational capacity and flexibility, allowing us to pay staff salaries and benefits; improve physical and sensory accessibility in our physical spaces; compensate artists at a fair and equitable rate; maintain our website and event calendars; provide low- and no-cost programming to children, youth, and families across the state; and much, much more.
Tax Benefits for Supporting our Capital Campaign!
Starting in 2026, charitable giving rules will shift under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). For individuals who do not itemize, a new deduction allows up to $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for joint filers for cash donations to HOBT—an incentive that did not exist in 2025. Meanwhile, itemizers will face new limits: a 0.5% of AGI floor before deductions apply and a cap reducing the benefit for top-bracket taxpayers from 37% to 35%. These changes mean that donating in 2025 may offer greater tax benefits for itemizers, while 2026 opens opportunities for non-itemizers to finally claim a deduction. With these updates, now is a great time to support our capital campaign and help us build a sustainable and accessible future for HOBT.
What does my gift go towards?
HOBT programs, events, community outreach, artist training and mentorship cohorts, and much more are all supported by the generosity of our donors, funders, and sponsors. Your funding supports activities like:
HOBT Puppet Storytime and storytime cohort: Free of charge to all participants, HOBT hosts storytime sessions in locations across the Twin Cities, bringing the magic and joy of puppetry to audiences of all ages.
HOBT Puppet and Mask Lending Library: HOBT makes our expansive collection of puppets and masks available at no cost to artists and community members through the Puppet Library, which also supports skill- and knowledge-sharing through Puppet Clinic, where community members have the opportunity to learn puppet repair and care techniques from experienced puppet artists.
HOBT school programs: HOBT is proud to have strong collaborative relationships with schools and after-school programs across the Twin Cities. HOBT school programs serve preschool through high school, and include public and private schools, home schools, and community after-school programs in partnership with community organizations like the Jeremiah Program and Lutheran Social Services.
Artist training and mentorship: HOBT is committed to providing opportunities for artistic collaboration, nurturing early career and emerging artists, and fostering space for knowledge- and skill-sharing for artists across disciplines and career stage. This includes artist training and mentorship programs like our Puppet Storytime cohort, which supports puppet artists in gaining new skills in puppet- and mask-making while providing opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing with other artists; Puppet Clinic, which provides new and established puppet artists with the opportunity to learn and practice skills in puppet repair; artist residencies for performing companies in need of practice or stage spaces; and festivals and workshops throughout the year.
New and pilot programs: With your support, we are able to build and sustain new and innovative programming that furthers our mission of bringing the joy and magic of puppetry performance and education to all. For example, in the summer of 2025, HOBT will launch our first week-long camp designed for neurodivergent children and youth. Small classes with more teaching artists and staff will support the sensory, motor, and language needs of participants as they learn puppetry making, hone performance skills, and gain experience engaging with others in a sensory-supportive environment.