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Guelph Jazz Festival year-end appeal

Banner year for festival, but we still need your help

Would you take a moment this holiday season to remember the Guelph Jazz Festival when making plans for your charitable donations? We'll make it easy for you: click here to make a secure online payment right now, or see below for other payment options.

You will receive a charitable receipt in the new year for any donation over $25, which you can apply to your 2008 income tax return, plus you'll gain a 2009 membership in the Guelph Jazz Festival, with recognition in our upcoming progam.

Why are we asking for your support now?

The 2008 Festival was a resounding success, with 14,000 people enjoying dozens of concerts and over 20 hours of free programming. But it was expensive to mount as well. You may not know that only a minority of the Festival's costs are covered by ticket sales. We rely on government, corporate and community support for the remainder, including potential individual donors like yourself.

Your contribution will help support one of Canada's most influential music festivals in providing innovative, non-mainstream jazz programming next year. And it also creates year-long opportunities for learning and cultural expression:

• Jazz throughout the year: our Three Thursdays, off-season concert series
• Jazz as a teacher: our February Jazz in the School program, bringing free jazz instruction to high school and university students each spring
• Jazz as community engagement: new at this year's festival, we hope to continue our partnership with KidsAbility of Guelph for children and young adults with developmental disabilities
• Jazz for free: our 12 hours of free jazz programming at the tent was a hit, and we need your help to repeat it in 2009

Jazz for Christmas anyone?

At this holiday season, it's the perfect time to give the gift of jazz to a friend or family member by making a donation in their name. In addition, memberships start at only $25 per year, making them an easy, affordable and thoughtful gift to give.

Payment can be made either by a secure online transaction, by cheque, or by calling our office to pay by credit card over the phone (contact information at right).

For those of you who have already contributed by giving a donation or becoming a member, we offer our heartfelt thanks. Of course, if you can give again, this would help us immensely.

So, if you can, please give generously. We thank you for your support and encourage you to share this message with anyone who may wish to support the Guelph Jazz Festival, by clicking the "Forward to a Friend" button.