Our Annual Appeal...

Donations to Pro Portsmouth may be forwarded to:

Pro Portsmouth, Inc.
P.O. Box 967
Portsmouth NH 03802

Pro Portsmouth Announces First Annual Appeal: "$30K for 30 Years" 

PORTSMOUTH, N.H., October 9, 2006-Pro Portsmouth, the city's most prominent arts, culture, history, and community events organization, is issuing its first annual appeal on the eve of its 30-year anniversary. Since its inception in 1977, the not-for-profit group has created, managed, and implemented many Portsmouth event traditions including Market Square Day, Children's Day, First Night® Portsmouth, and Summer in the Street.

The organization, solely dependent on the sponsorships and donations of area businesses, is now reaching out to the community it has served for support. "This is not a membership drive," explains Executive Director Barbara Massar. "We have not been, and do not intend to become, membership-driven. The '$30K for 30' Appeal is a voluntary ask. Because the strength of Pro Portsmouth has always been its inclusive community nature, we're hoping the community will give back in that same spirit."

In 1978, and for several years after, groups all over the State who focused attention and energy on their Central Business Districts, received funding. Festivals such as Portsmouth's Market Square Day received money because it drew people into the newly refurbished Market Square. But for the past 25 plus years, all expenses, administration, City services-everything necessary to produce Market Square Day and its "sibling events" have come from sponsorships.

For this reason, Pro Portsmouth is creating a separate fund focused on maintaining the integrity of the organization's infrastructure. All Annual Appeal donations will go directly toward that fund to ensure these well-known and widely attended Portsmouth community events can continue.

The "$30K for 30" Annual Appeal is currently underway, and Appeal packets have been sent out to more than 1,000 friends of the organization. But support is still needed. To receive an Annual Appeal packet, or to donate, please contact Liz Rubin at 603-610-5530.

About Pro Portsmouth, Inc
Pro Portsmouth, Inc. is a 501c (3) organization serving the Seacoast area. Its Mission is to promote the arts, culture, history, and community of the area through such events as Children's Day, Market Square Day, Summer in the Street, and First Night® Portsmouth. For more information on the group, including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.proportsmouth.org