The Santa Clarita Shakespeare Festival received word that it is the recipient of a generous grant from the Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation.

The grant is in support of the free and educational programs provided by Shakespeare Festival, including the free Shakespeare in the Park, the free High School Apprentice Summer Program, and an annual tour of Romeo & Juliet for local 9th grade students.

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The grant is a matching grant, which challenges the SCSF to raise matching funds.  If their fund raising goal is not matched, the festival does not receive the grant.

“We are very excited by this opportunity.” Say David Stears, the company’s Founder and Executive Director.  “We will be knocking on doors, and asking a lot of people to help us meet this challenge.”

The San Francisco-based foundation was created in 1963 by fourth-generation descendants of California entrepreneur and pioneer, Henry Mayo Newhall.  The Foundation’s endowment is the result of contributions from members of the Newhall family.

The Foundation’s purpose is to fund projects that exemplify the life and goals of Henry Mayo Newhall, as summarized in its mission statement: “To improve the quality of life within the geographical areas associated with the career and legacy of California pioneer Henry Mayo Newhall.”

Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded grants to more than 100 organizations in communities where Mr. Newhall originally established his businesses, or where those enterprises are active today.  The Foundation has focused its grant-giving on projects in the San Francisco area (where Mr. Newhall founded his first business ventures), the Valencia/Santa Clarita area in northern Los Angeles County (location of the Newhall Ranch), and the Santa Maria area on the Central California coast (the site of his first large rancho).

Be on the look out as Shakespeare will be making the rounds in our community as they fund raise for the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of MACBETH, and the free high school apprentice program.

For more information about the Santa Clarita Shakespeare Festival, visit www.scshakespearefest.org.