{"value"=>"<p>The records of the Development Office of the New York Shakespeare Festival reflect the origins, establishment and fundraising activities of the office between 1954 and 1989. The records include correspondence, memoranda, donor dossiers, meeting agenda, form letters, mailing lists, press releases, guest lists, attendance lists, invitation lists, seating charts, form letters, grant files, budgets, and clippings. The earliest records are solicitation letters by Papp to various political officials, executives, society people, and theater and movie professionals. There are many letters of support to Papp regarding free Shakespeare and a permanent home in Central Park. Notable correspondents include John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier, Tony Randall, and Julie Harris.</p> <p>NYSF actively coordinated fundraising events to promote the Festival's activities, to win financial support from donors, and to recruit new ones. The opening of an NYSF show or an emergency fundraising campaign, such as those that accompanied New York City fiscal crises, often occasioned fundraising events. Papp received much support from the New York City Mayors Wagner and Lindsay. Papp formed the Mayor's Committee for Free Shakespeare in 1960. The Committee, which met regularly to plan fundraising events, was comprised of and chaired by members of the Board of Trustees. Members, their wives, and other society people helped to bring in new donors. They hosted receptions in their homes, in restaurants, and even in Gracie Mansion to plan for fundraising campaigns and arrange NYSF events. During the late 1950's and early 1960's Joseph Papp, with the help of Herta Danis, developed a donor base of foundations, corporations, and individuals. In the 1970's a more systematic approach was taken in maintaining and monitoring donations. The Development Office was established to organize and facilitate communication with patrons, founders, benefactors, and other members of the \"honor roll\". There was a dedicated effort to win pledges from individuals attending performances and to sign up subscribers and sponsors.</p> <p>An increase in grant writing is evident during the 1970's. The grant files show how, each year, the NYSF described its own mission and role in society. The files also reveal the NYSF's increasing interest in producing original musical theater, especially during the eighties. There are voluminous files of correspondence, grant files and proposals to foundations, corporations, and government sources. The files even contain personal appeals from Papp to individuals, such as LuEsther Mertz.</p>"}