An online fundraiser launched last summer to replace the Rose Theatre’s aging projector fleet has raised nearly $105,000 of its $150,000 goal, with contributions from 769 donors. 

The success has earned the historic and well-loved theater a spot as a “standout fundraiser” in the state for 2024, wrote Jeff Platt, a spokesperson for GoFundMe.

Other top fundraisers in the state include one for the staff of Tacoma’s Howdy Bagel, raising $303,125 after co-owner Jacob Carter was killed in New Orleans in January 2024, and another for the family of a boat captain from Woodland who drowned near Hood River, Oregon, in September, raising $257,189.

“What we’ve really seen in the last six months is an outpouring of community support,” said George Marie, one of the theater’s owners. “People have really shown up in a big way, far beyond just giving dollars.”

The fundraiser was prompted by the failure of the projector in the Rose Auditorium, one of the ground-floor theaters, over the summer. 

“When that went down, we knew we were in trouble,” Marie said. “It wasn’t only that the servers went out; it was that attendance in theater’s was at an all-time low.”

Within twelve hours of launching, the campaign raised enough money to replace the auditorium’s server, providing a temporary solution to the failed projector, while the theater continued its fundraising efforts. 

“What we tried to do with the GoFundMe is just to inspire people,” Marie said. “Donations are great, thank you so much. But even if you can’t donate, just come to the movies more often. Be adventurous in your movie-going. Try films you wouldn’t usually watch.”

Encouraged by their quick success, the theater increased its fundraising goal to $150,000 to aid in the complete replacement of its projectors. 

“We wanted to roll on the momentum because we know there’s going to come a time where these projectors break down and we wanted to get ahead of it.” 

A Dec. 22 update on GoFundMe revealed that the theater had purchased and received a $65,000 Barco 4k Laser Projector for the Rose Auditorium. 

“The new projector will be much brighter and more energy-efficient than the old one. It’ll also give us true black, more color saturation, and better detail,” Marie said. “It’s a huge upgrade.”

The money left after the theater purchased the servers and the projector will be used for installation, labor and new carpet in the projector room.

A week-long temporary closure for the installation of the new projector and new carpet is expected sometime in March or April, Marie said. 

The fundraiser will remain open. Any additional funds will go toward the purchase of new projectors.