Dallas, September 6, 2025
News Summary
Stomping Ground Comedy Theater in Dallas is raising $15,000 on North Texas Giving Day to fund scholarships for comedy classes and the mental wellness program ‘Improv for Life.’ The fundraising event aims to support participants who would otherwise lack resources to take all five levels of improv classes. Contributions will also benefit caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s, neurodiverse participants, and those living with anxiety. The Giving Day event is scheduled for September 18.
Dallas
Stomping Ground Comedy Theater aims to raise $15,000 on North Texas Giving Day to fund scholarships and mental wellness programs
Stomping Ground Comedy Theater, Dallas’ only nonprofit theater dedicated to comedy, is seeking donations for North Texas Giving Day to support scholarships for comedy classes and a mental wellness initiative called Improv for Life. The theater has set a fundraising target of $15,000, with all proceeds designated for full and partial scholarships that will allow recipients to complete all five levels of improv classes at no cost. North Texas Giving Day 2025 is scheduled for September 18.
What the funds will support
Funds raised will support two primary areas: scholarship access to the theater’s multi-level improv training and the Improv for Life program. Scholarships cover up to five levels of improv training, enabling participants who might otherwise lack resources to advance to instructor and performer roles. The Improv for Life program centers on social-emotional learning and mental wellness, serving caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, neurodiverse adults and children, and people living with anxiety.
Programs and offerings
Stomping Ground offers a range of comedy activities and educational options. The theater teaches improvisation with an emphasis on building confidence, social connection, and comedic skills. Live performances produced by the organization include improv, stand-up, and sketch comedy. Classes are available for both adults and children across all experience levels, and the organization also offers corporate training and team-building workshops.
Program impact and accessibility
Improv for Life, led by Andrea K. Baum, is highlighted as a transformative element of the theater’s work. It provides structured experiences intended to improve mental wellness and social-emotional skills among target groups. The theater emphasizes accessibility and inclusion to ensure that a diverse range of voices is represented on stage. One example of program impact is a participant named Shenelle, who began at Level 1 and progressed through all five levels to become an instructor and performer.
Context: North Texas Giving Day and local funding
The theater’s fundraising drive aligns with the Communities Foundation of Texas annual North Texas Giving Day event. Since the event began, Communities Foundation of Texas reports having raised more than $634 million for the North Texas community. The 2024 Giving Day raised over $70 million, benefitting more than 3,200 area nonprofits. Stomping Ground previously received funding through the Communities Foundation that enabled scholarship distribution and program expansion.
Who benefits
Target beneficiaries include newcomers to comedy, students advancing through the theater’s five-level improv curriculum, caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, neurodiverse participants, and individuals managing anxiety. The theater’s scholarship model and program structure are intended to reduce financial barriers and increase participation across demographic groups. Corporate clients and teams also use the theater’s workshops for professional development and team building.
Operational notes and offerings
Classes run at multiple levels, from beginner to advanced, and are designed to develop acting skills, group collaboration, spontaneity, and confidence. Live shows produced by the theater provide performance opportunities for students and instructors. Corporate offerings focus on communication, trust-building, and collaborative problem solving using improv-based techniques.
Event and donation timeline
North Texas Giving Day is scheduled for September 18, 2025. Stomping Ground’s fundraising goal of $15,000 is earmarked specifically for scholarships and the Improv for Life initiative; funds are to be applied directly to program and participant support. The theater has previously received grant support through the Communities Foundation of Texas to expand access and develop scholarship offerings.
Next steps and contact information
The theater continues to enroll students in its classes and to operate Improv for Life programming while preparing for the Giving Day campaign. Interested parties can identify program dates, class schedules, and participation options through the theater’s published materials and event announcements.
FAQ
What is Stomping Ground Comedy Theater?
Stomping Ground is a nonprofit theater in Dallas focused on comedy education and live performance, offering improv, stand-up, sketch, and related classes and shows.
What is the fundraising goal for North Texas Giving Day?
The theater aims to raise $15,000 on North Texas Giving Day, with all proceeds funding scholarships for comedy classes and the Improv for Life program.
When is North Texas Giving Day 2025?
North Texas Giving Day 2025 is scheduled for September 18, 2025.
What is Improv for Life?
Improv for Life is a mental wellness and social-emotional learning program that serves caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, neurodiverse adults and children, and people living with anxiety.
Who can take classes at Stomping Ground?
Classes are offered for adults and children at every experience level, including beginners and advanced students. Corporate training and team-building workshops are also available.
How have past funds supported the theater?
Past funding from the Communities Foundation of Texas and related initiatives has enabled full and partial scholarships and supported programming growth, including Improv for Life.
Program Features and Funding Allocation (visual)
| Feature | Priority | Visual |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarships (all five levels) | High |
|
| Improv for Life (mental wellness) | High |
|
| Classes for adults & children | Medium |
|
| Corporate training & workshops | Medium |
|
Bar widths indicate relative emphasis within the fundraising and program priorities (visual approximation).
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