At CYT Nashville, our purpose remains unwavering: to develop character and creativity in children and teens through quality theater arts training that brings families and communities together while reflecting Jesus. In 2024–2025, even as we navigated financial and operational headwinds, we stayed true to our mission. Every rehearsal, every class, every show was a testament to our belief that young people grow in confidence, empathy, and excellence when they’re given a place to shine on and off stage. This year, our community showed up with resilience and faith—and we continued to build a foundation for long-term impact.

As we looked to prepare for the 2025-2026 budget, we were able to celebrate our wins from the 2024-2025 year. Below is a summary of our student engagement. 

Even with being blessed with continual growth, this was the first time in several years that CYT Nashville faced an anticipated operational loss. 

This year provided important clarity about both our challenges and our potential. While student enrollment continued to grow—a sign of continued demand and family engagement—our expenses rose significantly due to inflation, increased venue and production costs, and a growing investment in student experience. At the same time, revenue declined slightly, largely due to a dip in donor giving and a shift in registration patterns.

These trends affirmed two things: first, that families deeply value what CYT offers, and second, that we must grow our financial support systems to sustain this impact. We learned that tuition alone cannot carry the weight of our mission. It’s the generosity of donors, business sponsors, and volunteers that fuels the heart of CYT. Looking ahead, we’re focused on becoming more proactive with fundraising, expanding our donor community, and stewarding our resources with greater efficiency—so that we can continue to serve, grow, and thrive.

Based on our current “as-is” budget, CYT Nashville is projecting a nearly $70,000 loss for the 2025–2026 season. This expected shortfall is the result of several converging factors: rising performance venue and operational costs, a leveling off in student growth, and the absence of a consistent, reliable stream of donor support in our budget. While we continue to serve a strong and committed student base, these financial realities underscore the urgent need to build sustainable funding through increased giving, sponsorships, and community investment.

Because we are committed to stewarding CYT Nashville with wisdom and excellence—and because we do not want to face another year of financial loss—we are shifting our focus in 2025–2026 to prioritize sustainability. This year, we are committed to:

• Expanding our Business Sponsorship program
• Increasing Business Ad sales in show programs
• Promoting our Standing Ovation monthly donor initiative
• Actively pursuing grant opportunities
• Launching consistent fundraising campaigns throughout the year
• Evaluating costs while preserving the heart and quality of our programming

We know our mission is worth investing in. With intentional strategy and the faithful support of our CYT community, we believe we can turn the tide and build a stronger future together. 

With these efforts in place, we are proud to share that we have an approved 2025–2026 budget that reflects a goal to raise enough funds to fully cover our operating expenses—bringing us to a net breakeven for the year. 

CYT Nashville thrives because of people like you—families, alumni, businesses, and community members who believe in the power of the arts to shape lives. As we look ahead, your support is more vital than ever. Whether you give monthly through our Standing Ovation program, sponsor a show, purchase an ad, or make a one-time donation, every gift fuels our mission and helps us continue to provide a safe, Christ-centered space where students grow in confidence and creativity.

Help us reach our 2025–2026 goal of sustainability. Together, we can ensure that the show—and the impact—goes on.