The West Newton Cinema Foundation, which was created to save the theater from demolition, has announced a $5.2 million gift from an anonymous donor, the Boston Globe reports.

Dedicated to the foundation’s overall campaign, the gift includes $3.2 million toward purchase of the theater, $200,000 toward any expenses that may be incurred, and up to $2 million in matching funds to incentivize support from other donors. The foundation aims to raise $14 million: $5.6 million to purchase the theater, $4.4 million for renovations and restorations, and another $4 million toward endowed funds for facility care and programming.

While unique, the plan to save the theater was inspired in part by a similar approach to maintain the Coolidge Corner Theatre, which adopted a nonprofit model in 1989. The West Newton Cinema Foundation was organized by Newton residents at the end of 2022 and kicked off a two-phase capital fundraising campaign in April 2023 to meet its goal.

“We really feel that the theater has a lot to offer the entire Greater Boston area to add to the arts and culture scene to revitalize this corner of Newton and bring more foot traffic for local businesses,” foundation president Elizabeth Heilig told the Globe.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Michael Warren)