By Jessica Owen

July 30, 2010 — Attleboro-based Triboro Youth Theater won $20,000 after placing 108th out of more than half a million charities competing in a Facebook contest sponsored by JPMorgan Chase.

The Chase Community Giving contest on Facebook was open to nonprofit organizations nationwide that have $1 million or less in annual operating expenses. Chase donated a total of $5 million to the top 200 nonprofit organizations, including a grand prize donation of $1 million to Invisible Children.

The contest began in mid-June and concluded July 12, but members of Triboro Youth Theater (TYT) did not learn about the contest until just days before the deadline. A cast member for TYT’s latest show, Les Miserables, was asked to vote for a different nonprofit when he realized TYT had its own page, said Vivian K. Humphrey, TYT’s artistic director and founder.

“I thought we didn’t have a chance at all, but I said if they want to vote, go ahead,” said Humphrey.

After only two days of voting, TYT moved up to 275th place.

“That’s when we all realized it could actually work,” Humphrey added.

The contest’s requirements stated potential voters must be individually notified to cast a vote for TYT; mass messages were prohibited, Humphrey said. She and other TYT members emailed, text messaged, and notified everyone they could urging them to use Facebook to vote for their organization. By the night before the contest concluded, TYT moved up to 232nd place.

Humphrey said the money earned from the Community Giving contest will go toward expanding TYT’s programming next year, adding staff, and awarding scholarships.

Founded in 1996, TYT’s mission is to provide cultural enrichment for people, who range from four years old through seniors in high school, through the performing arts. Triboro Youth Theatre is a production-based group, and utilizes an effective "learn by doing" approach through collaboration with professional staff and artists.