Actor Jesse Eisenberg has a history of philanthropy work in arts education and environmentalism. This semester, he is expanding his activism to a nonprofit organization in Bloomington.
Eisenberg has collaborated with Middle Way House to raise funds for sexual assault and domestic violence. Donations from IU student groups to the “I’m With Jesse” campaign will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, by Eisenberg. The campaign is open from now until April 3. Students interested in participating can register at imwithjesse.org.
“The Middle Way House seems to me to be growing in exactly the right ways and it is very much a model organization,” Eisenberg said. “I’ve never seen an organization so efficient and responsible with its funds and I felt it was a wonderful cause.”
Middle Way House was founded in 1971 and helps with housing, employment, child care and other needs for women affected by sexual assault and domestic violence. It also advocates for awareness of these issues.
Eisenberg said he was introduced to Middle Way House through Bloomington resident Anna Strout, whom he met 15 years ago. Strout is the daughter of Toby Strout, Middle Way House’s executive director.
“Jesse’s visited a few times and this summer he came on a tour of our facilities and our mission and that’s where this all started,” said Jim Davis, Middle Way House’s fund development coordinator. “His excitement and willingness to provide and participate on behalf of Middle Way House is thrilling to us.”
Eisenberg’s personal ties to Middle Way House are the primary reason for his involvement in Bloomington, he said. Though he has done other charity and philanthropic works, this is his first involvement with sexual assault and domestic violence.
Eisenberg said though he doesn’t think he’s earned the right to be an advocate for these issues, he feels to not help would be a missed opportunity.
“There are all sorts of odd consequences that come from having a public persona, but this certainly isn’t one of them,” Eisenberg said. “It’s one of the perks to be able to pick a cause you care about for any reason and really try to help.”
Money raised during the campaign will go toward paying off the mortgage on Middle Way House’s New Wings facility, which houses administrative offices and hotline services. The building was opened in 2010 as Middle Way House expanded its services, Davis said.
“It would be an incredible thing to retire that mortgage,” Toby Strout said.
“To have every part of our funds go towards our services instead of having to send a chunk of it off to the bank — that would be amazing.”
At the end of the campaign, there will be a drawing for prizes, including a private movie screening with Eisenberg, dinner with Eisenberg and autographed merchandise from “Batman v. Superman,” Eisenberg’s upcoming movie.
Student groups will get one drawing entry for every $100 donated.
There will also be a grand prize for the student group that donates the greatest amount of money.
IU students helped develop the details of the contest, Davis said.
“These students were extremely important to the project because it’s not something I could have conceived of at all,” Eisenberg said. “I have no idea how student groups at colleges work. So it’s cool that their idea, which I wouldn’t have expected, has turned into such a big project.”
The partnership with students for the fundraiser reflects Middle Way House’s own relationship with IU, Toby Strout said.
IU provides resources for Middle Way House and students are also often victims of sexual assault and domestic violence whom Middle Way House serves, she said.
The connection between Middle Way House’s mission and the college student demographic made the planning of the fundraising campaign come naturally, Eisenberg said.
He said he might consider doing more service and philanthropy work for sexual assault and domestic violence in the future.
“It seems like 90 percent of my public life is trying to conjure up more excitement to talk about a movie I did a year or so ago,” Eisenberg said. “So while this cause is new and sort of strange for me, it’s something more immediate and important, and it is work that feels valuable to me.”
