Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Receives $2.5 Million from William Penn Foundation

Kimmel Center President and CEO Anne Ewers announced today that The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts has received a grant from the William Penn Foundation to be used primarily for general operating support with a small portion dedicated to capital expenditures. The two year gift of $2.5 million will be allocated for fiscal year 2012 and fiscal year 2013.

“Wearedeeply appreciative of the William Penn Foundation’s generous support of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts,” said Kimmel Center President and CEO Anne Ewers, “The Foundation’s support comes at a pivotal time, as performing arts organizations globally face a very challenging economic climate. This past year, the Kimmel Center experienced a dramatic reduction in funding from The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and has faced increased operational costs partly attributed to a labor strike and the subsequent negotiated collective bargaining agreement. We’ve also provided rent concessions to our Resident Companies. This grant will go a long way in helping us realize the full benefits of our earned-revenue business model.”

"The Kimmel Center has done an impressive job of planning a long-term fiscal strategy during a very difficult financial period for most cultural institutions," said Jeremy Nowak, president of the William Penn Foundation. "Perhaps as importantly, Anne and her team have provided extraordinary leadership in crafting a strategy that not only advances the Kimmel Center’s goals, but also takes the cultural community's needs into account.”

The Kimmel Center is one of 20 regional cultural institutions recently awarded $10.8 million in new grants.

The William Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, works to close the achievement gap for low-income children, ensure a sustainable environment, foster creativity that enhances civic life, and advance philanthropy in the Philadelphia region. With assets of nearly $2 billion, the Foundation distributes approximately $80 million in grants annually.

Kimmel Center, Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit organization, owns, manages, supports and maintains The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, Innovation Studio and the Merck Arts Education Center. Kimmel Center, Inc. also manages the Academy of Music, owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, and the University of the Arts Merriam Theater. Kimmel Center, Inc.,’ s mission is to operate a world class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience which includes providing arts in education, community outreach and a rich diversity of programming.