Woodruff Arts Center gets ‘phenomenal’ $38 million gift

As an ultimate endorsement of its recent changes in governance and leadership, the Woodruff Arts Center is receiving the largest gift in its 46-year history–$38 million – from its top benefactor, the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation.

The grant will kick-start a fundraising campaign of at least $82 million aimed at boosting the Art Center's endowment by more than $50 million as well as investing $32 million in capital improvements – largely to completely transform the Alliance Theatre.

"It is a phenomenal gift," said Doug Hertz, chairman of the Arts Center board of trustees. "More than anything, it is a vote of confidence in the management and a vote of appreciation of the divisions, their artistic leadership and the art they have produced."

The Arts Center is the largest cultural consortium in the Southeast. It includes four divisions – the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Alliance Theatre, High Museum of Art and Arts for Learning.

Hertz said the real benefit of the gift is the example it sets by encouraging other donors. "It is a hell of a start because we frankly have so many needs," Hertz said. "It addresses to a large degree our highest priorities at this time, and it challenges the rest of the community to step up and support this cultural jewel of the Southeast."

Specifically, $25 million of the grant will go towards matching gifts for endowments of positions in the three major divisions – roughly $8 million for each – a gift especially significant for the Symphony.

In early November, the ASO musicians and management agreed to a four-year labor contract that included going from the existing 77 musicians to 81 musicians in year two; 84 musicians in year three; and 88 musicians in year four.

Maria Saporta covers non-profits and philanthropy