Written by Norbert McGettiggan
The Fine Arts Center (FAC) and Colorado College received $3.5 million in grants earlier this month following the announcement of a new alliance between CC and the FAC.
The contributions came from the John E. and Margaret L. Lane Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Marie Walsh Sharpe Foundation. The money will go towards the new CC/FAC endowment, helping to create new learning opportunities and enriching arts programs for the community of Colorado Springs.
After 10 months of discussion, CC and the FAC agreed on a new partnership in late August. Starting Sept. 1, 2016, CC took over management responsibilities. Despite the change of management, the goals and integrity of the FAC will remain the same. As part of the agreement, the FAC’s endowment should reach $45 million by 2020, more than triple of what it is currently.
“This alliance is a true win-win-win for the FAC, CC, and the community,” said Erin Hannan, Executive Director of Advancement at the FAC. “There is a real benefit to producing an operational structure that achieves key Colorado College and FAC strategic objectives while solidifying a community goal of a sustainable, ongoing commitment to community fine arts programming.”
Some of the objectives of CC include fostering a sense of place and providing unique learning opportunities for students. For the FAC, the alliance will help create long-term sustainability and new arts experiences for the community.
Of the contributors, the John E. and Margaret L. Lane Foundation gave the largest grant of $2 million. Established a year and a half ago, the foundation is committed to supporting the needs of the Springs and leading the way in stimulating community engagement. The money will go into the permanent endowment, now held by CC, for the exclusive support of the FAC.
“Their family, you know, really talks about how they made their money in Colorado Springs, and they want to see things happening in Colorado Springs,” said Tony Rosendo, Executive Director of the Lane Foundation and a Colorado College trustee. “The gift to the FAC and CC is part of that story.”
Currently, Colorado Springs has the highest per-capita nonprofits in the country and some of the lowest philanthropic activity. The Lane Foundation hopes that their grant, along with their involvement elsewhere in the Springs, will help foster an environment with a community foundation.
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, which is based out of New York, aims to support the contributions of the humanities and the arts to the prosperity and well-being of humans and democratic societies. This foundation granted $1.2 million. The money will support a focus on the arts and culture of the Southwest, as well as expand CC’s academic connections with the interdisciplinary arts.
The Marie Walsh Sharpe Foundation in Colorado Springs also donated $330,000 to the FAC. The foundation has provided scholarship funds for students excelling in the visual arts who are financially unable to pursue higher education. The board decided earlier this year to close the foundation and disperse the remaining funds to like-minded arts programs, and their gift will be used to fund scholarships.
The FAC believes that the future holds increased community investment, in line with the Lane Foundation’s vision. “The recent alliance with CC was a major contributing factor in the awarding of these major grants,” said Hannan. “We expect to see additional funding of this type in the future, from both individuals and foundations.”