Rendering of the future flexible event space for larger on-site dinners, receptions and expanded public programming. Large empty room with recessed overhead lighting, carpeted floors and a wall featuring a floor to ceiling Abraham Lincoln portrait.
Rendering courtesy of OTJ Architects.

Campaign Progress

With the addition of the Frances and Craig Lindner Center for Culture and Leadership, the building across the street from Ford’s historic theatre and adjacent to our Center for Education and Leadership, Ford’s Theatre will unlock new possibilities for our entire campus and create a dynamic space that will embody Lincoln’s approach to learning and leadership through humility, empathy, creativity and courage. 

This $50 million campaign and campus expansion will allow us to connect with visitors in new and more engaging ways, enhance the theatre and history-interpreted experiences we offer audiences and accommodate more students and educators than ever before.  

Progress to Goal

Thanks to our generous donors we have reached 70% of our $50 million goal having secured gifts and commitments of $35.2 million to date.

Progress Photo Gallery

Photo of a roof construction site. A room with steel girders and no walls fills up most of the space.

Building out what will be the Merrill Family Foundation Terrace connecting the new event space overlooking the historic Ford’s Theatre. Photo courtesy of Consigli Construction.

Three people in hardhats works to build a concrete staircase at a construction site.

Progress on the stairs from the second floor to the third floor of the Frances and Craig Lindner Center for Culture and Leadership. Photo courtesy of Consigli Construction.

A man and a woman wearing yellow construction hats look across the street at the exterior of Ford's Theatre. Their backs are to the camera.

Photo by Jennifer Thomas.

Four construction workers stand in the middle of an active construction site, next to a red boom lift.

Photo courtesy of Consigli Construction.

Photo of the interior of a construction site.

Photo courtesy of Consigli Construction.