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Ford’s Theatre draws on our rich history while embracing transformative progress. The Lincoln’s Legacy, Our Legacy: Ford’s Theatre’s Campaign for the Future will provide the means for Ford’s to advance our work and actively demonstrate the continuing relevancy of President Abraham Lincoln’s values and ideas.
In the new Frances and Craig Lindner Center for Culture and Leadership, we will draw on our strengths as a working theatre and the power of our historical identity to cultivate vital voices from artists, scholars, educators and students as they explore elements of President Abraham Lincoln’s leadership. By supporting this campaign, donors may choose to link their name and their legacy with Ford’s Theatre and the legacy of President Lincoln.
Ford’s Theatre Society Director’s Programming Fund
Paul R. Tetreault has reached a 20-year milestone as Director of Ford’s Theatre Society (FTS). Ford’s Trustees and leadership donors are creating a Director’s Programming Fund as part of the Lincoln’s Legacy, Our Legacy: Ford’s Theatre’s Campaign for the Future.
With the establishment of this quasi-endowed fund, the Director will have access to resources for priority projects and leadership initiatives to further advance Ford’s mission and Lincoln’s unfinished work. Priority programming could include support for artistic projects; piloting and expansion of educational initiatives; investment in community partnerships; tools to enhance audience accessibility, diversification and engagement; training and capacity building for the next generation of arts and culture administrators.
Over the past 20 years, Paul’s leadership has delivered:
- The National Medal of Arts in 2008, the highest award given by the U.S. government to artists, arts institutions and arts patrons
- Grand reopening of renovated theatre and museum in celebration of the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth (2009)
- Construction and grand opening of the Center for Education and Leadership with extensive Aftermath Exhibitions (2012)
- Overnight vigil and public events to commemorate the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln’s assassination (2015)
- President Lincoln’s Legacy as FTS’s North Star
- More than doubled the size of FTS’s operating budget from 2004 to 2024 season
- Commissioned new plays like The Guard as well as Lincoln-based world premieres such as The Heavens Are Hung In Black, Necessary Sacrifices and The Widow Lincoln
- Produced 10 world premiere productions
- Come From Away East Coast premiere, ahead of its Broadway run and Tony Award win for Best Direction of a Musical in 2017
- Focus on growth and diversification of FTS Board of Trustees
- Guidance and leadership through pandemic and return to in-person operations
- Launched The Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commissions, an unprecedented artistic initiative helping to define the future of the American Theatre
Benefits of Giving
| Campaign Giving Levels | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Gifts of $25,000* | Commemorative Ford’s Theatre China Plate with the Lincoln Administration pattern |
| Gifts of $5,000* | Commemorative item featuring Avis Collins Robinson’s Lincoln Portrait on display in the Ford’s lobby |
| Gifts of $2,500 | Invitation to a Special Performance and Reception in the New Building (date to be announced) |
| Gifts of $1,000* | Commemorative Ford’s Theatre Coin |
| Gifts of $500 and up | Donor Recognition on Campus Banner (gifts made by 12/31/2024) |
| Gifts of $250 and up | Donor Recognition on our website and invitation to Open House Breakfast in the New Building |
Naming Opportunity
Gifts of $30,000* can be directed towards naming a stair in the Book Tower spiral staircase located within the Ford’s Theatre Center for Education and Leadership. This is a discreet naming opportunity that will not include other tangible benefits. Limited number of stairs are available for naming.
Gifts of $5,000 or more can be pledged over multiple years with max of 5 years.
*Donors will receive select event invitations and recognition benefits associated with lower levels of giving but are only eligible for one tangible gift item as associated with highest level of giving. Please contact the Ford’s Theatre Development Team at campaign@fords.org or (202) 434-9545 (Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) if you have any questions.