Campaign Exceeds $50 Million Goal for Capital Improvements and Endowment to Benefit Patrons, Artists, and the Community
Landmark achievement announced and celebrated at the 2023 Wolf Trap Ball
Vienna, Virginia (September 26, 2023) – Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts announced the conclusion of the Campaign for Wolf Trap: Our Next Chapter on Saturday, September 23 at the Wolf Trap Ball. Inspired by its 50th anniversary, the Campaign went public two years ago with a goal of $50 million for capital projects and endowment to strengthen Wolf Trap for its artists, audiences, and visitors. At the black-tie event, Wolf Trap Ball and Campaign Co-Chairs Hillary Baltimore and Karen Schaufeld announced that the Campaign raised an unprecedented $75 million. The achievement marks the most successful single fundraising initiative in Wolf Trap’s 52-year history. Funds raised through the Campaign will help ensure that Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts continues its mission for generations to come.
“This past weekend, we celebrated the conclusion of an amazing season and a historic period of philanthropic investment,” said Arvind Manocha, President & CEO of Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. “The Campaign for Wolf Trap, Our Next Chapter—the largest initiative Wolf Trap has ever undertaken—raised $75 million in donations, and we have immense gratitude for the more than 2,500 donors who stepped forward during this milestone campaign to ensure Wolf Trap is forever.”
Nearly 800 guests celebrated the end of Wolf Trap’s summer season and the historic fundraising achievement at the 2023 Wolf Trap Ball, held onstage at the Filene Center. The theme for this year’s celebration was The Golden Hour, inspired by the magical pre-concert moment when the sun sets over the Filene Center. The event’s highlight was the grand announcement of the successful completion of the Foundation’s fundraising campaign and its positive impact.
Karen Schaufeld noted, “Through the Campaign, the Wolf Trap experience is even brighter, and more golden, because of so many in this room who value music, nature, and community.” Hillary Baltimore added, “This is a historic milestone for any organization, and we are grateful and proud of the strength and accessibility this campaign has set in place for generations to come.”
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who attended with First Lady and Honorary Chair of Wolf Trap's Associates Board, Suzanne S. Youngkin, delivered remarks during the event. He commended Wolf Trap's magical summer season and extended congratulations to the Foundation on exceeding its campaign fundraising goal.
Additional notable guests included U.S. Senator Mark Warner and Representative Gerry Connolly, members of the Virginia General Assembly, as well as philanthropic leaders and executives from across the region. The program began with a stirring medley of “America the Beautiful,” “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” and the National Anthem arranged by Dan Brown and performed by Shannon Jennings, alumna of Wolf Trap Opera’s Studio and Filene Artist training programs.
During the celebratory evening, the Filene Center stage was transformed with golden and jewel-toned décor and florals by Design Foundry, Flowers at 38, and lighting by EventEQ. Guests enjoyed cocktails and cuisine from Occasions Catering, creative entertainers from Carbone Entertainment, a puppy wellness lounge in partnership with Wolf Trap Animal Rescue, and live music by the Skyline Band.
The annual Wolf Trap Ball benefits the Foundation’s renowned arts and education programs, including the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts and Wolf Trap Opera. This year’s Ball supporters included official event sponsor Capital One; presenting sponsor MicroStrategy; dance party sponsor Cherry Bekaert; host sponsors The Boeing Company, Hillary and Tom Baltimore, Margaret and Shashikant Gupta, Karen and Fred Schaufeld, and Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin.
2023 Wolf Trap Ball Diamond Sponsors were:
Patrice Brickman Deloitte
Leo and Mary Fox Frontier Technology, Inc.
Kim Engel Haber and Brett Haber Kearney & Company
Sue J. Henry and Carter G. Phillips KPMG
Sudhakar and Alka Kesavan L.F. Jennings
Nancy Laben and Jon Feiger Northrop Grumman
The Robbins Family PwC LLP
Todd and Elaine Stottlemyer SOSi
Pat and Annie Pacious/Choice Hotels Washington Gas
Acentra Health Washington Harbour Partners
The Campaign for Wolf Trap: Our Next Chapter was led by Dan and Gayle D’Aniello and 10 other visionary Campaign donors: Jacqueline B. Mars, Lincoln and Therese Filene Foundation, Hillary and Tom Baltimore, Shashikant and Margaret Gupta, Gary D. Mather and Christina Co Mather, Karen and Fred Schaufeld, John and Susie King, Matt Korn and Cindy Miller, Jean and Ric Edelman, and Anne R. Kline and Geoffrey Pohanka.
Funds raised through the Campaign strengthen Wolf Trap Foundation’s endowment, the bedrock of support that fuels all of the Foundation’s mission-based programs, while also supporting capital improvements at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. Projects completed through the Campaign to date include stunning backstage artist areas, a state-of-the-art sound system, four newly constructed Pavilions, a redesigned seating configuration at the Filene Center, and the Meadow Overlook picnic terraces. These projects will make Wolf Trap more welcoming, encourage year-round visitorship, enhance the Park’s physical beauty, and increase accessibility for all patrons.
High-resolution images of the Wolf Trap Ball are available here.
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About Wolf Trap
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, produces and presents a full range of performance and education programs in the Greater Washington area, as well as nationally. Wolf Trap features three performance venues: the outdoor Filene Center and Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, both located at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and The Barns at Wolf Trap, located down the road from the national park and adjacent to the Center for Education at Wolf Trap. The 7,028-seat Filene Center is operated in partnership with the National Park Service and annually showcases an extensive array of diverse artists, ranging from pop, country, folk, and blues to classical music, dance, and theatre, as well as multimedia presentations, from May through September. The Barns at Wolf Trap is operated by Wolf Trap Foundation year-round, and during the summer months is home to the Grammy-nominated Wolf Trap Opera, one of America’s outstanding professional training programs for early career opera singers. Wolf Trap’s education programs include the nationally acclaimed Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, a diverse array of arts education classes, grants, and a nationally recognized internship program.
Media Contacts (not for publication):
Morgan Elwell, Media Relations Manager, O) 703.255.4096 or morgane@wolftrap.org
Sandra Rodriguez, Director of Communications, M) 202.486.7956 or sandrar@wolftrap.org