2 minute read
CREATING LEGACY TO ENSURE A BRIGHT FUTURE
Verb Ballets was honored to receive a gift from Kenneth Milder, longtime supporter of the company, to establish the first endowment fund for the organization. The Verb Ballets Endowment Fund was set up through the Cleveland Foundation. Different from an annual fund that supports yearly operations, the endowment fund grows in perpetuity as an investment and allows a non-profit to take a portion of the interest earned each year. In short, it helps to strengthen an organization financially by diversifying its income to ride the tides of economic challenges.
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What inspired you to create the endowment fund? On the surface a dancer’s life appears glamorous. I know this because two of my dearest childhood friends, including Maggi, made it their career as dancers. I have seen their reality, in the hard work, long hours, dedication to make it for very little pay. Developing their talent to a level of acceptance by a ballet company typically requires struggle. I witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by those who bring us their talent and beauty through their art.
What has inspired your sense of philanthropy? As a child, theatre was my refuge; a safe place away from my own homelife challenges. It was also in theatre that I created life-long friendships that shaped my personal philanthropic goals. As fate would have it, I did not stay in the performing arts, although I had apprenticed in technical theatre at The Santa Fe Opera. Perhaps I didn’t share the courage to pursue such a challenging career path in the arts. Nonetheless, I have been blessed with a wonderful 38-year career at the New Mexico’s Los Alamos National Laboratory. Now as a retiree from a prestigious national laboratory, it has afforded me the opportunity to give back to my beloved performing arts.
Why would you encourage people to contribute to the endowment? The arts help push the frontiers of human knowledge and achievement. In this era of tight budgets, where funding for arts and humanities is first on the chopping block of school and college education, our support is more critical than ever. My hope is that you, too, recognize the importance of having arts and humanities in our lives and share in creating a legacy of support through this endowment. Will you join me?
