Celebrating a Legacy, Sustaining a Future
Denyce Graves’ farewell performance marks a historic moment and a powerful celebration of an extraordinary career. While the curtain has closed on this chapter, Denyce’s impact continues far beyond the stage.
As she steps into an exciting new phase, Denyce continues to lead the Foundation with the same passion, vision, and commitment that have defined her life’s work. Celebrating a Legacy, Sustaining a Future is a $2 million fundraising campaign dedicated to carrying her influence forward and ensuring access to music and arts education for generations to come.
The Four Acts of a Legacy
This campaign is built around The Four Acts of a Legacy, four interconnected phases that honor Denyce Graves’ enduring impact through an investment in the future of the arts. Together, the four acts form a $2 million investment in sustaining her legacy and expanding access to music and arts education.
The campaign will unfold one act at a time, beginning with Act I: The Voice, our first $500,000 goal. Each act invites patrons to take part in a meaningful chapter of this journey, helping build momentum and ensuring that Denyce’s influence continues to inspire generations to come.
Act I: The Voice- $500,000
Honoring Denyce’s unparalleled artistry and legendary career, this act celebrates the voice that captivated audiences on the world’s greatest stages and inspired countless artists to find their own.
Act II: The Mentorship- $500,000
Supporting education, training, and meaningful opportunities for emerging artists, this act helps sustain and expand programs like Shared Voices and Generational Voices, which foster artistic growth, intergenerational learning, and access to transformative music education. Through mentorship and community, this act ensures Denyce’s commitment to uplifting the next generation of artists and leaders continues to resonate.
Act III: The Leadership- $500,000
Advancing Denyce’s vision beyond the stage, this act strengthens the Foundation itself by investing in strategic growth, partnerships, and advocacy. It supports the systems, leadership development, and organizational capacity needed to expand the Foundation’s reach and ensure its programs remain impactful, resilient, and responsive to the communities it serves.
Act IV: The Future- $500,000
Focused on long-term sustainability, this act secures the resources needed to preserve Denyce’s legacy while opening doors for future generations to experience the transformative power of the arts.
Together, these four acts form a $2 million commitment to celebrating a remarkable legacy while building what comes next.
Why This Campaign Matters
Denyce Graves’ influence has always extended beyond performance. Through mentorship, leadership, and advocacy, she has opened doors for countless artists and inspired communities around the world. This campaign ensures that her work continues to resonate in classrooms, on stages, and within communities for years to come.
Every gift plays a role in sustaining this legacy.
How You Can Support the Legacy
Your generosity helps expand access to arts education, nurture emerging talent, and secure the future of the Foundation’s mission.
Join us in celebrating a legacy and sustaining a future!