New Gift from The Leon Levine Foundation is the Largest Programmatic Gift in Blumenthal Arts' History
Sep 12, 2024 / Blog
Blumenthal Arts recently reached a new milestone. This summer, the not-for-profit received its largest programmatic gift in the organization’s 32 year history.
The funding boost comes from long-time supporter, The Leon Levine Foundation, which has pledged $450K over three years to support Blumenthal’s programs focused on driving community impact.
The Leon Levine Foundation (TLLF) has a lengthy and generous history of giving to Blumenthal Arts. It has contributed to Blumenthal and its resident companies since 1997.
In 2012, the foundation began providing significant programmatic grants to Blumenthal’s mission programs. It has supported major community-wide festivals like the Charlotte Jazz Festival, which animated the Levine Avenue of the Arts (named in homage to its founder) for three years, and the Charlotte International Arts Festival — which now takes place annually in locations across the city. Board designated gifts from TLLF have also provided extraordinary support to the annual Blumey Awards and Blumenthal’s education programming for many years.
With this latest grant, TLLF’s total giving history to Blumenthal Arts comes in at nearly $1 million.
“We have been long-time supporters of Blumenthal Arts because we believe in their ability to use the arts as a catalyst for education, economic growth, and outreach,” says Tom W. Lawrence III, president and CEO of The Leon Levine Foundation and CEO of the Levine family office.
(Tom W. Lawrence III, president and CEO of The Leon Levine Foundation and CEO of the Levine family office)
TLLF was started in 1980 by Leon Levine, an exceptional entrepreneur who opened his first Family Dollar store in Charlotte in the 1950s. Throughout his career, the chain expanded to include thousands of locations across the US.
“Mr. Levine decided his ‘second career’ would entail giving back to the individuals that helped his own entrepreneurial dream become a reality.”
Leon Levine passed away in 2023 but his legacy of generous giving continues. The fund is renowned throughout the Carolinas for its philanthropy in areas spanning education, healthcare, human services, and Jewish values.
“Ultimately, we aim to support organizations with strong leadership, a track record of success, and proven financial sustainability,” Lawrence says.
Blumenthal’s Vice President of Development Samantha Kowert says in communications with TLLF, the foundation’s confidence in Blumenthal President and CEO Tom Gabbard’s leadership and trust in Blumenthal’s team to effectively steward their funds are often noted as key factors in their support.
“As a funder in the Carolinas, TLLF has a front-row seat to the challenges facing our
communities. Often, the enormity of need is startling,” Lawrence says. “Our mission is to create pathways to self-sufficiency, and that starts with access. For people grappling with the unthinkable, the arts tend to feel inaccessible, but we know that the arts can be profoundly transformative. We’re committed to serving underserved populations, and Blumenthal Arts is helping us do just that.”
This year’s funds will be divided into two major community and educational initiatives, with $100K going toward the third annual Charlotte International Arts Festival (September 13 - 29, 2024) featuring hundreds of free art installations and performances in uptown Charlotte and Ballantyne’s Backyard.
The remaining $50K will go toward supporting Blumenthal’s “moon shot” initiative to bring 11,000 Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools 6th graders to see “Space Explorers: THE INFINITE” this fall at Blume Studios.
"We are grateful to The Leon Levine Foundation for their support in helping us bring high impact programs to our community," Blumenthals' Gabbard says. "The CIAF is a unique opportunity for families to enjoy exceptional creativity from international and local artists in free, outdoor locations close to home. Their support makes it possible for us to bring all CMS 6th graders to experience Space Explorers at the new Blume Studios.
"Through these experiences, young people will have unique opportunities to learn and be inspired by the achievements of others, and begin to shape a vision for their future."