About Roanoke Cultural Endowment

We believe in the arts + culture in Roanoke and we are committed to engaging Roanoke in a shared vision for the City and driving support for arts and culture. Support for the Roanoke Cultural Endowment reaches beyond local arts & culture and is an investment in a sustainable future of economic health and vitality for Roanoke.

Our Mission is to cultivate a legacy of stability, engagement, and vitality for arts and culture in the City of Roanoke through advocacy and grant making. 

What is the Roanoke Cultural Endowment?

The Roanoke Cultural Endowment is a non-profit community endowment formed in January 2015 by resolution from Roanoke City Council as a private-public fund comprised of both city dollars and private dollars.
Our vision is to foster a vibrant community where arts and culture are accessible to all and valued as a critical component of a healthy economy and region, today and for future generations.

Our goal is to raise $20 million through public and private contributions. The endowment will award grants to arts & cultural organizations once the endowment reaches $20 million. Fundraising will continue perpetually.

Our Values:

  • Collaboration
  • Inclusion
  • Integrity
  • Stewardship
  • Sustainability

Helpful Resources

RCE Brochure
RCE Timeline
One-Line Logos
Stacked Logos

Helpful Links

Financials / Reports

Sustainable Support for Arts & Culture Organizations in Roanoke

Operational grants will be granted in 3-year cycles to allow for predictability, stability, and accountability; our ultimate goal is to supplement 25% of operating funds for grantees. Organizations must meet minimum eligibility requirements for funding consideration including the following:

  • Must be a registered 501(c)(3) organization.
  • Must be an arts and/or cultural organization.
  • Must be located in Roanoke City.
  • Must have a minimum 3-year record of continuous operation in the City of Roanoke
Contact us to learn More

Roanoke’s Art & Culture Organizations

5 Points Music Foundation

Center in the Square

CommUNITY Arts Reach

Cultural Arts for Excellence

Dr. Robert L.A. Keeley Healing Arts Program

Grandin Theatre

Harrison Museum of African American Culture

Historical Society of Western Virginia

Jefferson Center

Local Colors

Mill Mountain Theatre

Mill Mountain Zoo

Mish Moves Dance Company

Opera Roanoke

Roanoke Ballet Theatre

Roanoke Symphony Orchestra

Roanoke Valley Sister Cities

Science Museum of Western Virginia

Southwest Virginia Ballet

The Spot on Kirk

The Studio School

Taubman Museum of Art

Virginia Children’s Theatre

Virginia Museum of Transportation

* Listing is a sample of arts & culture nonprofit organizations in City of Roanoke.

Staff & Board of Directors

David Wine

Chairman of the Board

Katherine Fralin

Secretary

Lucas Thornton

Treasurer

Sarah Tune Doherty

Board Member

William D. Elliot

Board Member

Nancy O. Gray

Board Member

Sherman P. Lea Jr.

Board Member

Katherine F. Strickland

Board Member

Victoria Thornton

Board Member

David B. Trinkle

Board Member

Shaleen T. Powell

Executive Director

Isabelle Hill

Office Assistant

©2024 Roanoke Cultural Endowment. All rights reserved.