About Roanoke Cultural Endowment
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 within 10 years. 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
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
Roanoke’s Art & Culture Organizations
5 Points Music Foundation
Center in the Square
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
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
Thunder of Roanoke
Virginia Children’s Theatre
Virginia Museum of Transportation
Staff & Board of Directors
Technology has made talent mobile. Talent is attracted to cities with vibrant cultures. Economic development occurs when cities have a strong workforce. Investments in creative initiatives can spur growth. The Roanoke Cultural Endowment exists to foster and facilitate this growth in Roanoke.
Shaleen Powell
Executive Director
David Wine
Chairman of the Board
Katherine Fralin
Secretary
Lucas Thorton
Treasurer
Cheryl Mosley
Board Member
Sarah Tune Doherty
Board Member
William D. Elliot
Board Member
Nancy O. Gray
Board Member
Sherman P. Lea Jr.
Board Member
