Arts of Collin County

COLLIN COUNTY, Texas – (May 8, 2009) -- As the Arts of Collin County BRAVO! Capital Campaign expands to the grassroots of the community; the ever important option of donating on-line is now available. Through a strategic partnership with the Communities Foundation of Texas, donors can visit artsofcollincounty.org and with one click on the DONATE NOW from the home page contribute any dollar amount to the capital campaign. Online giving has become a driving force in fundraising through social media events and providing donors, local and global, easy access to support worthy causes such as growing the arts by “clicking” on artsofcollincounty.org to enrich a dynamic area such as North Texas.

Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) based in Dallas, Texas has granted more than $1 Billion towards charitable causes since 1953. Communities Foundation of Texas is now one of the nation's largest community foundations, in terms of total assets, gifts received and grants awarded. To improve lives, Communities Foundation of Texas serves the community by investing wisely and making effective charitable grants. By bringing visionary philanthropists and worthy causes together, CFT supports nonprofit agencies in changing people’s lives for the better. This is accomplished through a variety of fund management tools. Beyond the funds managed by CFT, they have created several avenues for non-profits like the Arts of Collin County to utilize their resources to connect with the CFT network of donors, engage in secure on-line giving and leverage their decades of successful community solutions. The Arts of Collin County fits the CFT model as a significant need in the North Texas area to provide a nurturing home for the appreciation and participation in the arts.

In order to break ground on phase 1 of the arts park and performance hall, $17 Million more is needed to be raised through private efforts such as corporate donations, foundations and individuals. To maximize today’s lower costs of construction materials, it is critical to secure the funds needed to sustain the lowest overall cost of the project.

The three Owner cities, Allen, Frisco and Plano have contributed $57 Million in public bond monies along with up to $3 Million from the Collin County Open Spaces Grant fund. To date, more $8.5 Million in private funds are secured from major donors including Craig and Kathryn Hall, James and Betty Bell Muns, AT&T Foundation, Briar Ridge Investment, Stan Graff – El Dorado Family of Dealerships, Mario Sinacola & Sons Excavating, Inc., Texans Credit Union, The Eugene McDermott Foundation, Plano Arts Cultural Endowment, Ebby Halliday, David and Hiya Hoffman, Holcim (US) Inc., Roger and Jeanette Kent, George (Robbie) and Lynore Robinson, Kenneth Sellers, Charles S. Sharp, Jr. , Richard Strauss – Lantana Education/Charitable Foundation, Anonymous, Anonymous - In Honor of George (Robbie) and Lynore Robinson, Atmos Energy, Bank of America, Capital One, Katherine B. Johnson Foundation, Roger Staubach, Muns Family Foundation and several other generous individuals.

About The Arts of Collin County
The Arts of Collin County (ACC) is a nationally recognized, innovative, public-private partnership to develop a 124 acre arts park. Co-owned by the cities of Allen, Frisco and Plano, with operational support by member cities, Fairview and Melissa, the development of the arts park is supported with $57 million in bond monies, $3 million in Collin County Open Space Grant funds, and an additional $17 million financial support from private individuals, corporations and foundations. Located at State Highway 121 and Custer Road, the arts park will be completed in phases, with a 2,100-seat performing arts hall, performance meadow, and hike and bike trails included in Phase One. To contribute and learn more, visit the ACC website at www.artsofcollincounty.org or call 214-495-5810.

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