April, 2015 – Kravis Center’s Supporters Gather Together

(WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.)  Approximately 250 of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts’ major donors recently attended a special evening in honor of the Center’s Founders and Grand Benefactors, Benefactors, Grand Sponsors, Sponsors and Patron members of the Dress Circle.

The evening began with a cocktail reception in the Harris Pre-Function Hall, followed by dinner in the Cohen Pavilion’s Gimelstob Ballroom, prepared by Catering by the Breakers at the Kravis Center.  The room was beautifully decorated in vibrant spring hues – pops of pink and yellow were seen throughout. While enjoying dinner, guests heard more about the Center’s financial health and local impact from CEO Judith Mitchell and Board Chair Jane Mitchell.

“Many of you have supported us from the beginning,” said Judith Mitchell.  “The outstanding financial commitment Dress Circle members make represents 64% of our annual fund raising goal of $5.1 million. This is quite an investment you make in the Center and I am happy to report tonight on the health of your investment.  From the date of our last dinner in your honor, just one year ago, 19 new donors have made multi-year commitments at the $100,000 level to join the Kravis Center as Founder members.  Several of our new Founder members are with us tonight: Dr. Nettie Birnbach, Michael McCafferty and Joseph Horton and Jennifer Myerberg.

“In addition, I am pleased to report great strides in our building a Permanently Restricted Endowment Fund.  Tonight I have the distinct pleasure of publicly acknowledging the receipt of an $800,000 gift to the Fund from Leonard and Norma Klorfine and the Leonard and Norma Klorfine Foundation.”  Leonard and Norma Klorfine are Founder members and their generous donations to the Kravis Center now total in excess of $1 million. Their Foundation’s mission is to “empower nonprofits to continue to achieve tangible results that benefit their communities.”

Jane Mitchell then addressed guests to thank them for their continued support of the Center, sharing its economic impact on the local economy.  “Over the past 23 years, the Kravis Center has become big business. Our operating budget is nearly $24 million and we have a consistent and significant impact on our local economy by generating revenue for hotels, restaurants and retail outlets from both tourists and performers.  For example, last season’s Radio City Christmas Spectacular by the Rockettes required more than 1,200 room nights for its ten day run.”

Ms. Mitchell continued by thanking Board members in attendance, including Secretary Stephen Brown, Dr. Barbara Golden, John Jenkins, John Kessler, Ted Mandes, Treasurer and immediate past Chair Bill Meyer, Monika Preston, Vice Chair Laurie Silvers, Richard Sloane, Kathryn Vecellio and Lee Wolf; as well as Life Trustees George Elmore, Judy Goodman and George Michel, Jr.  In addition, she expressed her sincere gratitude to Northern Trust for its generous sponsorship of the evening’s dinner, for the 19^th consecutive year; and Alec and Sheila Engelstein and Zelda and Allen Mason, both long-time Founder members, for their sponsorship of the evening’s performance by Audra McDonald.

To be able to fulfill its mission, the Kravis Center depends on the support of its generous donors. Among the many privileges of being a donor is the opportunity to purchase tickets to all Kravis Center-presented events before they go on sale to the general public. This policy also applies to the Kravis Center’s exciting Kravis On Broadway season.  Membership benefits vary depending on the level of support.  Donors ensure that the Center will continue to present world-class artists and comprehensive education programs for the entire community.

Centrally located in West Palm Beach, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is one of the premier performing arts centers in the Southeast with a renowned national and international reputation. Established as a leading force in the social fabric of the community, its many outreach programs are as broad and varied as the community itself. To date, the Center has opened the door to the performing arts for approximately 2 million schoolchildren.