NEWPORT, RI, (CelebrityAccess) — Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. has beat their goal to to raise $750,000 towards a three-to-one match to create a $1,000,000 artistic reserve grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF), it was announced today by George Wein, Chairman of NFF.
The endowment is dedicated for the George Wein/Doris Duke Artistic Programming Fund, which will continue George Wein's goal of presenting emerging artists and new works at the Newport Jazz Festival
The mission of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation is to improve the quality of people's lives through grants supporting the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research and the prevention of child abuse, and through preservation of Doris Duke's properties.
"We are proud to have raised the funds ahead of schedule, and we are grateful for many generous contributions," said Mr. Wein. "However, we couldn't have achieved this goal so quickly without the support of our dear friend Charlie Bourgeois. Charlie was with me from the very beginning, and his work with the press made the Newport Jazz Festival known around the world. He spearheaded the festival's public relations efforts until he died in January at the age of 94. Yet, even in death, his love and dedication for the festival continue to live on through his substantial financial donation. There is much more work to be done to secure the future of the Newport Jazz Festival, and we thank the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation for its ongoing support."
Ed Henry, President of the DDCF, added, "The grant will be given special visibility as part of a larger effort to honor the Newport Jazz Festival, George Wein and Doris Duke. Providing a national commissioning and performance fund as part of the historic Newport Jazz Festival – held in the community of Doris Duke's home, Rough Point – will honor their legacies, now and in the future." – Staff Writers
