Grand Piano Series is pleased to announce it has received a $12,000 surprise grant from the Collier Community Foundation.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous support of the Collier Community Foundation. This funding is much-needed relief in light of recent state funding cuts to arts organizations. The support will assist in our ongoing concert presentations and education programs, benefiting economically disadvantaged students and senior citizens,” said Milana Strezeva, President and Artistic Director of the Grand Piano Series.

Naples, FL (July 17, 2024) The Collier Community Foundation (CCF) announced surprise grants of $250,000 to 14 local arts and culture nonprofits, enabling these organizations to continue their vital programs and operations in light of recent state budget cuts. These unrestricted grants are possible due to $220,000 in CCF funding approved by the CCF Board of Directors and $30,000 from Rooms To Go, which donated proceeds from their grand opening of the new Naples Showroom.

CCF awarded grants of various sizes to the Art League of Marco Island, Artis―Naples, Grand Piano Series, Gulfshore Opera, Gulfshore Playhouse, Holocaust Museum of SWFL, Naples Art Association, Naples Botanical Garden, Naples Concert Band, Opera Naples, The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, The Naples Players, TheatreZone, and United Arts Collier. These organizations play a pivotal role in supporting local tourism, economy, and the workforce and provide a diverse range of programs, exhibits, classes, and concerts for all ages, enriching our community’s cultural landscape.

The benefiting organizations received the good news earlier this week and were grateful they will receive the unexpected and much-needed funding, and thank you’s have been pouring in:

“There are no words that I can find to express our boundless gratitude for this generous support.” – Hyla Crane, Executive Director, Art League of Marco Island Center for the Arts.

“What tremendously supportive and generous news to receive! Thank you to the Collier Community Foundation for being so sensitive to the impact on arts organizations following the recent State funding cuts.” – Kathleen van Bergen, CEO and President, Artis – Naples.

“We are deeply grateful for your heartening commitment to helping us serve our Collier community through the inspiring power of the arts. It is such a privilege and we wouldn’t be in the position we are to do so without your ongoing and impactful support. This grant will have a significant impact on our ability to continue offering our services to the community, and it invigorates us to keep doing all we can to serve all the arts for all of Collier.” – Elysia Dawn, Executive Director, United Arts Collier.

“This is why Community Foundations do the work we do,” said Eileen Connolly-Keesler, CCF president and CEO. “We are fortunate and grateful that we are able to rapidly respond to pressing community needs thanks to our proactive board leadership, the generous support of our donors, and community partners like Rooms To Go that are invested in making Collier County the best it can be.”

About the Collier Community Foundation:
Collier Community Foundation® is a tax-exempt, public, charitable organization established in 1985 to increase and focus on local private philanthropy. Today, the Collier Community Foundation manages over 850 funds, works with hundreds of nonprofits, and has granted over $328 million to nonprofit organizations, community programs, and scholarships. Informed giving. Powerful results®. Learn more at colliercf.org or call 239-649-5000.