The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s capital campaign was a well-choreographed project that breathed new life into the organization’s fundraising plan

By Margaret Battistelli Gardner

Incentives in that phase of the campaign included naming opportunities based on gift amount: $2,500 for a paver at the entrance of the building; $5,000 for a seat in the theater; or $10,000 for a spot on the donor wall in the lobby.

Ailey reached its $66 million goal in the fall of 2003 and, as of last month, was closing in on $72 million and its ultimate goal of $25 million in endowment funds.