Kennedy Center Fundraising Struggles Amid Leadership Changes

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The Kennedy Center's fundraising efforts have fallen into turmoil following the Trump administration's takeover of the organization, with current and former employees alleging that the head of development, Lisa Dale, has exaggerated donor commitments and pledges, leading to high-profile events happening without full sponsorships secured. Ticket sales have also declined, with the center having to give away hundreds of free tickets to ensure packed houses for some shows.

Why it matters

The Kennedy Center is a prominent cultural institution in Washington, D.C., and its financial health is crucial to its ability to continue providing high-quality programming and maintaining its facilities. The reported fundraising struggles and declining ticket sales under the new leadership raise concerns about the center's long-term sustainability and ability to fulfill its mission.

The details

According to current and former employees, Lisa Dale, the Kennedy Center's head of development, has exaggerated donor commitments and pledges, resulting in events happening without full sponsorships secured. She has also reportedly told colleagues that numerous private equity firms have committed to program sponsorships, but the funds have not materialized. The center has had to rely on outside fundraisers, who often failed to raise much cash. This has led to a 'fire drill for every single event,' with staff constantly scrambling to cover shortfalls.

• In late October 2026, the Washington Post reported that for the previous two months, 57% of tickets were sold or comped for the average production, compared to 93% the previous fall.

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