The Dallas Opera needed to raise $25 million in 2025 in order to earn a $25 million challenge grant from the Dallas-based O’Donnell Foundation. It did that, and then some—its total 2025 monies raised, combined with the O’Donnell grant, have given it $54.5 million to fund both The Dallas Opera’s endowment and general operations. 

The campaign—the largest in the company’s history—included gifts by well over 100 donors, with recent significant gifts from the Perot family; the Hamon Foundation; the VanSickle Family Foundation; Cece and Ford Lacy; an anonymous donor; and the TDO board, trustees, and honorary directors.

“The Dallas Opera is incredibly grateful to our loyal donors for this forward-thinking investment into the company,” TDO General Director Kern Wildenthal and CEO Ian Derrer said in a joint statement.

“Every new gift and pledge helped us meet this challenge,” they added. “The fact it was met in six months speaks to TDO’s importance in the community. Thanks to our generous donors and the O’Donnell Foundation, the future of opera in North Texas is brighter and more secure.” 

With the 2025 funding, The Dallas Opera said its current endowment of $30 million will more than double in value, strengthening the company’s financial footing “for years to come.” The funds raised for general operations will provide annual support for the next five years while the endowment investments mature.

TDO Board Chair Quincy Roberts, the CEO of Q Roberts Inc., said “this seismic, transformational gift” will support The Dallas Opera’s legacy as a lasting arts beacon for our community.

“While opera companies will undoubtedly continue to face strong financial headwinds in the future,” he added, “we celebrate this historic achievement for TDO and recognize that not every company is so fortunate.”

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