Thea Foundation is proud to announce a transformative $7.9 million gift from Windgate Foundation — the largest investment in Thea Foundation’s history. This milestone contribution includes the establishment of a $7.5 million endowment by Windgate at the Arkansas Community Foundation to provide long-term support for Thea’s Art Closet and Arts Reconstruction programs. In addition, Windgate Foundation has awarded a $300,000 grant to fund these two initiatives while the invested endowment funds begin generating earnings, along with a $100,000 matching grant to bolster Thea’s operating capacity.
“We are honored by Windgate’s trust in our mission and the programs we’ve built,” said Nick Leopoulos, Executive Director of Thea Foundation. “This endowment will allow us to deepen our reach and sustain our work for generations to come. We cannot thank Windgate enough for their unwavering support.”
“Throughout my long association with the Thea Foundation, first as a board member then as a funder, I have felt that their intense focus to encourage students to be creative is essential,” said Robyn Horn, Windgate Board Chair. “The basic premise of their Art Closet program, enabling art teachers to access supplies necessary to allow creativity to prosper, has been successful since its inception. Windgate is proud to be a part of their efforts and we hope that this grant will continue to support the arts in the Arkansas schools well into the future.”
Thea Foundation currently serves 16% of classrooms across Arkansas through its programming and provides resources and professional development to 15–20 central Arkansas teachers each year through Arts Reconstruction. This endowment will allow both programs to continue at their current capacity and expand sustainably over time, ensuring their long-term impact in Arkansas schools.
“For the past 15 years, Windgate has supported Thea Foundation’s impactful programs to motivate K-12 students through creative expression. Time after time, we have heard the amazing success stories of students as they find their way academically, socially, and emotionally, through art,” stated Pat Forgy, Windgate Foundation Executive Director. “Thea Foundation’s unwavering commitment to creativity aligns deeply with our belief that art in a student’s life is critically important, and we are honored to help sustain and grow their vital work in Arkansas schools.”
Windgate Foundation has been a dedicated partner of Thea Foundation for over 15 years, funding scholarships and supporting arts initiatives that have empowered countless teachers and students. This endowment underscores Windgate’s continued belief in the power of arts education to shape young lives. While incredibly meaningful, the endowment will not eliminate the ongoing need for support from our dedicated donors, and we invite you to visit our website to continue supporting Arkansas teachers and students.
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