Sandler Center for the Performing Arts Foundation
Educate, Inspire, Enrich
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The Sandler Center Foundation's goal is to make the performing arts accessible to all. The performing arts is a window to different cultures and a form of expression through voice, dance, and other forms of creativity. It can be used as a teaching method, to open minds and tap into an audience's emotions. Attending a performing arts venue is an experience that the Foundation believes benefits its community, and the Foundation wants that opportunity available to residents and guests, despite income level.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Education Program
Arts education is a vital component of the Sandler Center Foundation’s mission, and we are committed to making quality arts programming available and accessible to the youth of our community. The Education Program is a comprehensive and multi-faceted one that now serves over 20,000 students annually through live performing arts matinees at the Sandler Center, outreach to students with special needs, “on-the-road” performances offered in partnership with Richmond Ballet (the State Ballet of Virginia), and interactive STEM Lab exhibits at U.S. Navy events.
Community Outreach Programs
Community Outreach Programs includes partnerships and grantmaking to support other non-profit organizations championing for the performing arts. Partnerships include the U.S. Navy and Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP). Programs include Local Heroes and Special Needs Outreach.
The Local Heroes Program provides first responders, military service members and Gold Star Families the opportunity to attend a resident company performance at no cost.
The Special Needs Outreach includes serving special needs students through our educational matinee programming and hostine evening sensory-friendly performances for special needs individuals and their families and caretakers.
These program partnerships help fulfill the Sandler Center Foundation’s goal of enriching and building the community. Collectively these community programs have reached and inspired 1,500+ Hampton Roads families. Through our strategic partnerships and program support, a love of the arts has been further instilled in our community.
Performance Underwriting
The Foundation is committed to its original mission to provide a home for local resident performing arts companies and to ensure our community has access to world-class and culturally diverse performances through its underwriting of performances at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. Through this program, the Sandler Center Foundation is able to offer cultural enrichment experiences that would otherwise be cost prohibitive for a venue or market of our size. We can create a more intimate and interactive event that the audience will remember for years. Through the Foundation's Giving Circle, grants are awarded to Sandler Center resident companies and Giving Circle members choose which world-class performance to underwrite.
Where we work
External reviews

Our Sustainable Development Goals
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Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The Sandler Center Foundation's goal is to provide opportunities for the community, despite age, income level, race, gender or sexual orientation, to attend a performing arts event at the Sandler Center designed to educate, inspire and enrich.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The Sandler Center Foundation has developed programs and partnerships that, along with the support of our generous donors, support the mission and contribute to the Foundation educating, inspiring and enriching the lives of community members.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Donor stewardship and community networking are the tried and true methods for many non-profits to meet their goals. The Sandler Center Foundation is no exception to this rule. The Foundation keeps its donors and community members involved through many hosted events, newsletters, and other social media outlets. Our donors are welcome to stop by any time!
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The Sandler Center Foundation has accomplished the following:
1) The Education Program serves over 20,000 Pre-K through 8th grade students annually. The students attend matineess at the Sandler Center, which are SOL-aligned and include character development opportunities, and students are able to interact with the hands-on STEAM exhibit presented through the U.S. Navy's STEM Lab Learning Days.
2) Provide funding for over 11,000 students annually to see an educational matinee!
3) Nine Resident Companies receive support through the Local Heroes program, as well as the families of first responders, military service members, and Gold Star Families!
4) Provide sensory-friendly evening performances at no charge for individuals with special needs and their families and caretakers.
5) Underwrite major performances and support resident companies through the Giving Circle.
The Sandler Center Foundation will continue to provide the above programming and is open to partnerships that have a similar mission to educate, inspire and enrich through performing arts opportunities.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Sandler Center for the Performing Arts Foundation
Board of directorsas of 03/25/2020