Celebrating the 2025 Donors Whose Generosity Expanded Opportunity for Students
At The Chicago Academy for the Arts, generosity is not abstract: It is transformative. Thanks to the remarkable support of our 2025 donors, students across all departments are experiencing deeper access, broader opportunity, and richer artistic and academic lives. As of December 18, the Academy’s 2025 year-end campaign has raised $459,040, a powerful testament to a community that believes in young artists and the futures they are building.
“Every gift, whether it supports financial aid, a guest artist, or a new piece of equipment, directly impacts our students,” said Dr. Scott Stewart, The Academy’s Director of Advancement. “Our donors are partners in education, creativity, and possibility, and we are profoundly grateful.”
Several standout gifts and campaigns shaped the 2025 giving year:
Patty and Ken Hunt (Alumni Family) launched an extraordinary two-year $1 million matching gift, inspiring the community to rally together. The first $500,000 was successfully raised this year, with the second half now underway and set to conclude in June 2026, doubling the impact of every dollar contributed during this period.
Justin Tranter (Alumni/Board of Trustees), Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer, celebrated their 45th birthday with The Academy. In lieu of gifts, Justin asked their friends to support the place they love most, and over $25,000 was raised in their honor from friends like Finneas O’Connell and the Jonas Brothers.
Paul and Christine Vogel (Alumni Family) continued their enduring legacy by funding an additional ninth-grade recipient of the Brian Vogel Memorial Scholarship, honoring their late son and Academy alum, Brian Vogel. Their generosity ensures that Brian’s passion for the arts lives on through future students.
Rusty Hernandez-Sanfilippo and Jeffrey Sanfilippo (Board of Trustees) began a $1.2 million multi-year gift to strengthen long-term student support. This investment includes rebranding YMDI as Randy Duncan’s Young Men’s Dance Initiative and expanding mentorship and opportunities in the dance department.
Lisa and Barry Moze (Alumni Family) committed to a generous, multi-year $500,000 gift to support The Academy’s continuing efforts to enhance teaching and learning in both the arts and academics. The first $100,000 was gifted this year with the pledge to conclude in 2029.
Tom Schroeder and Rand Harris advanced year three of the Schroeder-Harris Initiative, a capacity-building effort that strengthens the Academy’s ability to support students and faculty with excellence and sustainability.
On Giving Tuesday, a current Theatre family provided a generous matching gift, helping The Academy raise over $15,000 in a single day — setting a Giving Tuesday record for The Academy.
The year-end appeal was led by meaningful gifts from alumni family Mike and Kelly Finnerty and longtime Academy friend Barbara Levy Kipper.
Demonstrating exceptional leadership and belief in the Academy’s mission, 100% of the Board of Trustees made a gift to the year-end appeal.
Donor generosity in 2025 has already made a tangible difference. Gifts have expanded financial aid, allowing more students from diverse backgrounds to attend and fully participate in Academy life. Support has brought guest artists, masterclasses, and special workshops into classrooms and studios, connecting students with working professionals and real-world perspectives.
Donations have also strengthened academic and arts programming, helping departments maintain high-quality instruction, performances, exhibitions, and productions. Program-specific gifts, particularly scholarships and initiatives within dance and other departments, have created new opportunities for students to grow, collaborate, perform, and be mentored by top-tier artists and educators.
Collectively, these contributions mean more access, more resources, and more pathways for students pursuing ambitious artistic and academic goals.
“The Chicago Academy for the Arts exists because of belief. Belief in young people, in creativity, and in education as a force for change,” said Dr. Melinda Zacher Ronayne, The Academy’s Head of School. “To our 2025 donors: thank you for believing in our students and for helping them imagine and achieve what’s possible.”
For more information about giving or to join the Academy’s community of supporters, visit chicagoacademyforthearts.org/donate.
