Students perform on stage as part of the Ford's theatre oratory festival. Five girls stand in front holding each other's hands above their heads. A dozen student kneel behind them.
Photo by Gary Erskine.

Impact

Your support helps preserve Lincoln’s legacy and helps us inspire the next generation of leaders.

When you support Ford’s Theatre, you become part of the family, while making an impact on your community and your nation.

Donations and membership further our mission of celebrating Lincoln’s legacy and exploring the American experience. Your support helps fund educational programs like the Oratory Festivals, giving children a place on our national stage. Your funding brings the American experience to life through our performances. And your generosity inspires visitors by exploring the importance of President Lincoln and his legacy through our exhibits.

Our Annual Reach

An exterior view of historic Ford’s Theatre, a three-story brick building with five arched windows on the second and third floor. The bottom floor is white and has five arched entryways.
Photo © Maxwell MacKenzie.

422,667+
Historic Site
Visitors

A row of children stand on the Ford's Theatre stage dressed in white shirts and stovepipe hats.
Photo by Gary Erskine.

22,342+
Students
Served

The view from the Ford’s Theatre stage looking out to the audience. To the left of the stage is the President Box with an American flag, a framed picture of George Washington and American flag bunting draped over the box. To the right is another box with yellow and white curtains. In the center of the stage is a wooden desk. The view includes two levels of seating and rows of lighting equipment on the third level.
Photo © Maxwell MacKenzie.

67,459+
Theatre
Patrons

A group of ten men and women laugh together in a small room. All but one are sitting at tables with lunches on top.
Photo courtesy of Ford’s Theatre.

920+
Teachers
Served

Impact Report

Explore the impact of Ford’s Theatre in the community.

Four actors on a stage all looking at large venus-fly trap.
Impact Report

Your Support Makes The Difference!

Photo by Gary Erskine.

Bringing the Arts into the Classroom

Each year, Ford’s offers free and reduced-price tickets for Ford’s Theatre mainstage productions to local students to provide young people access to the performing arts. This important program gives students access to the arts and empowers their teachers to incorporate the arts into their classrooms! Learn more about our Student Matinees.

A group of schoolchildren in white shirts and tan pants stand or kneel on a stage.
Photo by Carolina Dulcey.

Empowering Students

Each year the Lincoln Oratory Festival and the Lincoln Online Oratory Project have classrooms study speeches by a diverse group of historical orators and work with a Ford’s Teaching Artist to expand their vocabulary, develop public-speaking skills and build confidence as they bring great speeches to life. These incredible programs enable students to experience how the power of public speaking can communicate ideas and inspire others. Learn more about the Lincoln Oratory Festival and the Lincoln Online Oratory Project.

A teaching artist leads an oratory workshop.
Photo by Carolina Dulcey.

Empowering Teachers

Ongoing, high-quality professional development for school-based educators is essential for maintaining positive student outcomes in the classroom and working directly with educators creates a multiplier effect for the number of students experiencing Ford’s content and pedagogy. Learn more about our Teacher Professional Development.

A group of students gather on a spiral staircase, while a Ford’s Education staff guide shows them the Lincoln Book tower, a giant column of books in the center of the staircase.
Photo by Lisa Sommers.

Preserving History

As the site of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, Ford’s Theatre holds a unique place in the history of the United States. Whether through onsite tours of the historic site or virtual resources, Ford’s makes it a priority to preserve our collective history and reflect on how the past still impacts us today. Learn more about visiting Ford’s Theatre.

Smiling cast members dressed in Victorian-era clothing greet patrons in a meet and greet onstage.
The cast and patrons at the 2023 sensory-friendly performance of Ford Theatre’s A Christmas Carol. Photo by Andrew Buchsbaum.

Ensuring Accessibility

At Ford’s Theatre, we are committed to ensuring visitors of all abilities can experience the performances, exhibits, history and programs our site has to offer. Learn more about our Accessibility Offerings.

What Your Gift Can Do

See how your donation helps Ford’s Theatre.

Actors playing Harry Ford and Harry Hawk wear 1860s costumes including top hats. They stand in front of the Ford’s Theatre Presidential Box.
Photo of Jonathan Atkinson and Joe Mallon by Carolina Dulcey. Background photo by Gary Erskine.

$250 brings a local class to One Destiny

Your support enables production of and free tickets for One Destiny, a one-act play commissioned and produced by Ford’s Theatre that revisits the events of April 14, 1865.

Give $250
Young children stand behind and a railing and look at a tower of books.
Photo by Gary Erskine.

$100 funds school bus transportation

Ford’s provides FREE tickets and bus transportation for students. Your support provides many students with their first experience of live theatre.

Give $100
Abraham Lincoln, wearing his signature beard and dressed in a suit, is seated for a formal portrait. He is photographed from the waist up and looks directly into the camera.
Photo courtesy of Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site.

Preserve Lincoln’s Legacy

Membership helps fund all of our theatrical and educational programming. Join today!

Join
A side exterior view of historic Ford’s Theatre, a three-story brick building with five arched windows on the second and third floor. The bottom floor is white and has five arched entryways.
Photo © Maxwell MacKenzie.

Monthly Donations

Make your donation go further with recurring gifts.

Give

A Special Thanks

Donors and members help us make a difference every day. View the list of our donors and see who has helped us make a lasting impact in our community.

Individual Donors

Ford’s Theatre Society is pleased to recognize all individuals making cumulative annual contributions of $250 or more. The list below includes gifts received January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024. To request additional information, please contact us at [email protected] or call (202) 434-9545.

See Full List

$50,000 and Up
  • Mr. and Mrs. S. Craig Lindner
  • Noémi K. Neidorff
  • Phebe N. Novakovic
  • Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Schwarzman

$25,000 – $49,999
  • Mrs. Eva Al-Thani
  • Jean A. Baderschneider and Patrick J. MacArevey
  • Wayne and Lea Berman
  • Cynthia J. Brinkley and Frank Sterneck
  • Robert Clark and Dr. Jane Clark
  • Sela and Art Collins
  • Ms. Gloria Story Dittus
  • Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Gates
  • Michael and Cynthia Hemmerich
  • The Honorable Sven Erik Holmes and Ms. Lois Romano
  • Dr. Ray R. Irani and Mrs. Ghada Raslan Irani
  • Mr. Frank F. Islam and Ms. Debbie Driesman
  • James Lintott and May Liang
  • David and Stephanie Long
  • Marlene A. Malek and the Malek Family Charitable Trust
  • Mrs. Kathleen K. Manatt
  • The Honorable Anita B. and The Honorable Timothy J. McBride
  • Catherine Merrill and the Merrill Family Foundation
  • Heather M. Podesta
  • Lola C. Reinsch
  • Mr. and Mrs. Eric A. Spiegel
  • Hon. Rex and Renda Tillerson

$10,000 – $24,999
  • Mr. and Mrs. BJ Agugliaro
  • Brian and Merry Anderson
  • Ms. Elizabeth Arpey
  • Steven and Shirley Barry
  • The Benders
  • Lucille A. Bland
  • Mr. Andy Blocker and Dr. Toni Irving
  • Senator Roy Blunt and Mrs. Abigail Blunt
  • Mr. Ian Cameron
  • Joseph and Kasey Crowley
  • Ray and Alysia Dempsey
  • Lawrence Duncan III
  • Mr. James W. Dyer
  • Susan and John Hess
  • The Honorable John W. Hickenlooper and Mrs. Robin Hickenlooper
  • Drew and Samantha Hunter
  • Elizabeth Jackson Hodges
  • The Honorable Alphonso Jackson and Mrs. Marcia Jackson
  • Ms. Elizabeth Baker Keffer
  • Ritu and Ro Khanna
  • Mr. and Mrs. Evan A. Knisely
  • Marc Lampkin
  • Diane J. & Robert A. McDonald Family Foundation
  • Charles Segars
  • Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Smithson
  • Mr. and Mrs. David Steward
  • The Honorable and Mrs. John Tanner
  • Louise Taper
  • Mr. Paul R. Tetreault and Mr. John Jeter

$5,000 – $9,999
  • Joyce M. Brayboy
  • Steve and June Chaudet
  • Alisann and Terry Collins Foundation
  • Ms. Elizabeth Duggal and Mr. Alain Taghipour
  • Ms. Karyn McLaughlin Frist
  • Jacqueline and Alexander Henry
  • Mr. Yoichi Higa
  • Dean and Anne Kereiakes
  • Kyungso Kim
  • In memory of Helen Kiplinger
  • Drs. Dan and Susan Mareck
  • Aya Matsumoto
  • Mrs. Judy McCarthy
  • Brenda and William Romenius
  • Tsuneo Shimoji
  • Paul, Renee and Eva Skafte
  • Brooke and David Thomas
  • Hitomi Tokuda
  • Wendy Dinova-Wimmer and Robert Wimmer
$2,500 – $4,999
  • Anonymous (1)
  • Stephen and Patti Bickley
  • Mr. Kelly Brion and Professor Philip Tirpak
  • David C. Brough
  • The Honorable and Mrs. John H. Dalton
  • The Honorable Susan S. Gibson and Colonel Tim Gibson
  • Barron Hall
  • Robert and Brenna Head
  • Helen and David Kenney
  • Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Kimmitt
  • Kent and Karen Knutson
  • Bob McDonald and David Insinga
  • The Montheys
  • Dr. Klint Peebles and Mr. Shannon Sloat
  • Doug and Pam Robinson
  • The Sheeters
  • Kate Whitaker
  • Mr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Woodson
$1,000-$2,499
  • Anonymous (4)
  • Caroline McDonald Aderholt
  • Allie and Ellen Ash
  • Michael L. Burke and Carl W. Smith
  • In Memory of Mary Lyons Quill
  • Bill and Nancy Calvert
  • The Honorable Elaine L. Chao
  • The Honorable Emmanuel Cleaver and Mrs. Diane Cleaver
  • Shannen and Casey Coffin
  • Jim and Kathy Consagra
  • The Honorable and Mrs. John Cornyn
  • Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Coulter, Jr.
  • Mr. Robert W. Cover and Ms. Bonnie Lepoff
  • Janice King Crawford
  • Heather Bek Crowder
  • The Rose and Crown Family
  • Frank and Nancy DeGrace
  • Stephen and Maryann Dembek
  • Cathi Diener
  • The Honorable Deborah I. Dingell
  • Mr. Rob Doerschner
  • Nishon and Pat Evans
  • Ms. Theresa M. Fariello
  • John Farrell
  • The Robert Fitch Family
  • Dave and Debra Fogg
  • Michael and Erica Folk
  • Chrissy Hagerty
  • Paul Hancq
  • Meg and John Hauge
  • Jeff and Beth Hearrell
  • Ken and Deb Hess
  • Bill and Jane Hoover
  • Mr. Thomas Housman
  • Patricia Jackman and Stephen L. John
  • Lyle and Elizabeth Kellman
  • Tamara Turoff Keough
  • Nick Kereiakes
  • Mr. W. Gary Kohlman and Ms. Lesley Zork
  • Dr. Michelle A. Krowl
  • Sanjiv Kumar and Mansoora Rashid
  • Patrick Landis and Edward Wilde
  • Mrs. Janet Lardner
  • Tamera Luzzatto and Alphie Feir
  • Mr. David S. Magee
  • The Honorable Edward J. Markey and Dr. Susan J. Blumenthal Markey
  • Dick Morin
  • Sherry Lee Mueller
  • David and Helen Nagel
  • Ms. Martha Newman
  • Mr. and Mrs. Phil Park
  • Mr. Edward A. Picard
  • Ron and Doris Richburg
  • The Honorable James E. Risch and Mrs. Vicki Risch
  • The Rosenbaum Family
  • Joe Rozek Col. (R) and Family
  • The Honorable Frederick J. Ryan Jr.
  • Patricia and Eric Sanner
  • Judd and Bev Schulke
  • Al Scott
  • Gina Shultz
  • sheri ratick stroud 
  • Peter and Ann Tanous
  • The Honorable Michael R. Turner
  • The Velez Family
  • Sandy and Bruce Wall
  • Jon and Sandy Willen
  • Mr. Mark Zaid
$500 – $999
  • Anonymous (10)
  • William Allen and Jenna Lane
  • Trevor Alward
  • Betsy O’Brien Anderson
  • Patrick and Kim Anderson
  • Ted and Dora Sue Black
  • In memory of Andy and Sophie Bombara
  • Sandy Boyar
  • Scott and Kim Boylan
  • Blain and Peg Butner
  • Dr. Carol Ciofalo and Mr. Robert S. Tedder III
  • Carol and Will Cooke
  • Andy and Monika Cottrell
  • Ms. Doris A. Criswell
  • Valerie and John Cuddy
  • Philip de Picciotto
  • Louis Delair Jr.
  • Dennis M. Dengel
  • Dr. Amanda K. Emo
  • The Erickson Family
  • Ms. Katherine Evans
  • Catherine Fadel
  • Mrs. Boni Flash
  • Gail A. Fleming
  • John and Judy Forney
  • Ingrid Fox
  • Mr. and Mrs. Rick Froehlich
  • Joseph H. Gale
  • The Honorable Gary Gensler
  • The Grindall Boys
  • Ms. Christine Hansen
  • Rachel Hecht
  • Mark and Lisa Heitz
  • Lucia Hill
  • Frank and Sherry-Lyne Holinaty
  • Craig Horness and Mario Durham
  • Mr. Sheldon Katz
  • Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Kelley
  • Kyle Kerr & Stephen Bique
  • Kathy Langer
  • Andrew Lewis
  • John and Beth Lord
  • David H. Mandel
  • Richard Maulsby
  • Dr. John McCain
  • Lt. Col. Thomas R. Miller, USAF (Ret)
  • The Honorable James P. Moran
  • Stanley Myles
  • Jeanmarie Neal
  • Ms. Ruth Oyen
  • Trevor Pascoe
  • Poole-Williams Family
  • David W. Raymond
  • David Reutzel
  • Martha Richards
  • Isaac Riggs
  • Laura and David Rinn
  • Dawn Schlegel and Joseph DeMorat
  • Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth F. Stang
  • Kathy Stonitsch
  • Craig and Amy Strent
  • Alison and Jim Tanner
  • Geeta Oberoi Tholan
  • Ms. Alyson Thomas
  • C. M. Traugott
  • The Tregoning Family
  • Ms. Margo Trovinger
  • The Van Dolsons
  • Deborah E. Walker
  • Ms. Iris Weinshall
  • Elysia and Michael Whisler
  • Nancy Whitfill
  • Mary and Lance Wood
  • Mr. John Young
$250 – $499
  • Anonymous (14)
  • Rafael Agosto
  • Bernie and Pat Alter
  • Tonia and Scott Anderson
  • Ann Griffith Ash
  • Beverly Bailey
  • Jonathan Baker
  • Eric Baldwin
  • Dr. James M. Banoczi
  • Mr. David Belgin
  • Mr. and Mrs. Alan Bennett
  • Ms. Rosemary Bennett
  • Danuta Boczar
  • James and Marie Bonnette
  • Randy Bonney
  • Ms. Cindy Boyd
  • Peter and Carolyn Bray
  • James and Lisa Briganti
  • Sharon Beth and Jeremy Bronheim
  • Kalyn Bruin and Bruce Adams
  • Janis Buckstad
  • The Burkart Family
  • Ms. Kathleen Carey
  • Steven Pelak and Diane Carsten-Pelak
  • Louis Cernak
  • Brian and Allayne Chappelle
  • Piper, Melissa and Dane Cherry
  • Jon and RuthAnn Clark
  • Daniel Costa
  • Ms. Doris A. Criswell
  • Daniel Curran and Stephanie Steele
  • Philip and Joan Currie
  • Kathy Day and Annette Totten
  • Michelle Delauer
  • John Driscoll
  • Dunn Family
  • Sage and Sally Eastman
  • In Honor of Patricia Eisenhardt
  • Ms. Barbara Fugate and Mr. Kazuo Yaginuma
  • Ms. Ana I Garcia
  • Erin Germany and Edward Meyers
  • Ms. Barbara Gilchrist
  • Logan Goforth
  • Michael W. Graff Jr.
  • Grammer Family
  • In Honor of Aline and Walter Gray
  • Ms. Catherine A. Griffin
  • Craigster and Laura Griffin
  • Tim and Norene Guilford
  • MGySgt Timothy G. and MSgt Donna K. Haddix
  • John and Nancy Handy
  • Jeffrey Harley
  • Shanna Harvey
  • Ms. Margot Hawkins-Green
  • Hayes and Samuel
  • Lisa and Ron Hayes
  • Robert E. Hebda
  • Jacqueline Helm
  • Jim and Judy Herceg
  • Sarah and Nathan Hewitt
  • Harold and Edith Holzer
  • Mr. David L. Horne
  • The Angel and Seri Irazola Family
  • Dr. and Mrs. Jacquot
  • Gary and Allison Jones II
  • Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence E. Keener-Farley
  • Ms. Barbara Keller
  • Mr. George Kelly
  • Kathy and Mike Kelly
  • Tyler and Chelsea Kennedy
  • Ms. Sylvia Kihara
  • Joan Killingsworth
  • Lauren Lamb
  • James W. Lambert
  • William Lammers & Debbie Jackson
  • Ms. Sheri A. Layton
  • Kirby Lewis
  • Thomas Fontana in memory of Sagan Lewis
  • Colonel and Mrs. James A. Lien
  • Denise Limbo
  • Mr. and Mrs. John C. Little
  • Master Sergeant and Mrs. John Lukens RET-AF
  • Steven and Janet Magel
  • Andrea Marrical
  • Debbie Marshall
  • Mr. David J. Mason
  • Mrs. Suzi Mauk
  • Shelley and Allen McCabe
  • Casey McEnelly
  • Thomas J. McGonigle
  • Frances McNulty
  • Edward J Mehigen
  • John and Nancy Mengel
  • John Morland
  • Jonathan O’Neill
  • Jane D. Pacelli
  • Michael Parker
  • William H. and Mary B. Parker
  • Kelley and Rand Paul
  • Ms. Susan J. Parks
  • Stan Peabody
  • Ms. Joy Petersen
  • Mr. Charlie Potts
  • Elaine and Michael Prendergast
  • Carmen Quartararo
  • Mr. and Mrs. LeBrodes Randall
  • Reid Reininger
  • Allison Rice
  • Mr. and Mrs. Henry T. Ritchie
  • Ms. Lisa Robrahn
  • Dr. John and Karen Rowlingson
  • Christopher Rupp
  • Alan and Florence Salisbury
  • Ms. Janet Saros
  • Alan J. Savada & Will Stevenson
  • David J. Saylor
  • William Scaggs
  • Gary and Robin Scher
  • Fran Sdao
  • John and Darcy Sekas
  • Joshua and Kimberly Shaffer
  • Susan Shallcross
  • Dr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Siler
  • Craig Simons
  • Michael R. Smith & Holly A. Larisch
  • Stephen Smith
  • Stephen T. Smith
  • Cheryl Spohnholtz
  • Lee and Barbara Strange
  • Raymond Sullivan
  • Mr. Chris Taylor
  • LTC (Ret) Frank Tedeschi
  • Pamela Thompson
  • Thomas Trutner
  • Mr. Michael Tyler
  • Mrs. Sophia C. Vazquez
  • Amanda and Corey Vitello
  • Drs. Jill Waalen and Douglas Schulz
  • Kelsey Wallace
  • Roger Warin
  • Kathleen Farley Watson
  • Valerie and John Wheeler
  • Gerry Widdicombe
  • Keith K. Whipple
  • Mr. William T. Whiteley
  • Gerry Widdicombe
  • Charles R. Wilkers
  • Jean Williams
  • Raymond and Sheri Wolfe

Foundation and Government

Ford’s Theatre is grateful for the support of these organizations that allows us to pursue our mission and provide a high-quality cultural experience.

Ford’s Theatre gratefully acknowledges these corporations, foundations and government entities for their generous support. The list below includes gifts received from January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024.

See Full List

 

$50,000 and Above
  • D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities
  • Institute of Museum and Library Services
  • National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs Program/U.S. Commission of Fine Arts
  • National Park Service
  • Share Fund
  • The Shubert Foundation, Inc.
$10,000 – $49,999
  • Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation
  • The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • Mars Foundation
  • Nancy Peery Marriott Foundation
  • National Endowment for the Arts
  • Dr. Scholl Foundation
  • The Smart Family Fund
$1,000 – $9,999
  • Dimick Foundation
  • The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation

Corporate Donors

Since its inception in 1970 by The Honorable C. William Verity, Jr., the Board of Governors has celebrated the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln and supported the exploration of the American experience through theatre and education. Today, the Board of Governors comprises corporations and associations who support and advance the mission of Ford’s Theatre through a variety of activities, including production underwriting, education program underwriting and general operating support.

Ford’s Board of Governors