The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation in Cleveland has awarded a $4 million challenge grant to Karamu House, the oldest Black performing arts institute in the nation.

The grant will support the remaining infrastructure and capital improvements to the campus in the Fairfax neighborhood of Cleveland, improving community mobility while supporting redevelopment. Through the challenge, the foundation will match—dollar for dollar—up to $4 million in additional donations through the end of 2024.

“This new partnership and collaboration will allow us to complete the infrastructure and capital improvements of Phase IV of our master plan,” said Karamu House president and CEO Tony F. Sias. “These enhancements include renovations in the education and administration building, bringing construction of the main building to a close. We are elated knowing these funds and the new relationship will add to the bright future of Karamu.”

“The Mandel Foundation’s commitment to Karamu House builds off of our previous neighborhood investments and our priority to provide access to education and the arts in Cleveland’s neighborhoods,” said, Mandel Foundation president and CEO Jehuda Reinharz. “We believe that this investment will not only foster new investment in Karamu, but will increase their capacity to serve the Fairfax community and beyond.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Mike Powell)