Friends of the Gallagher Bluedorn announces $1.5 million gift to renovation and expansion

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – On March 6 at Jay Leno’s sold out show at Gallagher Bluedorn, the Friends of the Gallagher Bluedorn president, Robert Frederick, announced a gift of $1 million towards a $14.9 million expansion of the Gallagher Bluedorn on the University of Northern Iowa’s campus.

Friends, which formed over twenty years ago, has a mission to support Gallagher Bluedorn’s programming and operations. Since its inception, they have given nearly $1.3 million to Gallagher Bluedorn through annual support to infrastructure, equipment, performances and the beloved Kaleidoscope Series for Youth.

On April 9, at the Friends’ annual meeting and dinner, Frederick announced a second major gift, saying that, “we understand that not everyone is in a position to give, but if you are able and you are a patron of the Gallagher Bluedorn, now is the time to step up. We are committed to doubling new donations, dollar for dollar, up to an additional $500,000.”

The two gifts, totalling $1.5 million, brings the total amount raised for the project to $11.9 million. Friends are hoping their initial gift and additional match challenge will assist the Gallagher Bluedorn in achieving its full fundraising goal.

The Gallagher Bluedorn’s renovation and expansion will modernize the space and elevate the patron experience. Originally built to host 140 events and serve up to 14,000 guests annually, the center currently hosts nearly 600 events and more than 115,000 guests each year – operating at ten times its expected capacity. The project is slated to include expansion of the lobby, ticketing and concessions areas, as well as the addition of the Marquee Lounge, along with renovations of existing amenities, such as seating in the Great Hall, and restroom upgrades.

The Friends of the Gallagher Bluedorn gift was made to the University of Northern Iowa through the UNI Foundation. For more information about the Gallagher Bluedorn renovation, visit GBPAC.com/Renovation.