The Douglas H. Wheeler Fund for Classical Music
An endowment for classical music that brings exceptional artists to Washington and classical music to more people.
Classical music lovers remember the moment it found them.
Music creates moments that last a lifetime. For 60 years, Washington Performing Arts has created them, guided by one belief: “Everybody in, nobody out.”
The Wheeler Fund is a $30 million endowment for classical music that builds a lasting foundation for what comes next. Every gift is invested for the long term, and a board-approved annual draw on earnings will fund premier classical programming. More than $22 million is raised to date. Your support lets us bring exceptional artists to the nation’s capital, keep tickets affordable, and redirect ticket revenue to arts education, gospel music, and community engagement.
The Wheeler Fund helps ensure that exceptional classical music continues to thrive in the Washington region for generations to come.
Douglas H. Wheeler Fund for Classical Music
Sustaining a Legacy of Excellence
For over five decades — first as President and now President Emeritus — Douglas H. Wheeler shaped Washington Performing Arts through trusted artist relationships, courageous programming, and a deep commitment to community. His leadership built a reputation for artistic excellence and expanded opportunities for audiences and artists alike.
The Douglas H. Wheeler Fund for Classical Music honors the standard he championed and carries it forward for future generations.
A Legacy of Excellence
For 60 years, Washington Performing Arts has brought world-class artists to the city and connected people through music. Each new chapter expands what’s possible.
Expanding What is Possible for Artists and Audiences
The Wheeler Fund advances artistic excellence, deepens partnerships, and opens more doors.
Advance Artistic Excellence
Support extraordinary orchestras, chamber ensembles, soloists and vocalists on Washington stages.
Deepen Artist Partnerships
Create greater opportunity for commissions, special recitals, international collaborations and projects developed alongside artists.
Expand Access and Discovery
Open more doors for students, newcomers and longtime patrons to experience exceptional classical music live and in person.
“Doug Wheeler is a hero and an inspiration to me as an artist. He nurtured creativity in me and encouraged me to be daring, think outside the box, and pursue my visions without fear. He embodies the belief that art has no endpoint or inherent boundaries, only the possibility of continually reaching toward something greater. His generosity brought artists and young audiences closer to the performing arts, opening doors to discovery, possibility, and a lifelong connection with the transformative power of art.”
VIOLINIST MIDORI
Sustaining classical music. Expanding its impact.
Your gift to The Wheeler Fund will support classical music excellence and deliver community impact that travels beyond the concert hall. Let us show you how.
Invest for the future
Your gift is invested for the long term, creating a dependable source of support year after year.
Bring performances to life
An annual draw from the Wheeler Fund will support premier classical music programming.
Expand community impact
With premier classical music supported by the endowment draw, ticket revenue can flow to other programs, including arts education, gospel music and community programs.
Gateway Student Tickets
Arts Education
Advance Artistic Excellence
Master Class Program
Gospel Music Programs
Mars Arts D.C.
“We want to make sure that many others, both young and old, can share the pleasures and excitement of great classical music performed here in Washington.”
DR. ROBERT & MRS. BETSY FEINBERG
CORNERSTONE PATRONS OF THE WHEELER FUND
Make your gift to the Wheeler Fund
Support exceptional classical music on Washington’s stages today while building a more dependable foundation for the future.
However you give, it’s all one story – support that begins today and lasts well beyond it.
Give Today
An outright gift of any amount, put to work right away.
Give Tomorrow
A multi-year pledge, on a timeline that works for you.
Give Forever
A gift your estate plans that carries the music forward.
Start a Conversation
Whether you are new to endowment giving or considering a significant commitment, we would love to talk with you—about how the Wheeler Fund works, what your gift makes possible each season, and the impact you would like it to have.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does The Wheeler Fund work?
Washington Performing Arts is thinking big.
We imagine a future where unforgettable experiences are affordable to all, and where we can nurture a vibrant, inclusive musical community. Our vision is to fully fund premier classical music performances and robustly invest in signature programs in perpetuity. To do this, we have targeted a $30 million goal in gifts, pledges, and planned gift commitments by fall 2027. The draw on the endowed funds, in keeping with Washington Performing Arts’s Investment Management Policies, will guide the allocation towards Wheeler Fund concerts.
To achieve this, we are creating a new endowment: The Douglas H. Wheeler Fund for Classical Music, named for our President Emeritus. Earnings from this endowment will cover all costs of presenting 12+ premier classical concerts and keep ticket prices within reach of an expanded audience (including our huge local population of students and young professionals). With the cost of producing these classical music performances subsidized by the fund, ticket revenue generated from these performances can help sustain our signature arts education, gospel music, and community programs for the future. By bringing the world’s greatest orchestras and outstanding musicians we will fill our concert halls, and attract both veteran music lovers and a new generation of patrons. This will solidify the region as one of the nation’s most important destinations for transformative musical experiences.
How does supporting The Wheeler Fund benefit the donors?
Endowment supporters experience the joy of exceptional programming right away, and can extend that joy to others, through their legacy. Near-term gifts make possible the performances you love and allow Washington Performing Arts to plan seasons ahead boldly and confidently. And in making a legacy gift, you help ensure that something you treasure, and that others treasure, can be experienced for years to come.
How does supporting The Wheeler Fund benefit other audience members?
With classical music expenses supported by the Fund, affordable tickets to premier performances come within reach of more people, including students, young professionals, emerging arts lovers, and first-time concertgoers. Your support helps ensure that exceptional classical music is never reserved for a few, but stays open to all who wish to discover it.
How does The Wheeler Fund help sustain signature arts education, gospel music and community programs?
Each year, a board-approved draw from endowment earnings will be allocated to support classical programming initiatives. With the cost of presenting these concerts supported by the endowment, Washington Performing Arts can offer more accessible ticket prices. A portion of ticket revenue can then support arts education, gospel music, and community programs. This model keeps exceptional classical performances vibrant and accessible while strengthening the cultural experiences, educational opportunities, and community connections that define Washington Performing Arts.
Will Washington Performing Arts accept multi-year, planned, or estate gifts toward The Wheeler Fund?
Yes. Washington Performing Arts welcomes multi-year pledges, planned gifts, and estate gifts in support of The Wheeler Fund. However, outright gifts and pledges payable over a shorter period can help the endowment grow and mature sooner, allowing Washington Performing Arts to begin realizing the benefits of these investments and advancing our mission over time.
All gifts will be accepted, recognized, and counted in accordance with Washington Performing Arts’s gift acceptance policies, donor intent, and applicable campaign counting guidelines.
Washington Performing Arts is thinking big.
We imagine a future where unforgettable experiences are affordable to all, and where we can nurture a vibrant, inclusive musical community. Our vision is to fully fund premier classical music performances and robustly invest in signature programs in perpetuity. To do this, we have targeted a $30 million goal in gifts, pledges, and planned gift commitments by fall 2027. The draw on the endowed funds, in keeping with Washington Performing Arts’s Investment Management Policies, will guide the allocation towards Wheeler Fund concerts.
To achieve this, we are creating a new endowment: The Douglas H. Wheeler Fund for Classical Music, named for our President Emeritus. Earnings from this endowment will cover all costs of presenting 12+ premier classical concerts and keep ticket prices within reach of an expanded audience (including our huge local population of students and young professionals). With the cost of producing these classical music performances subsidized by the fund, ticket revenue generated from these performances can help sustain our signature arts education, gospel music, and community programs for the future. By bringing the world’s greatest orchestras and outstanding musicians we will fill our concert halls, and attract both veteran music lovers and a new generation of patrons. This will solidify the region as one of the nation’s most important destinations for transformative musical experiences.
Endowment supporters experience the joy of exceptional programming right away, and can extend that joy to others, through their legacy. Near-term gifts make possible the performances you love and allow Washington Performing Arts to plan seasons ahead boldly and confidently. And in making a legacy gift, you help ensure that something you treasure, and that others treasure, can be experienced for years to come.
With classical music expenses supported by the Fund, affordable tickets to premier performances come within reach of more people, including students, young professionals, emerging arts lovers, and first-time concertgoers. Your support helps ensure that exceptional classical music is never reserved for a few, but stays open to all who wish to discover it.
Each year, a board-approved draw from endowment earnings will be allocated to support classical programming initiatives. With the cost of presenting these concerts supported by the endowment, Washington Performing Arts can offer more accessible ticket prices. A portion of ticket revenue can then support arts education, gospel music, and community programs. This model keeps exceptional classical performances vibrant and accessible while strengthening the cultural experiences, educational opportunities, and community connections that define Washington Performing Arts.
Yes. Washington Performing Arts welcomes multi-year pledges, planned gifts, and estate gifts in support of The Wheeler Fund. However, outright gifts and pledges payable over a shorter period can help the endowment grow and mature sooner, allowing Washington Performing Arts to begin realizing the benefits of these investments and advancing our mission over time.
All gifts will be accepted, recognized, and counted in accordance with Washington Performing Arts’s gift acceptance policies, donor intent, and applicable campaign counting guidelines.