politics
Washington National Opera Sues Kennedy Center for Return of $17 Million in Donor Funds
The opera company ended its 15-year partnership in January and now seeks return of restricted donations. The Kennedy Center called the claims meritless.
Jun 12, 11:45 AM·2m read1 source
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The Washington National Opera filed a lawsuit against the Kennedy Center seeking return of more than $17 million in donor funds that the opera says belong to it. The funds consist of contributions specifically intended to support the Washington National Opera and its artistic and educational mission, according to the court filing.
The New York Times reported that the opera company left the center amid the Trump administration’s takeover and says its efforts to retrieve its endowment and other assets have been blocked.
Under the affiliation agreement, the Kennedy Center managed donations on behalf of the Washington National Opera for roughly 15 years while the two organizations remained legally separate entities. The Kennedy Center handled fundraising, administrative support, and management of WNO-designated contributions for the benefit of WNO, with those funds always belonging to the opera.
The Washington National Opera ended its 15-year partnership with the Kennedy Center in January.
In the months leading up to the split, the Kennedy Center stopped performing key obligations under the agreement, including fundraising support, marketing assistance, and timely reporting on the status and growth of WNO-managed funds, the filing states.
The Washington National Opera made repeated requests to address the issues before filing suit. “The funds held by the Kennedy Center represent years of gifts and contributions made by loyal WNO donors who specifically directed their support to benefit WNO and its mission,” the organization said in court filings.
” “Having exhausted its efforts to amicably resolve this matter, WNO files this lawsuit to seek the return of money that belongs to it and is necessary to fulfill its mission,” the filing stated. Kennedy Center vice president of public relations Roma Daravi stated that despite multiple proposals, WNO failed to engage in good-faith discussions and WNO Director Francesca Zambello undermined coordination between the organizations.
