Chautauqua Institution today announced a transformational $5.3 million gift from longtime Chautauquans Craig and Cathrine Greene. Their multifaceted commitment, which includes gifts to both Chautauqua Institution and the Chautauqua Foundation, supports a wide range of capital projects and strategic initiatives that are core components of Boundless, A Campaign for Chautauqua. The gift includes support for the planned renovation of Bellinger Hall, an unrestricted contribution to the Chautauqua Fund, support for IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) initiatives, and additional funding to endow dance excellence at Chautauqua through the existing Craig and Cathrine Greene Family Fund and establishment of the Sasha Janes Fund for Dance. The Greenes have provided additional support to elevate the coming 150th anniversary season and broaden the Institution’s long-term revenue streams through investments in new and augmented programs and initiatives, to be used at the discretion of the Institution president. 

“Craig and Cathy are model Chautauquans in every way,” said Chautauqua Institution President Michael E. Hill. “They are as generous in their kindness as they are in their philanthropy, and the depth of their love for Chautauqua is extraordinary. Their contributions to Chautauqua will make a difference now and for many years to come — in every student who spends the summer in Bellinger Hall, any dancer who has the privilege of studying under Sasha and our world-class faculty, and each patron who experiences the wonder of Chautauqua for the first time. I speak for all Chautauquans when I offer my hearty thanks to them for this inspiring gift.” 

“Chautauqua is an example that shows people can have discourse and differing opinions, but still handle it in a civil way, and blend it with culture and the arts,” said Craig Greene. “It’s a rare organization, and I don’t think people are aware of that. I hope that it’s going to reach a lot more people and become better known.” 

Originally from Warren, Pennsylvania, the Greenes have been coming to Chautauqua since 1980. While they appreciate all of Chautauqua’s programmatic offerings, Cathy is especially fond of the dance programs. Their passion for the art form inspired both their endowment gift, which will support dance in perpetuity, and their support for Bellinger Hall, where many of Chautauqua’s student dancers reside during the Summer Assembly. The planned renovation of Bellinger Hall will include a complete cosmetic refresh of the facility, the introduction of building-wide air conditioning, and modernization of dining and communal facilities. 

“The holistic approach of Craig and Cathy’s gift shows how deeply they understand the interdisciplinary nature of Chautauqua,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer Amy Gardner. “This contribution exemplifies so many of the core tenets of Boundless, from optimizing our traditional Summer Assembly to endowing a vibrant future for the Institution. We are proud that they have chosen to invest in Chautauqua in this way.” 

Boundless, A Campaign for Chautauqua entered its public phase in January 2024. Over the course of the campaign, Chautauqua aspires to raise $150 million across four priority areas: A World Class Experience, Expanding Our Role as a Convener, A Thriving Chautauqua Lake, and Endowing a Vibrant Future for Chautauqua. More than $106 million has been raised to date. Additional information can be found at boundless.chq.org. 

“Without philanthropy, organizations like Chautauqua are not going to exist and prosper,” Craig said. “I feel that anybody that can help should support it.”