One grant will help the Basie’s outreach to Red Bank’s public schools. (Click to enlarge)
Press release from The Count Basie Theatre
The Count Basie Theatre was the recipient of two recently awarded grants, including $15,000 from the OceanFirst Foundation. The grant, which completes a two year grant cycle for arts and cultural institutions, will be used for theatre operations and necessary renovations. Since 2009, the Foundation has granted $60,000 to the Count Basie Theatre.
The Basie also received an $8,000 grant from the Mary Owen Borden Foundation for its support of mission-driven programming; in particular the Outreach program within Red Bank Borough’s Public Schools. In the past three years, the Borden Foundation has granted the Basie in excess of $36,000.
“Our vision for the Count Basie Theatre is to continue to expand and amplify our role as a community asset to the county as both a performing arts venue and a leader in arts education,” said Adam Philipson, CEO of Count Basie Theatre. “We are honored by the support of these two organizations for the work we have accomplished and look forward to working with them as our vision unfolds.”
Since its founding in 1902, OceanFirst Bank and the OceanFirst Foundation has contributed in excess of $23 million to over 600 local charities in Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties. In recent decades, the Mary Owen Borden Foundation has focused its funding on entities in New Jersey’s Mercer and Monmouth counties.
“We are happy to continue to support the work of the Count Basie Theatre’s Performing Arts Academy Outreach Program in the Red Bank Schools,” said Quinn McKean, Executive Director of the Mary Owen Borden Foundation. “The Mary Owen Borden Foundation is committed to improving the lives of children, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged.”
“The Count Basie Theatre is very grateful to both the Mary Owen Borden Foundation and OceanFirst Foundation for their support of our mission-driven programs,” said Tom Widener, Chairman Count Basie Theatre Foundation Board of Directors. “These foundations have been generous donors and community partners in helping the Basie bring the arts and arts education to many individuals throughout the Two River area.”
