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Twenty-five years ago, a transformative idea became reality when the Washington Pavilion opened its doors for the first time. By combining visual and performing arts, science, education, and more under one roof in a way that had not been done before, Sioux Falls gained an incredible asset that would only get better with time.

“For several years in the beginning, people would say ‘This could become the epicenter of arts and culture for Sioux Falls,’” said Darrin Smith, President & CEO of Washington Pavilion Management, Inc. “Now, we’ve been able to say the Washington Pavilion is the epicenter and the beacon of arts and culture for the entire region.”

That remarkable transformation from an innovative but untested idea into a cultural cornerstone has been a long journey, but one that the community has readily rallied behind. In 1999, no one had tried to combine all the ideas that now sit under the Pavilion’s roof, Smith said: “There was no blueprint.” Now, after 25 years of growth, the Pavilion regularly hosts Broadway productions, prestigious visual arts displays, is equipped with a state-of-the-art planetarium, and has helped put Sioux Falls on the map as a community that is committed to the arts.

That commitment to the arts that flows through our community showed itself strongly as the Pavilion announced its Legacy Giving Program last year, which encourages patrons of the arts and sciences to leave a portion of their estates for the Pavilion’s benefit. “Within months of creating the program, we saw massive community support with millions in legacy commitments,” Smith said. This year, the Pavilion announced its “Thirty by 30” initiative to reach $30 million in endowment funds by 2030 — a goal which they are already more than halfway toward meeting.

“The founders of the Pavilion and those who brought this unique idea forward in the 90s did so many brilliant things to set us up for success in the long term,” Smith said. “However, the endowment balance is below the target for this point in the organization’s history, so our strategic plan calls for increasing those assets to continue to meet growing needs.”

“Affordability should never be a barrier to experiencing what the Washington Pavilion has to offer,” Smith said. “Endowment funds allow us to keep tickets and memberships affordable for everyone, and allow us to provide scholarships, field trips, and free tickets to kids who wouldn’t otherwise be able to have these experiences.”

Additionally, a strong endowment base allows the Pavilion to take risks when it comes to programming. “Things like large Broadway shows are huge financial risks,” said Kerri DeGraff, Chief Operating Officer. “With consistent income and long-term financial stability, we can take those risks and bring shows here simply because the community wants to see them.”

The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation holds endowments for many local nonprofits, including endowment funds for the Washington Pavilion. Several of these endowments were established alongside the founding of the Pavilion, as its founders recognized the importance of long-term stability for the institution’s success. “It’s huge to have a partner like the Foundation,” Smith said. “We’re busy running our increasingly large operations, so the services and resources the Foundation provides are invaluable in letting us focus on our work.”

“Endowments are the backbone of funding for so many nonprofits,” said Andy Patterson, President & CEO for the Community Foundation. “That consistent, reliable stream of income helps meet their basic needs and frees them up to think big. A strong endowment is what allows an organization to thrive in the long term.”

The Community Foundation exists to inspire philanthropy, and the Washington Pavilion is among the best examples of what is possible when the community comes together to breathe life into new and innovative ideas.

Endowments play a crucial role in this success, providing the financial stability needed for long-term growth and sustainability. The steadfastness of the community in continuing to support the Pavilion through endowments is inspiring indeed.

Sioux Falls is an anomaly in many ways when compared to similar communities: we are unusually supportive of the arts, profoundly philanthropic, and we have a reach and influence that extends far beyond the city limits. “Everybody likes to think their hometown is the best, but Sioux Falls is truly special,” Smith said. “We want the Pavilion to be here for the long haul, and the community has shown us that they believe in that, too. We’re grateful to have the support of such a generous city.”

The journey from a vacant high school to a beacon of arts, science, and culture for the region has been long and storied but, in some ways, it’s just getting started. “The Pavilion is still young, but this is our next step,” said DeGraff. “We’re setting up to be able to continue to bring world-class arts and science experiences to Sioux Falls for many more decades to come.”