Lyric Opera of Chicago today announces a historic $20 million gift from The Negaunee Foundation, the philanthropic organization of Richard W. Colburn and his wife, Robin Colburn, marking a major investment in the company’s commitment to education and artistic excellence. This extraordinary contribution establishes two main cornerstone funds that will shape Lyric’s impact across Chicago and on stage for decades to come.
Half of the gift will create The Negaunee Education Endowment, providing perpetual support for Lyric’s education programs, which will be newly named Negaunee Education Programs at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Serving students, families, and educators across Chicago and the broader region, this funding will expand in-school and family programming while deepening existing partnerships with organizations such as the Merit School of Music and supporting a new collaboration with the Music Institute of Chicago.
The remaining $10 million will establish The Negaunee Fund for Mozart, a dedicated contribution supporting an annual presentation of a Mozart opera as part of Lyric’s season. This philanthropic investment will enable both the revival of existing works and the development of new productions, including potential future stagings of the Mozart/Da Ponte trilogy, ensuring the enduring presence of Mozart’s work at Lyric at the highest artistic level.
"I’ve long believed that great cultural institutions are built through sustained investment — not only in what happens on stage, but in the people and communities they serve," says Richard W. Colburn, founder of The Negaunee Foundation. "Lyric Opera of Chicago reflects that balance in a compelling way, pairing artistic excellence with a deep and growing commitment to education and community engagement. Supporting these efforts, alongside a continued investment in the operatic repertoire, is a meaningful way to help ensure that this art form remains vibrant, and relevant, and continues to inspire future generations."
"This transformational gift from Richard W. Colburn is a powerful statement of belief in Lyric’s future," says John Mangum, General Director at Lyric Opera of Chicago. "The Negaunee Education Endowment ensures that our work offstage — engaging young people, families, and communities — will thrive for generations and develop future audiences for opera, while The Negaunee Fund for Mozart deepens our commitment to one of the greatest composers in the operatic canon. Richard W. Colburn’s vision aligns perfectly with our ambition to expand both the reach and relevance of opera in America."
The gift also supports Lyric’s evolving youth-focused initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to creating new pathways for inclusive programming throughout Chicago. Additional details about expanded partnerships and programmatic impact will be announced in the coming weeks.
In recognition of his extraordinary generosity and lifelong commitment to education and the arts, Richard W. Colburn was awarded Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Carol Fox Lifetime Achievement Award, the company’s highest honor. The award was bestowed by Lyric’s Board of Directors at its annual meeting in May.
"This extraordinary two-fold gift from long-time Lyric donors Richard W. and Robin Colburn through their Negaunee Foundation will enhance Lyric’s artistic mission," says Sylvia Neil, Chair of Lyric's Board of Directors, "and serve Chicago’s children for generations to come."
"Richard W. Colburn’s gift comes at a pivotal moment for Lyric as we look toward an exciting future," says Craig Martin, the Chair-Elect of Lyric’s Board of Directors. "Lyric has always embraced our place in the greater cultural landscape of Chicago; this gift and the long term vision that has made it possible are fitting especially at a time when the arts can bring so much to so many."
Richard W. Colburn’s philanthropic leadership has had a profound impact across Chicago’s cultural landscape, with a longstanding dedication to supporting childhood music, education, and the performing arts. His latest gift to Lyric underscores a deep belief in the power of opera to inspire, educate, and connect communities. He also serves as an executive committee member on the Lyric Board of Directors.
For more information on Lyric education programs, please visit lyricopera.org/education.
Lyric’s 2025/26 Season is presented by the Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation.
Lyric Opera of Chicago thanks its Official Airline, United Airlines, and acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.
About Lyric
Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to redefining what it means to experience great opera. The company is driven to deliver consistently excellent artistry through innovative, relevant, celebratory programming that engages and energizes new and traditional audiences.
Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO John Mangum and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Lyric is dedicated to reflecting, and drawing strength from, the diversity of Chicago. Lyric offers, through innovation, collaboration, and evolving learning opportunities, ever-more exciting, accessible, and thought-provoking audience and community experiences. We also stand committed to training the artists of the future, through The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center; and to becoming increasingly diverse across our audiences, staff, programming, and artists — magnifying the welcoming pull of our art form, our company, and our city.
Through the timeless power of voice, the splendor of a great orchestra and chorus, theater, dance, design, and truly magnificent stagecraft, Lyric is devoted to immersing audiences in worlds both familiar and unexpected, creating shared experiences that resonate long after the curtain comes down.
Join us @LyricOpera on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Threads and Facebook. #LongLivePassion
For more information, visit lyricopera.org.