Fox Gives Awards $1 Million in Multiyear Grants to Preserve Historic Georgia Theaters
through its philanthropic initiative, Fox Gives, has announced a landmark investment of $1 million in multiyear preservation grants to two historic performing arts venues in Georgia. The funding will provide long-term support to the DeSoto Theatre in Rome and the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium, with each venue receiving $500,000 to support restoration, modernization, and accessibility improvements.
The announcement was made during Fox Gives’ annual grant ceremony and marks a major milestone for the organization. It is the first time since the launch of the multiyear grant initiative in 2024 that two historic venues have been selected to receive long-term funding in the same year.
The grants demonstrate Fox Gives’ growing commitment to protecting Georgia’s cultural landmarks while strengthening the role these venues play in their local communities. Beyond preserving historic architecture, the investments are designed to ensure that these theaters continue serving as economic drivers, educational hubs, and gathering places for future generations.
Strengthening Community Landmarks Across Georgia
Historic theaters have long served as more than entertainment venues. In many communities, they represent a shared history and act as central gathering places that support downtown revitalization, tourism, and local businesses. Through its grant-making efforts, Fox Gives has focused on helping preserve these spaces while allowing them to evolve to meet modern needs.
The new funding for the DeSoto Theatre and Thomasville Municipal Auditorium reflects that mission. Both facilities are deeply rooted in the identity of their communities and have faced increasing infrastructure and preservation needs as they continue operating aging buildings.
According to Fox Theatre President and CEO Allan Vella, the investment is about protecting spaces that create lasting community value.
“These historic spaces matter to their communities,” Vella said during the announcement. “They bring people downtown, support local businesses and create shared experiences across generations. We know firsthand the impact created when a community comes together to save a local landmark. This is our way of paying that forward.”
DeSoto Theatre to Receive Stage and Backstage Upgrades
Located in Rome, Georgia, the historic DeSoto Theatre has been an important cultural institution for decades. Known for hosting performances, educational programs, and community events, the theater continues to attract audiences from across Northwest Georgia.
The new multiyear funding will support a phased renovation project focused on improving the theater’s stage and backstage operations. Planned upgrades include renovations to dressing rooms, infrastructure modernization, accessibility enhancements, and safety improvements.
The improvements are expected to enhance both performer and audience experiences while also expanding opportunities for educational and youth programming hosted at the venue.
Organizers say the investment will help modernize the theater without compromising its historic character. By improving operational efficiency and accessibility, the DeSoto Theatre will be better positioned to host a wider variety of events and programs in the years ahead.
The renovations are also expected to create broader economic benefits for downtown Rome by encouraging additional visitors, performances, and tourism-related activity.
Thomasville Municipal Auditorium to Undergo Critical Safety Improvements
In South Georgia, the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium will use its $500,000 grant to complete several critical infrastructure and life-safety upgrades.
The auditorium has long served as a central venue for performances, civic gatherings, and community events in Thomasville. However, like many historic public facilities, the building requires substantial modernization to remain operational and compliant with modern safety standards.
Funding will support the installation of upgraded fire suppression systems, structural repairs, and improvements to essential building systems. Accessibility enhancements are also planned to ensure the facility can better accommodate all visitors.
Local leaders believe the upgrades will help secure the future of the auditorium as a community destination while preserving one of Thomasville’s most recognizable public landmarks.
The project also aligns with broader efforts across Georgia to preserve historic civic buildings while ensuring they remain functional for contemporary use.
Record-Breaking Investment by Fox Gives
The $1 million in multiyear grants comes in addition to another $500,000 distributed through Fox Gives’ single-year grant program during the 2025–2026 funding cycle.
Together, the combined awards bring Fox Gives’ total investment for 2026 to a record-breaking $1.5 million, representing the largest annual funding commitment in the organization’s history.
The milestone reflects the growing scale and impact of the preservation initiative, which has steadily expanded since its founding in 2008.
Over the past several years, Fox Gives has become an important source of support for theaters and cultural venues throughout Georgia and the Southeast. Many smaller historic venues often struggle to secure funding for large-scale preservation projects, making programs like Fox Gives increasingly important.
Preserving History While Supporting Economic Growth
The announcement was made during National Historic Preservation Month, highlighting the connection between historic preservation and community development.
Historic theaters frequently serve as economic catalysts by attracting visitors, supporting nearby restaurants and businesses, and hosting cultural events that strengthen local identity. Preservation investments can also help revitalize downtown districts and encourage additional private development.
Fox Gives leaders emphasized that preserving these venues is not only about maintaining historic architecture but also about supporting the social and economic health of communities across the state.
By helping restore aging facilities and improve accessibility, the organization aims to ensure these landmarks remain active and financially sustainable for decades to come.
A Growing Legacy of Cultural Preservation
Since launching in 2008, Fox Gives has invested more than $5.7 million into historic theaters, arts venues, and cultural landmarks across Georgia and the broader Southeast region.
The organization was created as an extension of the preservation legacy of Atlanta’s iconic Fox Theatre, which itself was saved through a major community preservation effort decades ago.
Today, Fox Gives continues that mission by helping other historic venues avoid decline and remain vibrant parts of their communities.
With the latest grants to the DeSoto Theatre and Thomasville Municipal Auditorium, the organization is expanding its long-term preservation strategy while reinforcing the importance of cultural landmarks in shaping community identity, economic activity, and public life across Georgia.
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