Ailey receives Kaufman grant

Los Angeles philanthropist Glorya Kaufman, who in 1999 donated $18 million to UCLA to fund the renovation of its historic Dance Building, has made a $6-million pledge to the New York-based Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, pushing the company’s endowment to $55 million.

The troupe disclosed Kaufman’s donation, her largest to date to a dance company, in New York on Thursday as part of a broader announcement about 18 months of planned activities commemorating its 50th anniversary. Company executive director Sharon Gersten Luckman said those plans included a Library of Congress archival exhibition on the history of the Ailey company that will be on display at Walt Disney Concert Hall from October through March, as well as a tour stop in Los Angeles in mid-March.

The Ailey company, which performed earlier this month at the Orange County Performing Artscenter and held L.A. auditions for its summer program, also plans to create one of its dance camps in the Los Angeles area.

“I have funded many institutions of dance. However, I wanted to be involved with the soul of dance, and my staff and I sought out the very best,” Kaufman said. “We need a resurgence of dance and music, no question.”

Kaufman is the widow of Donald Bruce Kaufman, founder with Eli Broad of the home construction and financing firm Kaufman & Broad, now KB Homes.

-- Diane Haithman