Press Releases
05/20/2016
Avangrid Foundation Donates $400,000 to Eastman School’s Kilbourn Hall
Avangrid Foundation Donates $400,000 to Eastman School’s Kilbourn Hall
Largest gift in Foundation history to Eastman School of Music made on behalf of AVANGRID subsidiary RG&E for renovations
Rochester, NY – Avangrid Foundation’s gift of $400,000 toward renovation of historic Kilbourn Hall is music to the ears of the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music. Avangrid Foundation, which is the leading funder for the renovations to the historic building, made its donation on behalf of its subsidiary Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E).
The Avangrid Foundation is dedicated to supporting projects and organizations that enhance the quality of life in communities served by AVANGRID companies. Among other Rochester area programs supported by the Avangrid Foundation are the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival and the Rochester Museum and Science Center.
“I’m pleased to say that our commitment to the renovation of Kilbourn Hall is our largest-ever single gift in the Rochester community, and it is fitting that it should go to one of Rochester’s most treasured and enduring institutions,” said Robert Kump, president of the Avangrid Foundation. “Kilbourn Hall is one of Rochester’s cultural jewels, and this renovation will ensure that the community can enjoy it for years to come.”
The renovation plans will preserve the venue’s unparalleled acoustics while enhancing the audience experience through seating, lighting, and stage upgrades. Refurbishments will take place in the summer of 2016 and the hall will reopen for the 2016–2017 academic year.
In addition to serving as the primary location for Eastman’s faculty, student, and guest artist recitals, the 444-seat hall plays host to the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival and the First Niagara Fringe Festival and has welcomed legendary artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Ron Carter, and Dave Brubeck. Considered one of the finest chamber music halls in the world, Kilbourn’s fine acoustics also make it a frequent choice for commercial recording sessions.
About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $44 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, Avangrid owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. Avangrid employs approximately 8,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2024, Avangrid ranked first among utilities and 12 overall. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2024 for the sixth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.
About Iberdrola: Iberdrola is one of the world's biggest energy companies and a leader in renewables, spearheading the energy transition to a low carbon economy. The group supplies energy to almost 100 million people in dozens of countries. With a focus on renewable energy, smart networks and smart solutions for customers, Iberdrola’s main markets include Europe (Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy and Greece), the United States, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. The company is also present in growth markets such as Japan, Taiwan, Ireland, Sweden and Poland, among others.
With a workforce of nearly 40,000 and assets in excess of €141.7 billion, across the world, Iberdrola helps to support 400,000 jobs across its supply chain, with annual procurement of €12.2 billion. A benchmark in the fight against climate change, Iberdrola has invested more than €130 billion over the past two decades to help build a sustainable energy model, based on sound environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.
