-Nolan Hiott, WRGA-
In The Fox Theatre’s own Egyptian Ballroom on Wednesday many theatres were recognized for their contributions to their community and contributions were made back in kind by The Fox Theatre as a part of their “Fox Gives” grant program. One such Theatre was Broad Street’s own DeSoto Theatre. Which not only received one grant of $62,500, but also received a multi-year grant of $500,000. With huge smiles and huge thanks, DeSoto’s team went on stage to receive the big check at the Fox Theatre “Big Check” ceremony.
DeSoto Theatre’s own Leanne Cook spoke at the event, thankful for not only how these grants would benefit the Theatre, but how it would benefit the community.
“This is going to help us get ready [to] change the way the Theatre works and how easy it is for the various performers to operate. The main thing for Rome, I think, is that we are making a very strong stake in the ground saying ‘We are about this community’.”
The initial grant will go towards a new proscenium at the Theatre, a frame that defines a stage and points the audience’s attention towards the show. The multi-year grant will go towards a slew of upgrades and updates to Rome’s DeSoto Theatre.
Fox Gives issued a news release on Thursday, which read:
Fox Gives, the nonprofit arm of Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, has awarded a $500,000 multiyear grant to Rome’s historic DeSoto Theatre to support a phased renovation of its stage and backstage areas. Since 2008, the Fox Theatre has invested a total of $677,500 in the DeSoto Theatre through multiple single-year grants and this latest multiyear award.
Announced during the organization’s recent Big Check Ceremony, the funding will enhance safety, accessibility and functionality within the theatre, helping position the DeSoto as a stronger hub for performances, education and community engagement.
The investment will support upgrades to dressing rooms, accessibility features and core infrastructure, ensuring the theater can better serve performers, students and audiences alike while expanding opportunities for educational programming.
“This support strengthens the heart of how the DeSoto operates,” said Leanne Cook, president of the Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation. “From backstage to the stage itself, these improvements will directly impact the people who rely on this space to create, learn and connect.”
As one of Georgia’s treasured historic venues, the DeSoto Theatre plays a vital role in downtown Rome’s cultural and economic vitality. This funding will help preserve that legacy while preparing the space for future generations of artists and audiences.
“The DeSoto Theatre now represents the largest investment of Fox Theatre rehabilitation funding outside of our own National Historic Landmark in Midtown Atlanta,” said Leigh Burns, Fox Gives director of community partnerships. “We’re thrilled these improvements will elevate the experience for performers and audiences while also driving community and economic impact well beyond the heart of downtown Rome.”
The grant is part of a $1 million multiyear investment from Fox Gives – its first time awarding dual multiyear grants in a single year – reinforcing the organization’s commitment to preserving historic theaters that serve as cultural anchors across Georgia.
Announced during National Historic Preservation Month, the funding underscores the importance of maintaining spaces that drive tourism, support local economies and foster community connection.
Since its inception in 2008, Fox Gives has invested more than $5.7 million in historic theaters and cultural landmarks across Georgia and the Southeast.
Visit foxtheatre.org for more information.
