$50 million gift to university by Ramon W. Breeden Jr. and $44 million from David and Kathleen LaCross to support development of center for the arts
A University of Virginia committee convened to discuss recent major philanthropic contributions that will significantly impact the university’s arts initiatives.
Among the key donations is a $50 million gift from real estate developer and philanthropist Ramon W. Breeden Jr., a longtime supporter of UVA.
Ramon W. Breeden, Jr. is Chairman of the Board and founder of The Breeden Company, a nationally ranked developer. Mr. Breeden began his career in single-family home construction and soon progressed to multifamily and commercial developments. He founded The Breeden Company in 1961. Prior to establishing The Breeden Company, he held various positions in real estate sales and mortgage financing.
Mr. Breeden received his Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce in 1956 from the McIntire School of Commerce at The University of Virginia. His post-graduate studies in Business took place at The University of Richmond.
Mr. Breeden was a founder and former member of the board of directors of Commerce Bank in Virginia Beach, Virginia, which was purchased by Branch Bank & Trust (BB&T) of Virginia.
He also served as a state director of Branch Banking & Trust Company of Virginia. Mr. Breeden was also a member of the McIntire Foundation Board at The University of Virginia from 1994-1996.
Prior to that, he served on the McIntire Advisory Board for several years. He has served as a member of the Advisory Council of the Real Estate Graduate School of Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Mr. Breeden has served as president of the Tidewater Builders Association, as well as the state and local director of the Tidewater Association of Home Builders. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors for the Hampton Roads Military, Federal Facilities Alliance and Virginia Beach Education Foundation.
Mr. Breeden has held posts on the boards of several other non-profit organizations. He is a significant supporter of various SPCAs and animal rescue organizations.
This gift follows a previous $50 million donation, further underscoring the strong financial backing for the university’s artistic endeavors.
Additionally, David and Kathleen LaCross have contributed $44 million to support the same initiative.
These transformative gifts are designated to support the development of the Center for the Arts, a major cultural and educational initiative located within the Emmet-Ivy Corridor.
The Center for the Arts is designed to integrate multiple artistic and academic institutions, including the forthcoming Performing Arts Center, the Fralin Museum of Art, the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, and various academic arts programs.
The new center aims to serve as a hub for artistic collaboration, fostering interdisciplinary engagement between students, faculty, and the broader community.
The project remains contingent on final approval of the state budget, which will determine the timeline and scope of the initiative’s implementation.
Once completed, the Center for the Arts will align with the University of Virginia’s broader 2030 Plan, a strategic vision aimed at elevating academic excellence, enhancing public engagement, and expanding opportunities for students and faculty to engage with the arts in an innovative and dynamic environment.