American Ballet Theatre announced a $300,000 Challenge Grant issued by Vice President and Treasurer of the Board of Governing Trustees, Brian J. Heidtke. It was announced today by Lewis S. Ranieri, Board Chairman.

Heidtke initiated the $300,000 Challenge Grant to raise funds for the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre over the next three years. Heidtke’s contribution is the lead gift toward a goal of $1 million in endowed scholarships for the JKO School.

A Board member since 2000, Heidtke is the retired Vice President of Finance and Corporate Treasurer of the Colgate-Palmolive Company. He also serves as Chair of the Education Committee of ABT’s Board and is active on the boards of the Williams Capital Management Trust and the Wildlife Conservation Society. He is a trustee of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries, the Archaeological Institute of America, The Pearl Theatre Company and a number of inner city children’s’ literacy organizations in New York and New Jersey. In offering this Grant, Heidtke said, “Too frequently, limited financial resources serve as an insurmountable barrier to extremely talented and dedicated students. Through endowed scholarships at the JKO School, we can enable gifted young dancers to pursue their dreams and aspirations, regardless of financial circumstance.”

For information on participating in the Brian J. Heidtke Challenge Grant, please call the ABT Development office at (212) 477-3030, extension 3268.

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