The Martin-Anderson Gracia Anderson Foundation announced today that it will donate $1 million to help build the Dr. P Phillips Orlando Performing Arts Center (DPAC) in the heart of downtown Orlando. The announcement was made by T. Picton Warlow IV, Vice President of The Martin Andersen-Gracia Andersen Foundation board of directors, at Orlando City Hall.

The Martin Andersen-Gracia Andersen Foundation began as The Sentinel Star Foundation in the 1960's when Martin Andersen was owner/publisher of the Orlando Star (precursor to The Orlando Sentinel). Mr. Andersen was instrumental in many major regional decisions, including the construction on Interstate 4 and the development of Walt Disney World. When Gracia Andersen passed away in 2000, the remainder of the Andersen estate transferred to the foundation, which is headquartered in College Park where the Andersen family resided for years.

Precious local cultural beneficiaries of funding from the Martin Andersen Foundation have included United Arts, The Orlando Museum of Art, Michelee Puppets, and the Cornell Fine Arts Museum of Rollins College.

"We thank the Martin Andersen-Gracia Andersen Foundation for its long-term commitment to the arts in Cenrtal Florida," said DPAC President Kathy Ramsberger. "This gift to The Performing Arts Center is not only financial contribution; it is an endorsement from a central florida icon. "

This donation comes at a critical juncture, as DPAC boosters are raising private funds that will help make this project a reality. To achieve its fund raising goal, the non profit is currently seeking $100 million from private contributors.The Martin Andersen-Gracia Andersen Foundation gift brings the total amount of cheritable contributions raised to $68 million.