Setting the Stages Campaign
We’re embarking on a multi-year renovation of our complete 36-acre campus. This $125 million campaign will touch all of our venues, setting the stage for our 125th anniversary in 2029.
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Introducing the Next Stage: Martin Theatre
Preserving the Past. Preparing for the Future.
Following the transformation of the Hunter Pavilion, we’re turning our attention to another beloved Ravinia stage: the historic Martin Theatre. The only remaining building from Ravinia’s original 1904 architecture, the Martin has been a cherished home for music and memories for generations.
As the next stage of the Setting the Stages campaign, a two-year renovation will bring thoughtful improvements to accessibility and the experience for artists and audiences while honoring the character and history of this special place. The Negaunee Foundation’s transformational $38 million gift has launched this next chapter. Now, we need your help to bring it to completion.
Why the Martin Theatre?
For more than a century, the Martin Theatre has been part of Ravinia’s story. As we look toward our park’s 125th anniversary in 2029, this historic space needs thoughtful investment to carry that story forward for generations to come.
Preserving Our History
This campaign celebrates the past 125 years of magical moments and paves the way for future generations to experience the joy of music in a setting that is both historic and state-of-the-art. Our aim is to revitalize Ravinia’s concert stages, ensuring they continue to resonate with the sounds of tomorrow and preserving the timeless spirit of the festival for years to come.
Building Ravinia’s Future
Your support is not just an investment in bricks and mortar; it’s the keystone in preserving the cultural heritage and vitality of Ravinia and its community. Ravinia’s rich history is woven from your stories, whether you shared a picnic under the stars with your sweetheart, had your first experience of classical music with the gentle tutelage of a parent or grandparent, or danced joyfully to the melodies of your favorite artist alongside dear friends on the Lawn.
Help us write the next movement of Ravinia’s extraordinary opus so your family can continue this cherished legacy.
Over $114M raised — 91% to goal
Inspire Generations: We need your support for ongoing projects.
By contributing to this campaign, you’re embracing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a pivotal part of Ravinia’s enduring legacy—from our iconic pavilion to our other main stages, including the landmark Martin Theatre. Join us in this historic journey to preserve and enhance a place where countless hearts have connected and where future memories await to be born.
Donate to Setting the Stages
Please contact our Campaigns team at campaigns@ravinia.org to explore options, such as monthly donations or multi-year pledges, that can make giving a meaningful gift more manageable.
Make a Gift of Any Amount
Be a Part of This Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
Preserve and enhance this venue where tradition meets transformation.
Join Club 125
Be a Part of Ravinia’s Future, One Month at a Time
Honor Ravinia’s 125th anniversary in 2029 through this monthly giving program that offers a simple and meaningful way to help set the stage for the next 125 years, spread out as budget-friendly installments. By joining Club 125, you commit to automatic contributions of $125 each month through December 2029, or email us to set an end date of your choice. Talk with us about recognition opportunities for Club 125 supporters, as well as payment plans to divide any of the naming-opportunity gifts below into monthly installments. During checkout with a Club 125 gift, you may be prompted to enter credit card information, even if you saved these details to your account after a previous donation or purchase. This “Renewable” payment method will be used for the monthly recurring Club 125 gift amount. Other donations or purchases must be made in a separate transaction from a Club 125 gift.
$2,500
Name a Brick and Cement Your Connection to Live Music
Brick will be laid outside the Hunter Pavilion entrance gates. New bricks are inscribed and installed on a rolling basis.
$5,000
Name a Seat and Be Part of Ravinia’s Legacy
Seat will be in the rear section of the Hunter Pavilion. Specific seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that seat naming does not guarantee that location for any ticket reservations and/or future attendance. New naming plaques are inscribed and installed on a rolling basis.
$10,000
Name a Seat and Be Part of Ravinia’s Legacy
Seat will be in the middle section of the Hunter Pavilion. Specific seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that seat naming does not guarantee that location for any ticket reservations and/or future attendance. New naming plaques are inscribed and installed on a rolling basis.
$15,000
Name a Seat and Be Part of Ravinia’s Legacy
Seat will be in the front section of the Hunter Pavilion. Specific seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that seat naming does not guarantee that location for any ticket reservations and/or future attendance. New naming plaques are inscribed and installed on a rolling basis.
$125,000+
Commemorate 125 Years of Music
Add your name to an enduring display in honor of Ravinia’s quasquicentennial and the 50,000+ artists who have performed at the festival.
$250,000–$1,000,000+
Sponsor a Backstage Room or Green Room
Be part of the artists’ experience preparing for the stage and reveling in the afterglow.
Additional leadership gifts and naming opportunities—such as gates, meet and greet areas, and artist dressing rooms—are available. For more information, please contact our Campaigns team at campaigns@ravinia.org or 847‑266‑5089.
Donations to the Setting the Stages campaign do not come with any Ravinia Annual Fund benefits for the summmer concert season.
Reclaimed RAVINIA
During the Hunter Pavilion’s once-in-a-generation renovation, materials from its storied past were reclaimed to continue connecting to music lovers as limited-edition commemorative pieces. Purchase historic audience seats, framed sections of the retired stage floor, and more special treasures that support our ongoing transformation.
The Hunter Pavilion
Honoring Maxine and Thomas B. Hunter III
During our Summer 2026 season, we proudly welcomed you to the transformed Hunter Pavilion, which combines fresh design with inspiration from Ravinia’s iconic history. In recognition of extraordinary leadership gifts, the venue has been named the Hunter Pavilion, and the new backstage area is now known as The Negaunee Foundation Artist Center.
Design & Architecture
Why the Pavilion?
Our amphitheater is the center of everything that happens at Ravinia. Go behind the scenes as we take you through the renovation process and the Hunter Pavilion’s transformation. From the archival footage and photos to the final touches, see how Ravinia brought this vision to life.
Inside the Pavilion Renovation
Watch the magic unfold in this animated journey from blueprints to real-life renderings! We’ll take you through some of the key features of the renovation, from architectural plans to stunning 3D visualizations.
Setting the Stages Campaign FAQs
Does a donation to Setting the Stages go toward donor benefits?
Donations to the Setting the Stages campaign are separate from the Annual Fund and do not provide donor benefits for the summer concert season. To secure your summer benefits, please make a separate gift as an individual donor or a Corporate Partner.