Dave Chappelle Headlines Benefit for Theater Endowment at Duke Ellington School of the Arts

The Ellington Fund and Bridge to Bold Presents Dave Chappelle:
A Benefit for the Duke Ellington School of the Arts
Sept 25, 2026 | 7:30 PM
DAR Constitution Hall | Washington, DC

Individual tickets to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts benefit are available through LiveNation.com and are sold at market value, which is considered a purchase, not a donation. It won't show up on your taxes, and it won't show up on our wall.

INDIVIDUALS
Here is where you can do both. Click "Donate" to make a tax-deductible contribution to the school for any amount, and your name joins the virtual Ellington Donor Wall, alongside everyone funding the endowment, studios, and stages that make an Ellington education possible.

We teach our students to exceed expectations. Everything raised at the door goes to the school—what you give here is how we teach the same.

HIGHLIGHT OF BENEFITS AND ACCESS

Based on the tier, sponsors and donors receive:

• Premium and orchestra seating at the benefit show
• Admission to the after-party immediately following the benefit featuring Chappelle
• The opportunity to lead a workshop or masterclass with Ellington students
• Tickets to a DESA school performance in the 2026–27 school year
• An Ellington commemorative gift for every guest
• Recognition on the Ellington Donor Wall — on the www.pledge.to site, at the after-party, and on the DESA website.

SPONSOR & DONOR LEVELS
Sponsorships at $25,000 and above may be paid over multiple years; contact the development office to arrange a schedule.

Maestro — $100,000 | Title Partner

Tax-deductible: approximately $84,740

• 16 premium tickets to the benefit show at DAR Constitution Hall on Sept. 25, including a meet-and-greet and photo with the hosts
• 16 tickets to the after-party immediately following the show (location provided with sponsorship confirmation)
• 16 tickets to a DESA performance (Dance, Theatre, Jazz City, Opera Workshop, or CAMP Film Festival) in the 2026–27 school year
• Opportunity to host a workshop or masterclass at DESA
• Name or organization featured on the virtual donor wall on the www.pledge.to site, at the after-party, and on the DESA website
• Ellington commemorative gift for each guest
• Presenting billing on signage, website, recap video, merchandise, and impact report
• On-stage acknowledgment as an endowment funder

Virtuoso — $75,000

Tax-deductible: approximately $63,540

• 12 premium tickets to the benefit show at DAR Constitution Hall on Sept. 25, including a meet-and-greet and photo with the hosts
• 12 tickets to the after-party immediately following the show (location provided with sponsorship confirmation)
• 12 tickets to a DESA performance (Dance, Theatre, Jazz City, Opera Workshop, or CAMP Film Festival) in the 2026–27 school year
• Opportunity to host a workshop or masterclass at DESA
• Name or organization featured on the virtual donor wall on the www.pledge.to site, at the after-party, and on the DESA website
• Ellington commemorative gift for each guest

Visionary — $50,000

Tax-deductible: approximately $40,440

• 10 premium tickets to the benefit show at DAR Constitution Hall on Sept. 25, including a meet-and-greet and photo with the hosts
• 10 tickets to the after-party immediately following the show (location provided with sponsorship confirmation)
• 10 tickets to a DESA performance (Dance, Theatre, Jazz City, Opera Workshop, or CAMP Film Festival) in the 2026–27 school year
• Opportunity to host a workshop or masterclass at DESA
• Name or organization featured on the virtual donor wall on the www.pledge.to site, at the after-party, and on the DESA website
• Ellington commemorative gift for each guest

Luminary — $25,000

Tax-deductible: approximately $18,140

• 8 premium tickets to the benefit show at DAR Constitution Hall on Sept. 25
• 8 tickets to the after-party immediately following the show (location provided with sponsorship confirmation)
• 8 tickets to a DESA performance (Dance, Theatre, Jazz City, Opera Workshop, or CAMP Film Festival) in the 2026–27 school year
• Opportunity to host a workshop or masterclass at DESA
• Name or organization featured on the virtual donor wall on the www.pledge.to site, at the after-party, and on the DESA website
• Ellington commemorative gift for each guest

Trailblazer — $10,000

Tax-deductible: approximately $7,240

• 6 premium tickets to the benefit show at DAR Constitution Hall on Sept. 25
• 6 tickets to a DESA performance (Dance, Theatre, Jazz City, Opera Workshop, or CAMP Film Festival) in the 2026–27 school year
• Name or organization listed on the virtual donor wall on the www.pledge.to site, at the after-party, and on the DESA website
• Ellington commemorative gift for each guest

Champion — $5,000

Tax-deductible: approximately $3,140

• 4 premium tickets to the benefit show at DAR Constitution Hall on Sept. 25
• 4 tickets to a DESA performance (Dance, Theatre, Jazz City, Opera Workshop, or CAMP Film Festival) in the 2026–27 school year
• Name or organization listed on the virtual donor wall on the www.pledge.to site, at the after-party, and on the DESA website
• Ellington commemorative gift for each guest

Patron — $2,500

Tax-deductible: approximately $1,540

• 2 premium tickets to the benefit show at DAR Constitution Hall on Sept. 25
• 2 tickets to a DESA performance (Dance, Theatre, Jazz City, Opera Workshop, or CAMP Film Festival) in the 2026–27 school year
• Name or organization listed on the virtual donor wall on the www.pledge.to site, at the after-party, and on the DESA website
• Ellington commemorative gift for each guest

Friend—$500

Tax-deductible: approximately $90

• 1 orchestra ticket to the benefit show at DAR Constitution Hall on Sept. 25
• 1 ticket to a DESA performance (Dance, Theatre, Jazz City, Opera Workshop, or CAMP Film Festival) in the 2026–27 school year
• Name listed on the virtual donor wall on the www.pledge.to site, at the after-party, and on the DESA website
• Ellington commemorative gift for one guest

For more than fifty years, DESA has been built on a bold idea: a young artist's talent should never be limited by their circumstances. Our 50th anniversary celebration continues, and you're invited to help us write the next fifty.

Questions? Contact Veronica Martin, Collaborative Projects Manager:
Benefits@ellingtonarts.org | (646) 713-9327 | www.ellingtonarts.org

Sponsorships at $25,000 and above may be paid over multiple years; contact Ellington Fund Board Chair Priscilla Clarke, priscilla@clarkepr.com. 

Tax-deductible amounts are estimates based on the fair-market value of benefits received; your written acknowledgment will confirm the exact figure. Please consult your tax advisor. DESA is a 501(c)(3) organization. the arts and wellness programs and resources that make an Ellington education extraordinary.