June 15, 2026 – A surprise announcement at Lincoln Square Theater on Monday revealed a major investment in the future of one of Decatur’s most recognizable cultural institutions.
The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation announced the creation of the W. Daniel and Donna J. Hardy Endowment for Lincoln Square Theater, a permanent charitable fund established through a $300,000 gift from Dan and Donna Hardy.
The announcement was made during a gathering of theater volunteers and supporters at the downtown Decatur venue. The endowed fund is expected to provide an annual distribution of approximately 5 percent to support theater operations, programming, preservation efforts, and future growth.
Foundation leaders said the endowment will create a lasting source of financial support while honoring the Hardys’ commitment to strengthening the community through arts and culture.
“Lincoln Square Theater is one of Decatur’s most treasured community assets,” said Natalie Beck, chief executive officer of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation. “Dan and Donna Hardy understand that preserving important institutions requires long-term thinking. Through this endowment, they are creating a permanent legacy that will benefit the theater and our community forever.”
The gift was made through the Illinois Gives Tax Credit Program, which provides donors who make qualifying gifts to permanent endowments with a 25 percent Illinois state income tax credit while helping establish long-term charitable resources for local communities.
“This is the largest Illinois Gives gift I have had the privilege of helping facilitate,” said Missy Batman, chief operating officer of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation. “It has been an honor to work with Dan and Donna Hardy throughout this process. Their generosity, vision, and commitment to creating lasting impact for our community are truly inspiring. Through this gift, they are not only supporting Lincoln Square Theater today but helping ensure its success for generations to come.”
According to the foundation, donors working through the Illinois Gives program have established more than $773,000 in new endowed gifts since January and more than $1.3 million since the program launched in 2025.
Under the endowment structure, the principal investment will remain intact while annual earnings are distributed to Lincoln Square Theater, creating a permanent funding source that can support the venue for years to come.
Foundation officials said the gift reflects the Hardys’ longstanding commitment to community development, quality-of-life initiatives, and projects that enhance Decatur as a place to live, work, and visit.
“This endowment provides stability and opportunity for the future,” Beck said. “It allows Lincoln Square Theater to focus not only on today’s needs but also on the generations of audiences, performers, and community members who will enjoy this remarkable venue in the years ahead.”
Located in downtown Decatur, Lincoln Square Theater serves as a center for live entertainment, educational programming, community events, and cultural experiences. Supporters say the new endowment will help ensure the continued vitality of the historic theater for decades to come.
