The Drake Announces Transformational $250,000 Gift to Endow Director Position

AMHERST — The Drake, a live performance and music venue in downtown Amherst, announced a transformative $250,000 donation that will allow the organization to hire and endow a new director position, marking a significant milestone after four successful artistic and financial years. The search for the director will begin immediately.

The gift was made by Amherst residents who have supported the Drake’s capital campaign and annual giving efforts since its founding. Their passion for the arts and commitment to the economic vitality of downtown Amherst inspired this investment to ensure the Drake’s sustainability for decades to come.

Founded by the nonprofit Downtown Amherst Foundation, the Drake was created to foster economic viability, sustainability, and vibrancy in downtown Amherst through arts and culture. Since opening, the venue has hosted thousands of artists from across the globe and from the local community, establishing itself as a cornerstone for live performance in the region.

The Drake has built enduring collaborations with Amherst College’s Music Department and faculty, the UMass Amherst Fine Arts Center and Music Department, and performing arts programs at Amherst regional public schools. Together, these partnerships have created unique performance series and educational opportunities that enrich both students and the broader community.

The venue hosts monthly jazz concerts followed by jam sessions with the Green Street Trio and continues to expand its Classical Chamber Series. Spanning rock, pop, jazz, funk, classical, folk, jam bands, swing, and more, the Drake brings diverse genres and audiences into downtown Amherst. Support from the local community, visiting guests, higher education partners, the town of Amherst, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council has been instrumental to the Drake’s success.

The newly endowed director position will work alongside the Drake’s small staff to expand donor engagement, strengthen development efforts, and oversee the financial stewardship of the growing nonprofit organization. Until now, the Drake’s board of directors has managed finances and development entirely on a volunteer basis.

“We have conceived, created, built, and financially sustained this remarkable venue with two incredible professionals, Lincoln Allen and Sam Leonard, running day-to-day operations and production. Everything else has been carried by a small group of dedicated volunteers,” said Gabrielle Gould, founder and board president. “While our efforts have brought us far, we recognize that the Drake now needs a director to oversee the budget and focus fully on development, donor relationships, and strategic growth. This incredible, generous, and game-changing support makes this possible.

“We brought the Drake to life. We’ve learned to toddle and then to walk. Now we are ready for someone with the skills, passion, and determination to take this amazing venue to the next level,” she went on. “We are excited to launch this search and welcome a leader who can maintain our strong relationships, grow new ones, and ensure the Drake remains here long into the future to entertain, create, and support artists.”