Barnes Family Foundation Donates $3M to the Carolina Theatre of Durham

The donation supports the maintenance of the historic nonprofit theater 

DURHAM, October 22, 2025 — The Carolina Theatre of Durham is honored to announce that the Barnes Family Foundation has made a generous gift of $3 million — the single largest gift in the theater’s 100-year history.

The donation will ensure the historic Carolina Theatre’s ongoing maintenance, with a portion dedicated to supporting the theater’s Centennial Celebration. The Barnes Family Foundation’s contribution, as well as the unveiling of the newly named Barnes Box Office and Barnes Stage, was announced to the public on October 21, during the theater’s signature seat naming event.  

Randy McKay, President and CEO of the Carolina Theatre, expressed appreciation for the gift, stating, “We are extremely grateful for the support of Barnes Family Foundation. We look forward to ensuring the longevity of this important Durham landmark through our partnership.” 

The partnership between the Barnes Family Foundation and the Carolina Theatre of Durham showcases the Foundation’s dedication to supporting local non-profit organizations. 

“The Barnes Family Foundation is Hyper-Local, Hyper-Public and proudly Durham Centric. As is the Carolina Theatre of Durham, of course, which stands tall and strong amidst our mission. It isn’t just a place. The Carolina Theatre creates a sense of place. It is unique among its peers with a creative cross section of independent and retro films, community programming and live performance experiences,” said Dr. Lee Barnes. 

Barnes, an established Durham business owner, community member, and longtime Carolina Theatre attendee, made the donation on behalf of the Barnes Family Foundation. 

“Growing up in Durham, my fond memories compel my interest in preserving this masterpiece of entertainment and architecture. Taking our now three adult sons as children and adolescents to classic movies or jazz ensembles, learning and a commitment to independent thinking was always the backdrop.  But my fondest endearment came during the mid-eighties when my good friend Ian Cohen and I would go downtown with others in a beat up 1972 mustard yellow Ford Pinto to watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Friday nights. Every night we came out, the car wouldn’t start, but it was still worth it. Much has changed in the 40 years since these youthful fun times, but then and now the sense of place remains in our hearts,” Barnes reminisced.

“We are proud to protect, enhance, enliven and enjoy this gem of Durham with the largest philanthropic gift in the Theatre’s history. The history is remarkable and treasured. And hopefully with this gift, the future, like the lights on the stage, is bright,” he added. 

By supporting the nonprofit theater’s mission of uniting the greater Durham community through the arts, this donation aims to enrich the lives of Durham residents and visitors across the Triangle. 

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About Barnes Family Foundation: 

Our mission is to support and reinforce the foundational structure of the individual. We want to help hyper-local and hyper-public nonprofit organizations that educate, promote, and refine the knowledge, skills and abilities in order to help individuals attain the agency and liberty for a practical, productive, and fulfilling life.

About The Carolina Theatre of Durham: 

Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which manages the city-owned Carolina Theatre at 309 W. Morgan Street, Durham, NC 27701. Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc. is dedicated to presenting vibrant, thought-provoking film and live performances that contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of downtown Durham and the Triangle Region. More information at carolinatheatre.org. 

Contact: Hanna Mercer
Senior Director of Marketing, Carolina Theatre of Durham
(919) 560-3040 | hanna@carolinatheatre.org