Lyric Opera of Chicago has announced a $20 million gift from The Negaunee Foundation, the philanthropic organization of Richard W. Colburn and his wife, Robin Colburn.

The gift will be divided equally between two funds. The first, The Negaunee Education Endowment, will provide permanent support for Lyric’s education initiatives, which will be newly named Negaunee Education Programs at Lyric Opera of Chicago. The endowment will fund in-school and family programming across Chicago, deepening existing partnerships with the Merit School of Music and launching a new collaboration with the Music Institute of Chicago.

The second $10 million establishes The Negaunee Fund for Mozart, dedicated to supporting an annual presentation of a Mozart opera as part of Lyric’s season. The fund will enable both revivals and new productions, including potential future stagings of the Mozart/Da Ponte trilogy.

“I’ve long believed that great cultural institutions are built through sustained investment — not only in what happens on stage, but in the people and communities they serve,” said Richard W. Colburn, per an official press release. “Supporting these efforts, alongside a continued investment in the operatic repertoire, is a meaningful way to help ensure that this art form remains vibrant and relevant.”

In recognition of the contribution, Lyric’s Board of Directors presented Colburn with the Carol Fox Lifetime Achievement Award, the company’s highest honor, at its annual meeting in May. Colburn also serves as an executive committee member on the Lyric board.