McConnells Donated $2.5 Million to Ursuline Academy
The contribution supports a $10 million renovation project for a new performing arts center in Wilmington.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Paul and Linda McConnell have pledged a $2.5 million gift to help fund a performing arts center at Wilmington's Ursuline Academy. The new McConnell Center for Performing Arts will revitalize a historic building on Van Buren Street.
Why it matters
The donation serves as a cornerstone for the school's ongoing Blaze Brighter fundraising campaign aimed at expanding campus facilities to accommodate rising enrollment. The project will transform a former church building into a dedicated space for student performances.
Ursuline Academy has secured approximately 80 percent of the $10 million needed for the project. The McConnells have contributed more than $4.5 million in total donations to the school over the past five years.
The players
Ursuline Academy
This is a private Catholic school located in Wilmington that has seen significant enrollment growth over recent years.
Paul and Linda McConnell
These donors are major supporters of Ursuline Academy and have provided over $4.5 million to the school since 2021.
The Brandywiners
This organization is a local theater group that will serve as the inaugural artists in residence at the new facility.
The details
The facility, located on Van Buren Street, previously housed the First Church of Christ Scientist and has been under school ownership for 25 years. The Brandywiners theater group will partner with the school as artists in residence once the project reaches completion.
Timeline
The school stopped using the Van Buren Street building in 2008 due to the recession.
Project renderings were unveiled at the Greenville Country Club on September 22, 2026.
Groundbreaking for the facility is scheduled for early 2027.
The school expects the center to open in spring 2028.
Market Landscape
This project reflects a broader trend of private institutions repurposing historic urban properties to meet the demands of growing student populations. The move strengthens Ursuline Academy's competitive position by centralizing arts programming within the local Wilmington community.
The project will provide new theatrical performance space for the local community and students. Residents should expect construction activity around Van Buren Street starting in early 2027.
The takeaway
Large-scale philanthropic gifts often serve as a catalyst for campus development projects by signaling stability to secondary donors. Homeowners and residents near Van Buren Street should anticipate a transition from a long-dormant building to an active cultural venue by 2028.
Further reading
For more information on regional charitable initiatives, visit the Philanthropy section.
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