When The Ashokan Center community comes together, incredible things happen.

Earlier this summer, community member Eileen Amy Ryan challenged our supporters with an extraordinary gift—a $100,000 Summer Match Challenge. Her hope was simple: inspire others to join her in supporting a place they love.

Thanks to hundreds of generous donors, we reached the goal.

But the story doesn’t end there.

As Eileen reacted to news of the completed match:

“So exciting, Sara. It’s what we really want—to inspire other members of our community to come forward and enjoy the excitement.”

That excitement has become something even bigger than we imagined.

A New Challenge Begins

The incredible response to the first match inspired another group of generous supporters to step forward!

Rather than ending the campaign, members of Ashokan’s Development Committee and Jay Ungar & Molly Mason stepped in to extend the Summer Match another $100,000, ensuring we can continue building on this incredible momentum. Now even more community members will be able to join in and the impact of their gift will be DOUBLED.  

Every Gift Strengthens Ashokan

Every donation helps ensure that Ashokan remains a place where people of all ages can learn, connect, and belong.

Your support makes possible:

  • Music & Dance scholarships that keep treasured cultural traditions alive and accessible.
  • Outdoor education programs that welcome thousands of students each year for unforgettable hands-on learning experiences.
  • Public festivals, concerts, and community events that bring people together through music, history, nature, and art.
  • The care and stewardship of Ashokan’s 385-acre campus, protecting this special place for generations to come.

Because of supporters like you, financial barriers don’t have to stand in the way of life-changing experiences.

One camp parent recently shared:

“I can’t say enough wonderful things about this camp and everyone who makes it possible. It has become an important part of our family’s summers, and I hope many more children get the chance to experience the same joy, adventure, and sense of belonging that my children have.”

Another wrote:

“We really appreciated the camp’s focus on getting kids outside, fostering curiosity about the natural world, and creating a fun, supportive environment. Of course, having this all available without a cost barrier was a huge bonus to Kingston families like ourselves. Thank you again to the counselors and staff for making it such a memorable week.”

These are the stories your generosity makes possible.

Help Us Finish Strong

Every dollar donated before the end of August will help strengthen Ashokan’s future and continue making our programs accessible to everyone who walks beneath the Ashokan arbor.

Whether it’s a child discovering the stars for the first time, a musician finding lifelong friends, a family making memories at a festival, or a student developing a deeper connection with the natural world, your generosity helps make those moments possible.

We are deeply grateful to Eileen Amy Ryan for launching this remarkable campaign, to everyone who helped us achieve the first $100,000 match, and to the Ashokan Development Committee and leadership who have stepped forward to keep the momentum going.

Together, we’re ensuring that The Ashokan Center remains a place where people can gather, learn, create, and grow for generations to come.

Ready to double your impact? Make your matched gift today and help us finish the Summer Match strong.