We are thrilled to announce that the Poetry Center Programs endowment will have a new name, the Colleen Burns Programs Endowment at the University of Arizona Poetry Center. Established to both help partially underwrite Poetry Center programs in perpetuity and to nurture growth and new initiatives, the Colleen Burns Programs Endowment takes pressure off annual giving needs and provides assurance in the Poetry Center’s annual operating budget.

Colleen and Jim Burns understood how important and valuable such a fund was and is to the Poetry Center. In late 2010 they made a significant investment to take the fund to the next level, thereby making the Programs Endowment a fundraising priority for the Poetry Center. Today, we are proud to report that the Colleen Burns Programs Endowment has a principal of $1.5 million dollars, and currently generates $60,000 per year in operating support.

The Poetry Center couldn’t be more excited with this naming; Colleen Burns served the Poetry Center for decades as both a docent and as a founding member of the Poetry Center’s Development Council, helping lead the completion of our landmark home. We’re thrilled to imagine Colleen’s name and memory supporting every aspect of our work—from hosting poets, to connecting with students, to providing meaningful continuing education experiences, to telling the story of our singular collection—in perpetuity.

The announcement of the endowment was made on Oct. 23rd at a celebration of Colleen Burns life at the Poetry Center. Born on August 9th, 1939, she passed away on December 28th, 2020.

Gifts to the Colleen Burns Programs Endowment can be made online, or by check made out to the University of Arizona Foundation/Poetry Center, with a note that funds are intended for the endowment, and mailed to:

University of Arizona Poetry Center c/o Tyler Meier PO 210150 Tucson, AZ 85721