Hall Foundation gives $790K to KU

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas has received a $790,000 gift from the Hall Family Foundation.

The KU Endowment said in a release Tuesday that $430,000 will go toward renovating the university's Hall Center for the Humanities. Another $360,000 will go toward meeting a matching challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Victor Bailey, Hall Center director, said renovations will include creating a new seminar room and two office spaces.

The NEH challenge grant of $425,000 requires $1.275 million in matching gifts by July 31, 2015. The grant will underwrite two new programs at the Hall Center.

The Hall Family Foundation was started by the founder of Kansas City-based Hallmark Cards. KU Endowment is an independent organization that serves as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for the university.