OUR COMMUNITY
T
he William Davidson
Foundation announced
two grants to honor the
life and memory of Byron and
Dorothy Gerson, the broth-
er-in-law and sister of the
Foundation’s founder. Totaling
$6.5 million, the grants to the
Detroit Institute of Arts and the
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
will support two of Michigan’s
arts and cultural institutions
that held special significance to
Mrs. Gerson and her late hus-
band, Byron. Mrs. Gerson died
in April 2021 at age 99.
“These grants, in memory
of my mother and father, are
a reflection of both family
and Foundation priorities,
”
said Ralph Gerson, treasurer
and director of the William
Davidson Foundation. “My
mother and my uncle had a
very close relationship through-
out their lives, going back to
their time growing up as chil-
dren living in Detroit. Together,
they were introduced to world-
class art, music and creative tal-
ents beginning at a young age.
It was important to them that
families across the region enjoy
similar experiences for genera-
tions to come.
”
Ralph Gerson also serves as
vice chair of the DIA Board of
Directors and as officer at large
on the DSO Board of Directors
The grants include $5 million
to the DIA. Mrs. Gerson was
a longtime board member of
the DIA and, along with her
husband, Byron “Bud” Gerson,
who passed away in 2013,
donated and funded the acqui-
sition of many pieces for the
museum’s collection.
The Foundation’s new
grant to the DIA
’s endowment
will support the museum’s
American Art department and
its position of curator, which
will now be named the Byron
and Dorothy Gerson Curator
and Department Head of
American Art. The gift will also
establish a new lecture series
to bring prominent speakers to
Detroit for free events to ben-
efit the DIA and metropolitan
Detroit communities.
“The Detroit Institute of
Arts is fortunate to have had
the Gersons as dedicated
and passionate leaders,
” said
Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA
director, president and CEO.
“They were devoted and
active members of the museum
for more than 40 years, who
generously donated a wide vari-
ety of objects to our permanent
collection in addition to provid-
ing financial support.
“We are grateful for this
new gift from the William
Davidson Foundation that will
help continue the work that
Bud and Dottie loved so much,
and allows us to commemorate
their legacy in the art world.
”
The grants also include $1.5
million for the DSO. Mrs.
Gerson served as a member of
the symphony’s Development
Committee, as she and Mr.
Gerson were active fundrais-
ers, life-long classical series
subscribers and regular attend-
ees of other performances at
Orchestra Hall.
This gift, to the DSO endow-
ment, will help ensure the
symphony’s continuing artistic
excellence — by attracting and
retaining the best musicians
and guaranteeing education
and youth programs in the
future. It also secures nam-
ing, in memory of Byron and
Dorothy Gerson, for the DSO’s
principal bassoon.
“My father and my aunt grew
up going to youth concerts
at the DSO, which created
memories that lasted for their
lifetimes,
” said Ethan Davidson,
grants committee chair
and director of the William
Davidson Foundation.
“Our family and Foundation’s
commitment to music in
Detroit spans three generations,
and we want to maintain that in
my aunt’s memory.
”
“Dorothy and Byron Gerson
were cherished members of the
DSO family for decades,
” said
Erik Rönmark, DSO president
and CEO. “They shared our
belief in the power of music to
change lives, and for the DSO
to be a powerful cultural bea-
con for the city and region.
“We are grateful for this new
gift from the William Davidson
Foundation that will have a
transformational impact and
allow us to maintain a high
level of excellence both onstage
and in the community, and
we thank the foundation and
Ralph Gerson for their contin-
ued partnership and leader-
ship.
”
Darin McKeever, presi-
dent and CEO of the William
Davidson Foundation, said,
“Dorothy Gerson lived a
remarkable life of service. As
we seek to build on William
Davidson’s legacy of generosity,
it is fitting that our Foundation
honors the memory of his only
sibling — an extraordinary
leader, not only for her family,
but for this community.
”
These new Detroit arts and culture grants are in
memory of Byron and Dorothy Gerson.
Davidson Foundation Announces
$6.5 Million in Grants
Dorothy Gerson
24 | FEBRUARY 17 • 2022
Byron Gerson
Ralph Gerson
Ethan Davidson