March 2026
The Grand Oshkosh, Wisconsin’s oldest continually operating theatre, today announced a transformational $1 million investment from Verve, a Credit Union. The contribution represents the largest gift received in The Grand’s more than 140 year history and is part of the ongoing Our Grand Moment campaign to expand and reimagine the historic facility.
With this gift, The Grand Lounge will be more-than-doubled-in-size and reimagined as The Verve Lounge.
The redesigned space will continue serving audiences of shows in the historic Grand Opera House auditorium, while also serving as a flexible second venue offering a new slate of programming. When complete, The Verve Lounge is expected to host more than 150 events each year, including comedy, cabaret, live music, open mic nights, student workshops, and daytime meetings for local businesses.
“At Verve, we believe in people helping people—and that means investing in the places that bring our community together,” said Kevin J. Ralofsky, President & CEO of Verve, a Credit Union. “The Grand is one of those places. We’re honored to support its next chapter through The Verve Lounge—a welcoming, flexible space that will create new opportunities for connection, help local artists thrive, draw more people downtown, and strengthen the cultural and economic heartbeat of Oshkosh.”
“The Verve Lounge will allow us to engage a broader range of patrons—especially younger audiences—and further diversify our programming and revenue model,” said Joseph A. Ferlo, President & CEO of The Grand Oshkosh. “The Grand is more than a theatre—it’s a gathering place, the centerpiece of a vibrant downtown, and a keeper of local history. This exciting partnership with Verve, a Credit Union empowers us to realize our vision to expand access and beautifully demonstrates how history and innovation can coexist at The Grand.”
The Verve Lounge lays a cornerstone of Our Grand Moment, The Grand Oshkosh’s ongoing campaign to expand and modernize the historic facility. The effort includes infrastructure upgrades, improved accessibility, and new community spaces that will keep the theatre vibrant and sustainable. This gift from Verve, a Credit Union represents the largest, record-setting gift to-date, and the seventh received so far for The Grand Oshkosh’s efforts, raising the bar for arts philanthropy not just in our region, but for historic theatres statewide. With additional support from the public, The Grand looks forward to realizing its vision of both preservation and innovation, strengthening its roles as both a cultural landmark and economic driver for downtown Oshkosh.
