The Doniphan Development Plan

A One-Time Building Campaign Invitation

Doniphan Dance Project (DDP) is putting down roots. For more than a decade, our work has been shaped by this community, its families, its schools, and our partnerships with fellow arts organizations. The Doniphan Development Plan is our way of saying, with intention and clarity, we are here for the long haul.

Since 2024, DDP has grown beyond what we first imagined: more dancers, more classes, and more stories unfolding through movement with deeper partnerships in the process.. With that growth comes a responsibility—to build a space that can fully hold the community we serve and the future we are shaping, one dancer at a time.

We are writing to invite you into The Doniphan Development Plan, a one-time, separate building campaign designed to bring our new home fully to life by Summer 2026.

The Vision

Our goal is to raise $50,000 to complete Phase One of our build-out—the foundational work that makes the space fully functional, safe, and ready to serve dancers of all ages. These funds will allow us to complete:

• Interior walls and intentional studio layout

• An additional bathroom

• Professional sprung dance floors

• Barres, mirrors, and core infrastructure to support daily classes and rehearsals

These are the roots and the strong foundation these dancers deserve.  We are choosing a community-funded path forward, raising these resources upfront rather than relying on loans or lines of credit. 

Why This Matters

DDP exists so that access, not advantage or privilege, determines opportunity.

As our programs grow, this space will allow us to:

• Offer more classes across ages and styles

• Expand year-round programming

• Serve dancers regardless of socioeconomic status

This campaign is about stewardship and building intentionally now so that we can remain accessible, inclusive, and sustainable in the years to come.

Looking Ahead

Phase One sets the stage for Phase Two, which will focus on deeper enhancements and long-term sustainability. In November, we plan to apply for a Mississippi Arts Commission building grant, offering a 40% / 60% matching opportunity. Completing Phase One positions us strongly for that next chapter.

An Invitation

Because of your past generosity, you understand what DDP stands for and the opportunities it makes possible for dancers in our community. This is a one-time invitation, separate from annual or seasonal giving, to secure the physical foundation of this work.  As always, these gifts will be tax-deductible.

By investing in this build-out, you are helping anchor DDP more deeply into the fabric of Tupelo. We are choosing to invest here to grow with intention and stay grounded as we expand.  Roots matter. They allow growth without losing identity.

• Long-term access to high-quality dance education

• Partnerships with local schools, artists, and organizations

• A welcoming space that reflects DDP’s  values of generosity, resilience, and creativity

When you help plant these roots, you help cultivate a future where dance remains accessible, visible, and deeply woven into the cultural life of Tupelo, for this generation and the next.

We would be honored to speak with you personally about this campaign and how your support can help shape the future home of Doniphan Dance Project.  Additionally, we are considering naming opportunities for the space as a part of the giving opportunity that we will solidify as we finalize the build out plan.  Thank you for believing in the quiet, powerful work of this organization.

With gratitude,
Roxie Thomas Clayton
Founder & Artistic Director
Doniphan Dance Project