Brenda Billings Memorial Match

On May 10, The Denver Actors Fund announced a $10,000 gift from an anonymous donor in honor of the non-profit organization's late president, Brenda Billings. It represents the largest gift in the three-year history of the organization, which provides financial and other relief to local artists in situational medical need.

The announcement was made at a benefit concert honoring Billings' memory at the downtown Hard Rock Cafe.

The donor's wish is for the donation to be the launch of an ongoing matching campaign to raise another $10,000 in Billings' memory.

Billings, mother of four and Artistic Director at Miners Alley Playhouse, was called "a warrior of acceptance."

"One of her greatest gifts on this Earth was watching over all of us," said actor Annaleigh Ashford, who won a Tomy Award last year for her work in "Sylvia" on Broadway . "Only an incredible woman like Brenda could be the matriarch of such a magical group of people I consider family. Her guidance, humor, creativity and love, along with her equally incredible husband, created four beautiful humans who all give to this world more than they take. Her passion for storytelling and art is carried on through all of us who were lucky enough to call her friend. I am blessed and happy to be one of them."

In just the 10 months Billings served as President, the Denver Actors Fund generated more than $41,000. She was instrumental in securing the Denver Actors Fund's eligibility to participate in Colorado Gives Day, which raised about $11,000 for the nonprofit in a single day. "This unique and vital organization is making such an important difference in the lives of the Denver theatre community," she said when she was appointed.