The Woodruff Arts Center, one of the largest arts centers in the world, has invited Morris, Manning & Martin partner John Yates to chair its Annual Corporate Campaign. The $13 million fundraising effort, which reaches out to Metro Atlanta companies and their leaders, supports critical operating expenses as well as program funding and educational outreaches.

“Even though it is the third largest arts center in the U.S., The Woodruff gets just one percent of its revenue from public funds,” Yates said. “That’s a fraction of the government support many peer institutions receive. The corporate campaign is crucial to its stability and growth. Plus, The Woodruff is extremely important to the economy,” he added. “A community’s cultural image is critical to attracting new companies, young professionals and tourists.”

The Woodruff Arts Center, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, is home to the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and High Museum of Art. More than 800,000 visitors from across the U.S. and the world travel to The Woodruff each year for outstanding theatre, music, exhibitions and educational programs.

Yates, a pioneering technology lawyer, is known throughout the Southeast for his community and philanthropic work. A Woodruff board member, he received the Charles Yates Trailblazer Award (no relation) for his service on The Woodruff’s 2017 corporate campaign. Earlier this year, The Woodruff gave MMM’s attorneys and staff the Employees for the Arts Needle Mover Award for the largest percentage increase in donations. The workplace giving program accounts for approximately $700,000 of the corporate campaign total. His wife, Ellen Yates, is a Leadership Member of the Woodruff’s Women’s Giving Circle.

“We are thrilled and honored to have John as the chair for the Arts Center’s annual corporate campaign,” said Woodruff Arts Center President and CEO Doug Shipman. “As a respected leader both here on the Arts Center campus and throughout the Atlanta community, John will set our volunteer team on a path for success.”

Yates previously chaired the Capital Campaign for the Duke University Law School Board of Visitors. He is also on a number of boards including The Carter Center’s Board of Councilors, Furman University’s Board of Trustees, Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute’s Advisory Council and the Atlanta Master Chorale’s Advisory Council. Plus, CURE Childhood Cancer, a nonprofit dedicated to funding disease-fighting research and supporting children with cancer and their families, honored the Yates family with the inaugural Ragab Spirit of Hope Award this year.