Gift of $3 Million to New Canaan Library Names New Children's Room
New Canaan Library is extremely pleased to announce a generous leadership gift of $3 million to the Capital Campaign from New Canaan residents, Michael and Allison Rees.
“As engaged New Canaan community members with two young children of their own, Michael and Allison believe their gift will be an investment in the lives of future generations. After more than a decade of knitting themselves into the fabric of New Canaan, Michael and Allison have made the incredible decision to give back to the community they love by helping to create opportunities for all families to learn and grow. Their unbridled enthusiasm and exceptional commitment signal a new generation of philanthropic leadership in our midst,” notes Ellen Sullivan Crovatto, CEO of the Campaign for the NEW New Canaan Library.
“Michael and Allison’s generosity accompanies an exemplary fidelity to culture and civic life in New Canaan and reflects their sincere desire to make a difference,” said Lisa Oldham, Executive Director of the Library. “The Rees Family Children’s Library will forever reflect their exceptional vision.”
Michael and Allison Rees gift $3 million to the New Canaan Library, Children’s room to be renamed.
“We’ve had the privilege of raising two kids in this special community, so it was a natural decision to give back to the children and families of New Canaan. Our new Library is the heartbeat of the town and an inclusive space that will strengthen the community with great programming and opportunities for all generations to learn and interact,” noted Michael and Allison Rees.
Allison Rees is a former sales and marketing executive with Bloomberg L.P. She graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a B.A. in marketing and has been an active volunteer in the New Canaan Schools, the National Charity League, The Opportunity Network and Northwell Health among many other endeavors.
Michael Rees is Co-Founder and Co-President of Blue Owl Capital Inc., a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and of the firm’s Board of Directors. Mr. Rees also serves as the Head of Dyal Capital, a division of Blue Owl, which he founded when it was a division of Neuberger Berman Group. Prior to founding Dyal, Mr. Rees was a founding employee and shareholder of Neuberger Berman Group. He received a Master’s Degree in mechanical engineering and a Master’s Degree in Technology Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Rees currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and on the Board of Directors of The Opportunity Network, an education focused nonprofit that supports underserved students with postsecondary and career readiness education.
Donations to the Campaign for the New New Canaan Library are still encouraged. To become a donor, please visit www.newcanaannewlibrary.org or contact Ellen Sullivan Crovatto at (203) 594-5025 or ecrovatto@newcanaanlibrary.org.
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New Canaan Library has been the community's intellectual and cultural center for more than a century. Today, the Library continues to be the community’s core resource for learning and innovation, with an emphasis on transformational knowledge, instruction, and connections.