In an effort to memorialize the passing of Kaia Parker in August of 2000, her family and friends have joined with the Jewish Foundation to create the Kaia Parker Fund for Young Dancers. Monies donated to the fund will be allocated to deserving dance artists for summer study and special choreography or performance projects. Dancers between the ages of 12 and 21 who reside in the North Carolina counties of Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Orange or Wake are eligible to apply for funding. The Fund awarded the first five grants on May 10, 2001. Since that time, we have awarded over 40 grants to students who are now dancing professionally in New York (The American Ballet, Shen Wei, Alvin Ailey, etc.) and internationally in Germany and Spain.

Kaia once wrote: "Dance to me is my saving grace...[it] turned my whole existence around." We hope you will join us in remembering Kaia through your support of the Fund. Donations of any amount are most welcome. Click here to donate online or click here for information about how to apply to the Fund.