After serving the Elgin area for more than 30 years, arts nonprofit Hamilton Wings formally dissolved Sept. 30.
According to a letter posted to the organization’s website in August, the board of directors’ decision to end operations came after a period of reflection and evaluation following the passing of Hamilton Wings founder and Executive Director Risé Jones, who died unexpectedly in December 2024.
The letter noted that the organization saw increased attendance and revenue this summer for 23rd SCORE!, its student-written-and-performed opera, which was staged at Elgin Community College, where Hamilton Wings was an artist-in-residence ensemble. The group also refined donor engagement, recruited five new board members and streamlined operations.
“Despite these achievements, the board and leadership recognized the immense challenge of sustaining an organization so intrinsically tied to its founder’s unique vision, alongside an impending long-term funding shortage,” the letter said.
Contacted by phone Tuesday, Oct. 6, Hamilton Wings Board President Donna Anderson said about 40 children and 20 adults were involved in various aspects of staging SCORE!. The final after-school program Hamilton Wings ran was last school year at Washington Elementary School in Elgin, Anderson said. Girls in Motion was led by Danae Anderson and focused on using movement and arts activities to help a dozen students build confidence and self-esteem.
Anderson became friends with Jones more than 30 years ago when both were on the board of directors at YWCA Elgin. She has been involved with Hamilton Wings for more than 20 years. Anderson said hundreds of children took part in the organization’s offering during its run, to positive effect.
“When I would hear alums speak it would bring tears to my eyes. They loved Dr. Jones. She changed so many lives over the years. She helped so many build their confidence and made them feel they were worthy of respect,” Anderson said.
Local attorney and Hamilton Wings Board Treasurer Jeff Meyer has been involved with the organization since 2009.
“At the end of the day, Risé was absolutely irreplaceable. She was the glue that held things together,” Meyer told The Courier-News by phone Monday, Oct. 5.
Meyer said that while he had no background in the arts himself, he fell in love with the mission of Hamilton Wings.
“Hamilton Wings had a tremendous impact on children. Not every kid develops leadership skills the same way, and Hamilton Wings helped them develop those skills through the arts. Through its programming, it was great to see kids come out of their shells and find their voices,” Meyer said.
Jones started Hamilton Wings in 1996 with her mother, the late Ann Jones, who was a School District U-46 elementary school principal. The organization was named in memory of Jones’ father, psychologist Charles Hamilton Jones.
In the online letter, Brittany Barber, who was named Hamilton Wings executive director in September 2025, said that the organization’s legacy of believing in children and giving to the community won’t go away with the closing.
“What Dr. Jones taught us lives on every time a child dares to create, every time an alum champions the arts and every time our community pursues a bold idea. Hamilton Wings lasted long enough to deeply impact this city, and that is a legacy we will carry forward,” Barber said in the letter.
Remaining financial assets and unspent grant funds were being returned, while costumes and stage materials were being donated to local nonprofit partners, according to the letter. Hamilton Wings also concluded its partnership with Elgin Community College.
Anderson said the Hamilton Wings board met Monday night, Oct. 5. At the suggestion of local philanthropists Mark and Robin Seigle, members were planning to donate any funding left beyond the above to create an arts scholarship at ECC in memory of Jones and Hamilton Wings.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The (Elgin) Courier-News.
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