Doug Miller, the director of development at Wharton, said the grant possibility was made known in January, and that he was excited to finally make the announcement.

“It’s a great gift,” Miller said. “MSU Federal Credit Union has been one of Wharton Center’s strongest partners … whenever we needed a key initiative or program to be funded, they’ve been right there, and it’s just been a wonderful partnership.”

The grant will be handled by MSU’s Office of Investments and Financial Management, and is expected to generate about $50,000 in income to further support the Broadway shows.

“It’s a great testament to not only the businesses within this community, but also the individuals who step up and know the value of the arts and know how they enrich a community,” Miller said.

In 2008, MSUFCU also provided a $2.5 million grant for Wharton Center to create the MSU Federal Credit Union Institute for Arts and Creativity. This year, MSUFCU Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer April Clobes said the credit union saw a need for creative enrichment within the MSU community and reciprocated.

“The university was looking to advance music in the community and … provide the opportunity for a variety of individuals to have access to arts and culture,” Clobes said. “We felt it would enhance the entire experience of the community, bring economic development for jobs and create a better community for everyone to live in.”

Bob Hoffman, Wharton Center’s public relations manager, said the grant will help bring concepts of Broadway shows to MSU and other local schools through funding educational programs.

“It’s great that the Broadway shows have these educational programs that we can turn around and take advantage of and integrate into our schools,” he said.