Encore Fund is Joining Second Act!

Second Act Welcomes The Encore Fund to the Second Act Family

We’re excited to share that The Encore Fund, a scholarship program supporting dancers transitioning into higher education, will officially be joining Second Act as part of a strategic integration. Beginning July 1, 2025, Encore Fund will serve as the foundation of Second Act’s newly established Scholarships Program, expanding our ability to champion dancers beyond the stage.

We’re also excited to welcome The Encore Fund’s founder, Shelby Whallon, as our new Director of Scholarships. Shelby will continue her incredible work within Second Act, advancing our shared mission to empower dancers through every chapter of their journey.

Second Act and The Encore Fund have long been aligned in purpose and partnership, with many Encore scholarship recipients also participating in our mentorship program. By joining forces, we’re combining Encore’s proven track record in scholarship administration with Second Act’s mentorship infrastructure and operational support. The result: more comprehensive, sustainable support for dancers pursuing new futures through higher education.

“Encore’s mission housed under one organization will help dancers excel beyond the final curtain closing, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.”

- Shelby Whallon,

Founder of The Encore Fund

For now, The Encore Fund name will continue as the branding for our scholarship program, honoring the relationships and community Shelby has built since founding the fund in 2021. All existing Encore Fund commitments and relationships will remain intact - including donor engagement and award structure.

The Encore Fund will now operate within Second Act as our central scholarship program.

• Shelby Whallon will lead the program as Director of Scholarships.

• Our combined fundraising efforts will allow us to grow the number of scholarships we award each year.

• The application process will be aligned with Second Act’s mentorship model, offering awardees an expanded set of resources.

We are deeply grateful to Shelby for entrusting us with the legacy of Encore and thrilled to have her as part of the leadership team. This is more than an integration – it’s a step forward in building a stronger, more inclusive future for dancers’ transitions everywhere.

Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for being part of this journey.

The Second Act Team

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