ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN

A Sound, A City, A Civilization

What a thrilling period in history for The Philadelphia Orchestra, its friends, and supporters! We have been presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure the future of one of the most revered orchestras in the world. An extraordinary and transformational $50 million lead gift from the Annenberg Foundation awarded in September 2003 enabled the Orchestra to announce the public phase of its $125 million endowment campaign, A Sound, A City, A Civilization: The Campaign for The Philadelphia Orchestra. Music Director Christoph Eschenbach, whose arrival coincided with this landmark announcement, has emphatically endorsed the mission of this campaign and promised to be an active and vocal participant in the effort to increase The Philadelphia Orchestra's endowment. "Philadelphians have been proud of this great orchestra for more than a century, but we cannot take this greatness for granted. It must be nurtured and nourished. We have great dreams for the next century, and we count on an enhanced endowment to make them reality. Our artistic, educational, media, touring, and other activities enable us to continue in the forefront of the international stage, as well as to better serve our own community. That is why this endowment campaign is so very crucial to our future."

THE CHALLENGE
On the heels of the exciting news of the endowment campaign came another galvanizing announcement. A Board member who wishes to remain anonymous has stepped forward with a $10 million two-for-one challenge. If the Orchestra is able to raise $10 million from active and emeritus Board members, and $10 million from other friends and supporters by August 2004, the donor will match it with another $10 million. As Campaign Chairman Peter A. Benoliel said in announcing this wonderful challenge to the Board of Directors, "This is a marvelous encouragement which challenges the Board and indeed the whole Philadelphia Orchestra family to step up and successfully complete this vital campaign." Campaign Vice Chairs Carole Haas Gravagno and Harold A. Sorgenti along with their Committee have been working enthusiastically to fulfill this charge.

THE DONOR WALL
As the Campaign unfolds and gathers momentum, plans are underway to honor, in a visible way, the generosity of the Orchestra's supporters who have already come forth with their gifts and pledges to the endowment fund. Those who have contributed $250,000 and more will be permanently recognized on a Donor Wall to be displayed at Verizon Hall in the Kimmel Center. This handsomely designed plaque, which will hopefully be unveiled in the fall of 2004, will remain as a testament to the munificence of so many who have chosen to guarantee with their gifts the future of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Now more than ever, performing arts institutions must have a strong and vital endowment if they are to survive. Philadelphia without its Orchestra would be unimaginable! Generous gifts to the endowment campaign will enable it to prosper for generations to come.

If you would like more information on how you can play a role in the campaign, please call 215.875.7654.