Endowment: (n) a fund of money, the principal of which is held in perpetuity and invested and from which the organization can only use the return on investment/income

Income from The Philadelphia Orchestra’s endowment fund is critical in that it

1. helps fill the gap between revenue and expenses, and
2. provides the flexibility to pursue new opportunities by developing programs and exploring technologies.

Did You Know?

• Earned income, mostly from ticket sales, only covers approximately 45% of the Orchestra’s operating costs.
• The Philadelphia Orchestra most recently ranked in the top 20 among the 247 organizations that reported results on endowment investment returns, in a recent Chronicle of Philanthropy survey.
• The Philadelphia Orchestra now has the fourth largest endowment of American orchestras – and when the campaign began, Philadelphia had only the seventh largest – a jump of $61 million to $166 million.

* Figures accurate as of 12/11/06.

Letter from Christoph Eschenbach, Music Director
I grew up listening to The Philadelphia Orchestra. It is a musical treasure, one we should feel proud to polish every day so it shines. I am amazed at the skill of these musicians, at how deeply they feel the urge for perfection. Because I feel it, too, together we can make magnificent music.

In Philadelphia now we have a marvelous opportunity to remove the invisible curtain between musicians and audience. Our beautiful new Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall has accomplished this architecturally, but we must go further to welcome audiences into our art. We must break the ice and warm the soul.
I believe profoundly that a concert should be more than a social occasion. It must also provide spiritual enrichment. Transcending barriers of language, music speaks powerfully to everyone, consoling people in pain, uplifting those in despair, inspiring us all beyond our daily lives. I look forward to reaching out to young people as well as adults, to bringing new audiences from all backgrounds into the charmed circle of The Philadelphia Orchestra.

We can expand this circle not only in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, but to the world, through the Internet. The Philadelphia Orchestra has a tradition of being first in many things, and with today's technology-and tomorrow's-we can enlarge and enrich the audience for classical music as Leonard Bernstein did on television in the 1950s and '60s. By being as adventurous as we are authoritative, The Philadelphia Orchestra will be the world's pre-eminent orchestra in the twenty-first century.
I know from experience that this cannot be accomplished without your enthusiastic support. I arrived as music director of the Houston Symphony in 1988, in the midst of a regional recession. The price of oil had plummeted, yet we launched a successful capital campaign that instilled in Houston and among the musicians a new pride in their orchestra.

Philadelphians have felt such pride for more than a century, but we must remember that greatness cannot be taken for granted. It must be nurtured and nourished. An enhanced endowment will support the artistic and educational projects, electronic media, touring, and other activities that ensure local excitement and international recognition.
As Beethoven said, "Music comes from the heart, and goes to the heart." Never have our hearts needed music's gifts more, and I am honored, with all my heart, to lead The Philadelphia Orchestra in sharing those gifts with Philadelphia and the world.

Message from James Undercofler, President and CEO
Dear Friends,

I write to you, our family of supporters, to thank you and to enjoin you in our great venture. The Philadelphia Orchestra has cast its glorious sound on the musical world in America for over a century, now a formidable tradition and force in its own right.

Now perhaps more than ever, as we are bombarded continuously with low quality messages, those of us who know the enriching value of music to communities and to individuals must invest to insure that these qualities endure for future generations. I, for one, need to know that our marvelous orchestra will be here – and secure – for as long as I can imagine.

So, deep thanks to you for making this force, The Philadelphia Orchestra, possible. It’s truly an investment that keeps on giving!

Sincerely,

Make your contribution to A Sound, A City, A Civilation:  The Campaign for the Philadelphia Orchestra today or contact the Campaign Office at 215.875.7654 or campaign@philorch.org.