October 2024

As the chair of SEMPRE ALWAYS: The Campaign for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, it is my pleasure to share an update about this vital initiative with you. Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association family have joined together to make significant progress, and I am encouraged by supporters’ enthusiasm for the campaign’s four main pillars: achieving financial sustainability, sustaining musical excellence, expanding education and community engagement and strengthening Chicago’s cultural fabric. The commitment to the legacy of the CSO is apparent in every unique gift — each curated to support what is meaningful and inspirational to you. Every gift is important to the overall success of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for generations to come. On behalf of the CSOA Board of Trustees and leadership, thank you for your generosity.

Sincerely,

Helen Zell Signature

Helen Zell

PROGRESS TO DATE

$175 Million Goal

92% Raised

$160.6 Million Overall Total Raised | 175 Total Commitments
Endowment: $98.3 Million | Board-Directed Investments Fund: $62.3 Million

Help us reach 100% by supporting SEMPRE ALWAYS.

Become a part of the legacy:

A video message from Frank Villella, Director, Rosenthal Archives

Additional videos are available to view.

In the spotlight

PLANNED GIVING — BECOME A PART OF THE LEGACY

Of the 175 total SEMPRE ALWAYS commitments to date, 82 campaign commitments have utilized planned giving. $39 million of the $160.6 million raised is entirely gifts through estate planning.

Consider documenting your estate plans with the CSO:

Your planned gift can be earmarked to support SEMPRE ALWAYS, helping to reach the campaign’s goal of $175 million.
Your planned gift will count toward the goal of 15 new documented estate plans — unlocking a $50,000 matching gift for SEMPRE ALWAYS from Penny and John Van Horn.
All planned giving donors enjoy the benefits of membership in the Theodore Thomas Society.

Access Planned Giving Gift Calculator

Submit Planned Giving Intention Form

WOMEN’S BOARD GUEST ARTIST ENDOWMENT FUND

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association Women’s Board is a group of dynamic women leaders who are passionate about the CSO and its mission.

To support SEMPRE ALWAYS, members have joined to support the Women’s Board Guest Artist Endowment Fund, a collective fundraising initiative to annually sponsor a guest artist, conductor or composer.

Under the leadership of Courtney Shea and Judy Feldman, $383,500 has been raised toward the $500,000 goal. Thank you to all the Women’s Board members who have supported this important initiative!

Women’s Board members can consider a one-time gift, an incremental gift in addition to their annual support, an estate gift or a unique combination. Please contact us for further information.

THE GOVERNING MEMBERS CHAIR

As a part of the SEMPRE ALWAYS campaign, the ambitious fundraising goal of $1 million for the Governing Members Chair is well underway. The inaugural holder of this rotating endowed chair is Assistant Principal Clarinet John Bruce Yeh.

$337,000 — or about 35% — has been raised toward the $1 million goal. Thank you to the Governing Members who have supported this consortium effort!

Governing Members can consider a one-time gift, an incremental gift in addition to their annual Governing Member support, an estate gift or a unique combination. Please contact us for further information.

Browse a full donor listing for SEMPRE ALWAYS.

Gifts are unique in size, timeline, structure and purpose.

To learn more, contact:

Al Andreychuk | AndreychukA@cso.org | 312-294-3150 | Contact Us

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