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Endowment
Colorado Symphony Endowment Fund
The Colorado Symphony Association is an iconic cultural pillar of the Colorado performing arts community. To ensure that the Colorado Symphony is performing for generations to come, the CSA launched an endowment fund campaign. Today this campaign has reached a record $88 million dollars in funds, ensuring a bright future for your Colorado Symphony. Anyone can contribute to the endowment at any level. This is the gift that keeps on giving for years to come. The endowment fund is managed by the Colorado Symphony Fund, a separate entity.
Frequently Asked Questions:
An endowment fund is a pool of assets set aside for the benefit of a supported organization. A portion of the earnings on the endowment fund assets is distributed annually to the supported organization. The undistributed earnings are retained to protect the long-term investment of the fund.
Yes. Many symphony orchestras are supported by endowment funds. On average, U.S. symphony orchestras rely on endowment fund distributions and other investment income for roughly 17 percent of their operating budgets.1 For example, the Kansas City Orchestra has a $100 million endowment on which it relies for approximately 25% of its operating budget.2
1 Source: League of American Orchestras, Orchestra Facts: 2006-2014, p. 10.
2 Source: Historic 5-Year Campaign | News | Kansas City Symphony (kcsymphony.org).
The Colorado Symphony Association is grateful to its named and anonymous donors. We honor the wishes of anonymity for any donor who wishes to remain so. Anonymous gifts from donors are common in the nonprofit realm and the Colorado Symphony Association has received many anonymous gifts throughout its history and will continue to respect the privacy requests of any donor wishing to remain anonymous.
Thank you to to the donors who’ve contributed to the endowment!
The Colorado Symphony expects to receive annual distributions from the Fund of approximately four million dollars commencing July 1, 2022. These distributions will support about 25% of the Colorado Symphony’s projected operating budget. We expect that as the Colorado Symphony grows, the Fund distributions will approximate 20% of the symphony’s operating budget—consistent with national averages.
The Colorado Symphony relies on the support of individuals, corporations, foundations, and granting organizations to the annual fund, making up approximately 24% of the symphony’s annual budget. A gift to the endowment is a gift that will continue to support the symphony for years to come. However, a gift to the endowment fund does not replace the need for annual support.
Yes, hundreds of donors have made contributions to the Colorado Symphony Fund endowment over the years. By supporting the endowment, you help the Colorado Symphony build a sustainable future and ensure that live symphonic music is parts of the cultural fabric of your community for years to come.