Key Elements
- The Utah Symphony and the Utah Opera sought to maintain its status as the campaign was used to shift the culture of philanthropic giving to the arts in the Intermountain West region.
- On a $25 million goal, more than $30 million was secured in campaign commitments, including first-time leadership gifts by the board chair and other board members.
How We Helped
THE CHALLENGE
The Utah Symphony and the Utah Opera—the premier provider of orchestral and operatic art forms in Utah—was focused on increasing its annual operating support and raising the endowment of organizations to a higher level. This would would enable the delivery of increasingly compelling live performances to current and future Utahans. To do so, the organizations embarked on the Campaign for Utah Symphony and Utah Opera.
THE SOLUTION
CCS worked with the organizations from 2010 to 2012. Efforts quickly moved from strategic leadership discussions to a campaign planning committee, all with active campaign requests underway. The Campaign for Utah Symphony and Utah Opera represented the most ambitious and challenging gift request ever made by leaders of the organization. The campaign was used to shift the culture of philanthropic giving to the arts in the Intermountain West region. On a $25 million goal, more than $30 million was secured in campaign commitments, including first-time leadership gifts by the board chair and other board members.
THE IMPACT
The campaign has engaged and excited the organizations’ leaders and donors like never before and has made them key players in securing the organization’s future. Due to its success, the campaign ensured permanency for the organizations. They have been able to attract the highest caliber guest soloists, conductors, stage directors, and designers available. The campaign also funded the use of the nationally renowned Opera Production Studios to provide enhanced theatrical experiences to audiences.
Explore More Case Studies
James Beard Foundation
Northeast US
CCS worked with the James Beard Foundation to launch their largest campaign to date, update their philanthropic model, and triple the size of their development team in four years.
Vero Beach Museum of Art: World-Class Exhibits and Cultural Leadership
Mid-Atlantic and Southeast US
The Vero Beach Museum of Art’s facilities are insufficient to support its expanding program and membership. The local population is growing, but VBMA lacks the physical integrity to survive in its current state. VBMA engaged CCS to provide a feasibility study and campaign management.
National Women’s Hall of Fame: Celebrating and Empowering American Women
Northeast US
The NWFH engaged CCS to run a feasibility study, help hire leadership, reengage past inductees, and enhance exposure to support NWHF’s ongoing work to empower women since 1969.
Miami City Ballet
Mid-Atlantic and Southeast US
Founded in 1985, Miami City Ballet features an international ensemble and world-class ballet school. Following CCS’s engagement, MCB grew its irrevocable and revocable gifts by more than $10M, surpassed its campaign goal by 18%, and increased legacy society membership by 50%.
