The Louisville Orchestra is at a pivotal moment, building on its legacy to expand access to the arts as Louisville grows as a vibrant cultural hub.
While generous community support powers our mission, a strengthened endowment is essential for long-term sustainability. This financial foundation enables us to pursue bold artistic goals, grow our impact, and secure a stable future.
Through the Orchestrating the Future campaign, we are raising $50 million for the endowment, ensuring the LO has the resources to thrive and grow. A board-managed endowment provides fiscal stability and allows us to make long-term commitments to artistry, community, and education. With a strong endowment, the LO will stand alongside Kentucky’s leading cultural institutions, strengthening our mission of accessibility and innovation for generations.
Louisville Orchestra Endowment Case for Support
We strive to be an orchestra of and for the people. Our city will thrive by finding the communal inspiration and strength necessary to face future challenges – music is our vehicle for unity and connection.
Teddy Abrams, Music Director
how does it support our future?
With an endowment of $50M at a 5% annual distribution from its investment returns, the LO would receive $2.5M annually, covering approximately a quarter of our overall institutional need. This sum will enable the LO to offer competitive compensation by supplementing orchestra salaries.
The Louisville Orchestra’s endowment is the key to ensuring a vibrant, accessible arts scene in Louisville. With a stronger endowment, we can attract the world’s finest musicians, expand free concerts and innovative educational programs, and remain Louisville's cultural leader. Currently, our endowment is smaller than that of similar institutions, which limits our growth and impact. Your gift to the endowment empowers the LO to foster new talent, build lasting community connections, and keep Louisville’s arts scene thriving. Together, we can make an enduring impact—ensuring music, inspiration, and creativity flourish in our city.
Attracting and retaining top artistic talent is key to a vibrant arts community. The LO strives to build a world-class ensemble musicians who are deeply connected to Louisville. Securing endowed roles, including Music Director, concertmaster, and musician chairs, will ensure lasting excellence and make the LO an inspiring career choice globally.
Naming Opportunities
Music Director
Principal Pops Conductor
Concertmaster
Principal & Non-Principal Musicians
The LO has a bold legacy of innovation, from pioneering First Edition Records to commissioning over 120 original works. Under Teddy Abrams, the LO continues to push boundaries with unique performances, unconventional venues, and collaborations with renowned artists. The Creator Corps program—unique worldwide—brings composers to live and work in Louisville, creating music and engaging the community.
Naming Opportunities
LO Creator Corps Fund
Artistic Vitality Fund
Commissioning Fund
Music Recording & Digital Program Fund
The LO reaches thousands of students through programs like MakingMUSIC, Once Upon an Orchestra, and the In Harmony Tour, making music accessible in schools, parks, libraries, and community spaces. Partnerships with organizations like Heuser Hearing & Language Academy ensure that even students with disabilities have access to live music, inspiring lifelong connections to the arts.
Naming Opportunities
Education Fund
Once Upon an Orchestra Fund
MakingMUSIC Fund
LO Rap School Fund
Connecting communities across Kentucky, the LO’s In Harmony Tour brings free live music statewide, bridging urban and rural divides. In Louisville, Music Without Borders provides free neighborhood performances, creating opportunities for new audiences to engage with the LO.
Naming Opportunities
Music Without Borders Fund
Commonwealth Tour Fund
There are many ways to make a gift to benefit the Louisville Orchestra Endowment, including one time gifts, multi-year pledges, or blended gifts comprised of contributions made during your lifetime and estate plans. Below are a few options for structuring your gift. We will explore together what works best for your personal situation and philanthropic goals. We will also provide a formal gift agreement that details the way you would prefer to make your commitment.
Please make all checks and transactions payable to the Louisville Orchestra Endowment Inc.
A donor would give the total of their gift through a combination of cash and/or a cash equivalent, such as gifts of stock or other appreciated assets.
A donor would give a portion of their pledged gift each fiscal year, reaching the total pledged gift amount within a specified period. The LO and a donor would mutually agree on a pledge payment schedule in a signed gift agreement.
Donors who wish to make their gift through a Donor Advised Fund may document their intention via a letter of commitment and recommend a grant from the Donor Advised Fund to the orchestra.
Make a meaningful impact with a legacy gift when you include the Louisville Orchestra in your estate plan. Legacy giving provides essential support for the Louisville Orchestra to thrive for generations to come.
As a transformational force in Kentucky, the Louisville Orchestra strengthens community well-being, inspiring resilience and courage for future challenges. This campaign marks a pivotal moment in our history, investing in art as a public service for Louisville and beyond. Honoring our legacy of artistic excellence, innovation, and outreach, we aim to enrich cultural life for generations to come. Join us in this vital initiative to invigorate Louisville, engage new audiences, and expand arts access. Every gift makes a difference. Thank you for your support.
For more information on how you can make your planned gift today, please contact:
Edward W. Schadt | Director of Endowment Giving
502-585-9413 or eschadt@louisvilleorchestra.org
The Louisville Orchestra advises that you consult with your legal and tax professionals before making a final commitment to an estate gift.
Organization name: Louisville Orchestra Endowment, Inc.
Tax id (EIN): 83-2138568
Address:
624 W Main St Suite 400
Louisville, KY 40202