Coming out of COVID LOCKDOWN, it became very clear to EVERYONE that NOTHING can be certain in life or in business and much like every organization and individual alike, we were all faced with the realization that nothing would ever be the same. Gathering together in large numbers, enjoying moments together in close proximity to other musicians and patrons became something that we took for granted all of our lives. We, as a generation, had to re-adjust, re-learn, re-wire ourselves so that we could return to "normal" but learn from what we all had survived together.

 

Not only did this affect the accepted social norms, but it had a definite impact on social interaction, self-confidence, mental health and many other areas in us and around us. Cost of living and the cost of business skyrocketed almost overnight, and our communities were left scrambling just to survive. No sector felt this more than the non-profit and live arts/performance sector. For a while, this sector was put on the backburner as big and small businesses were lobbying government for assistance. Help rolled out slowly as we all navigated through this world-wide dilemma together. While individuals and businesses were being propped up with government assistance, the non-profit, live/arts venues did the best they could to hold out just long enough to not be forgotten in the scramble. Finally, help did arrive, but for many a little too late. If these organizations had not planned for a catastrophe or had developed a healthy legacy/endowment fund, they found it impossible to survive this 3-year waiting period. 

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We are FOREVER grateful to our Legacy Givers who prior to COVID gave and pledged toward our Legacy Fund which allowed us to dip into those funds in order to keep our doors open and our musicians employed! They continued and EVEN UP'D THEIR GIVING commitments during this difficult time because they understood our struggles and understood the value of what we offer the community. They invested in new ideas, like our MUSICAL UPLINK DIGITAL CONCERT SERIES, which allowed our musicians to get paid while they performed online. It allowed the Visalia Fox Theatre, our primary performance venue, to continue to get paid even though restrictions did not allow an audience to fill the 1,200-seat venue. The performances were recorded and streamed online to an audience of "shut-ins' who have shared how grateful they are for this reminder of hope entering their homes through their screens. It allowed our sound techs and lighting techs to keep their jobs as we employed them for this series of concerts as well. How did we do this? Through our LEGACY GIVERS! In fact, one of our Legacy Givers would not only give for herself but would MATCH any gifts received by others! She did this on the request that her name never be mentioned. Her desire wasn't for self but for the purpose of our organization. This is the heart of each of our Legacy & Endowment Givers. 

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Well, as you can see, we survived because Legacy Givers understood our goals and believed in our success. They planted seeds and it kept us alive. But, at a great cost. We had to use up most of those funds in order to do what we did and are now faced with the task of replenishing those funds while continuing to invest in our growth as musicians and as an organization.

 

This is where YOU can HELP! Our goal is to raise $1,000,000.00 in our Legacy Fund so that we can have a healthy reserve should something catastrophic happen again, to invest further into expanding our reach in the community and providing scholarships to the musicians of tomorrow so we replenish our orchestra for generations to come.  

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GOLDEN CIRCLE:

$50,000 and ABOVE​

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CONDUCTOR'S CIRCLE:

$10,000 - $49,999

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PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE:

$5,000 - $9,999

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DIAMOND ANGEL:

$3,000 - $4,999

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PLATINUM ANGEL:

$1,000- $2,999

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