The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) needed to sustain its future by increasing awareness of its impact on the arts community and the city at large. CCS worked with the ISO at this critical juncture to bring its contributed revenue to a record high in the ISO’s history.

Based in: Indianapolis, IN, Central U.S., United States

Sector: Arts & Culture

Key Elements

  • 2,026 new donors
  • Contributed revenue increased from $6.3 million to a record $9.98 million

The Challenge

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) experienced a decline in its endowment and reached a crisis point that threatened the future of the institution. The ISO decided to embark upon its most critical and aggressive fundraising campaign to reengage lapsed symphony donors, find new donors, and increase the awareness of the ISO and its imprint on the community.

The Solution

While providing interim development services, CCS helped the symphony meet a new donor challenge campaign as well as increase the annual fund by 50 percent. The thoughtful strategy, messaging, and methodology pursued by the ISO, coupled with the tremendous support from the community, resulted in 2,026 new donors and increased contributed revenue to nearly $10 million—a record for the ISO.

The Impact

This extraordinary accomplishment helped the organization restore its credibility with our funding community, and set us up for future fundraising success. CCS helped organize a new systematic approach to fundraising for the development staff and established a new level of engagement, energy, and commitment from the ISO’s board of directors.

Gary Ginstling, Former CEO, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

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