Utah Symphony and Opera

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.