How to Donate - Individuals

Annual Giving

The CSO's Annual Campaign will run from November 1, 2009 - May 30, 2010. Join a unique and respected list of businesses and individuals by making a gift to this year's annual campaign. To donate online, click here, or you can mail your contribution to:

Charleston Symphony Orchestra
145 King Street, Suite 311
Charleston, SC 29401

GIVING LEVELS AND BENEFITS
Our annual giving year follows our fiscal budget year from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

Donor up to $124
- Tax deductible contribution
To donate on-line at this level, click here.

Friend $125-$499
- Tax deductible contribution
- Name listed in the program.
To donate on-line at this level, click here.

Patron $500 - $999
- Tax deductible contribution|
- Name listed in the program
- Charleston Symphony Orchestra car sticker
To donate on-line at this level, click here.

CONDUCTOR'S CLUB - $1,000+

Conductor’s Circle - $1,000 - $2,499

 

-Name listed in program

-Invitation to pre- or post-concert receptions (January 16,2010 and March 13, 2010)

-Invitation to one special performance annually (TBD)

-Invitation from a musician to join them for an open rehearsal

-Conductor's Club membership card

Conductor's Club lapel pin

-Additional ticket discount

Musician’s Circle $2,500-4,999 *

-All of the above plus:

-Able to Adopt-A-Musician or Chair of your choice

Silver Circle $5,000-9,999 *

 

-All of the above plus:

 

-Invitation to closing night post-performance champagne toast with the Maestro

-Invitation to two small group back stage tours and rehearsals for two different performances

 

Gold Circle $10,000-24,999 *

-All of the above plus:

-Invitation to private small group back stage tours and rehearsals with the conductor or guest artist of your choice

-Opportunity to pose for a photo with the conductor or the guest artist of your choice

-Opportunity to have photo signed (post-performance) and program signed

Music Director’s Circle $25,000+ *

-All of the above plus:

-Opportunity to dedicate a concert in your name or in honor/memory of someone you choose

-Opportunity to have a small ensemble play at your home for a reception at no cost

* Please note that CSO Conductor's Club benefits are recognized for 12 months from date of donation

 

Sponsorships

Looking for an effective way to market to the Charleston area?  Seeking a creative and fun way to appreciate your customers and employees?  Then sponsor a Charleston Symphony Orchestra event or be a title sponsor of a series. Sponsorships for each Charleston Symphony Orchestra performance as well as title sponsorship to certain series are available.   Sponsorships include promotional opportunities such as (but not limited to) logo placement in all marketing and advertising for performance as well as program guides; presence onsite both in signage and onstage announcements; tickets; reception area; website presence; and more!   Contact Tara Scott, director of marketing, at (843) 723-7528 ext. 102 or at  tara@charlestonsymphony.com for more information.    

 

 

Stock Transfers

Did you know that you could avoid the dreaded capital gains tax by transferring appreciated stock? In addition to being a smart tax move, a stock transfer minimizes market fluctuations, allowing you to maximize your gift to the CSO.

Stock gifts are valued based on the date of transfer to the Symphony’s account. Donors receive credit for the full value of the stock at the time of transfer, prior to any broker’s fees that are subtracted.

Please send written instructions to your broker of your gift specifying that it is to be a charitable contribution to the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. Our Federal Tax ID number is 57-6000192. State in your letter of instruction the issuer of the stock and either the number of shares or the estimated gift value for which you intend.

Your broker may transfer securities to our account at:
UBS Paine Webber
40 Calhoun St., Suite 400
Charleston, SC 29401
843-577-9700 Office phone
Account #CH-03489
DTC #0221

Sometimes we receive a gift of stock, but we don’t know who it came from. So that the CSO may know when to expect the transfer, please send a fax or e-mail copy of your instructions to: Cindy Branch, director of patron services at 843-723-7528 x110 or cindy@charlestonsymphony.com

FOUNDATION GIFTS

Many of our annual donors choose to support the CSO with gifts given through family or community foundations. These gifts generally do not require a grant application process, and funds are usually distributed by a direct request from a family member or by a representative of the family.

Most foundations are carefully managed to ensure the utmost in fiscal responsibility, and most have specific instructions as to how gifts can be rendered and the process the CSO must go through to receive the gift.

If you wish to support the CSO through your foundation, please contact: 843-723-7528 ext. 104 or exdir@charlestonsymphony.com

PLANNED GIVING

Most of us, if given the chance, would like to leave some kind of lasting legacy on the community in which we live. Including the CSO in your formal estate plan or personal will allow you to enjoy financial rewards today while preserving live orchestral music for generations to come.

Planned gifts come in various forms, such as naming the CSO as a beneficiary of a will, IRA or life insurance policy; or investing in a charitable remainder trust or gift annuity. Gifts like these are some of the ways you could provide a much-needed tax deduction for your family estate or allow for a possible income for your heirs. All are great ways to confirm your passion for the symphony and take a leadership role in building a future of financial security that’s crucial for our long-term survival.

The present value of any approved planned gift, irrevocably naming the Charleston Symphony Orchestra as charitable beneficiary, will be considered for named gift recognition purposes.

For more information about planned gifts to the orchestra, please contact: 843-723-7528 ext. 104 or exdir@charlestonsymphony.com

GOLD CARDS - Flex-Series

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra created a way for you to choose your own performances and create your own series.

Each card is only $75 and seating will be provided at a “best available” basis.  You must take your Gold Card to the Gaillard Auditorium Box Office only to redeem for your performance tickets.  

Please call Cindy Branch, director of patron services, to purchase your Gold Card at 843-723-7528 ext. 110 or cindy@charlestonsymphony.com. 

SOLD SERVICES

The CSO not only performs world-class concerts in large venues across the Lowcountry, they can even perform at your private function! The orchestra is available for hire for wedding receptions, corporate parties, convention galas, black tie events, outdoor venues, or other parties that you need to make a truly special occasion.

Our music library is filled with arrangements of traditional classical music, romantic melodies, big band swing, beach music, movie scores, even Michael Jackson! We can work with your program needs to try and accommodate any special request from a corporate theme song or jingle to your parent’s wedding song they danced to 50 years ago.

There are a few limitations as to where and when the CSO can perform. We have 34 core musicians, but can work with your event planner to come up with the best arrangement for your venue size. No idea is outside our scope of imagination!

If you have any questions regarding private sold services, please contact:Tony Pierce, director of artistic operations, at 843-723-7528 X 107 or tony@charlestonsymphony.com