A Gift That Never Ends ...
Have you ever thrown a rock into the water? The ripple effects of the waves that it generates seem to be never-ending.
Now imagine a gift that you make to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra having this same effect. An endowment gift is a gift that can last forever and can even grow over time. Donors set up endowments for many reasons: love for the Orchestra, a special connection to the music or the joy of spreading the love of music to the next generation.
Contributions to the DSO's endowment help to strengthen the long-term viability of the Orchestra and its mission.
When you make an endowed gift, your contribution is invested with and becomes part of our assets within the Dallas Symphony Foundation. An annual distribution is made for the Orchestra's general purposes or a specific purpose you designate when the endowment is established. There are also tax benefits to establishing endowments during your lifetime, as well as estate tax benefits when they are established through your estate plans.
Tom Smith and Linda VanSickle Smith
Linda VanSickle Smith, a horn player herself, has a very personal connection to the Dallas Symphony, having been a member of the Orchestra from 1965–1970. She chose to endow the Linda VanSickle Associate Horn Chair. "After playing with the DSO for five years after graduation from the Eastman Conservatory of Music, I have always felt a strong connection to this orchestra," Linda says. "It is a joy to experience the growth of the Orchestra since Maestro van Zweden has come to Dallas and a privilege to be part of their future."
The Dallas Symphony Foundation is the entity that maintains, invests and manages the DSO's endowed funds. Since the foundation's inception in 1977, over $100 million in operating support has been provided to the DSO from endowments that have been established by generous patrons throughout the years. Support ranges from unrestricted general support to the funding of guest artists, touring or education and outreach initiatives. Donors work with the DSO's endowment and gift planning staff to ensure that their gift matches their desired impact and their philanthropic goals.
Rita Sue and Alan Gold
DSO patrons Rita Sue and Alan Gold are deeply invested in the livelihood of the DSO. One of their interests lies in helping young musicians. A few years ago, they established an endowment to support the Lynn Harrell Concerto Competition. "These performances are always marvelous and inspire hope in my heart for the state of music for years to come," Alan says.
Planned gifts such as gifts made from a will or gifts from life insurance or retirement plans can be directed to the DSO's endowment in order to ensure long-term benefits from those gifts.
Remember those seemingly never-ending waves in the water? An endowment gift is the "rock" that generates those waves of long-term and on-going support for the DSO. It is the legacy of DSO patrons and a foundation upon which the DSO can continue to produce exceptional symphonic music and programming for years to come.