Symphony endowment 'Fanfare'

The Richmond Symphony has launched the public phase of a drive to build the orchestra's endowment fund to $11 million.

The private phase of the campaign raised $4.5 million, 90 percent of a $5 million goal. The public component,
"Fanfare – Funding the Power of Music," seeks to raise the remaining $500,000 by June 30.

The endowment fund pays out 5 percent of its value annually to support the orchestra's operations. The most recent payout was $422,000, representing about 10 percent of the symphony's 2009-10 operating budget of $4.75 million.

Contributions may be made to support general operations, or to one of a dozen named endowment funds, among them the Music Director's Commissioning Fund, Music Education Scholarship Fund and James Erb Choral Chair Fund.

For more information about endowment contributions, call the symphony at (804) 788-4717, ext. 115, or visit www.richmondsymphony.com/endowment.asp