News Release
For Immediate Release
April 24, 2012

Charlotte Symphony Receives
Challenge Gift from Wells Fargo
The Wells Fargo New American Orchestra Challenge
estimated to generate $400,000 for the Charlotte Symphony

(Charlotte, N.C.) -- Thanks to a generous $200,000 grant from Wells Fargo, the Greater Charlotte community will be given a chance to support the Charlotte Symphony and have their contributions doubled.  The Wells Fargo New American Orchestra Challenge allows people to make contributions, both large and small, to the Symphony by selecting specific programs and projects they are passionate about. The dollar-for-dollar match is estimated to generate $400,000.

The gift directly supports the Charlotte Symphony’s goal to build a renewed, long-term and sustainable funding model.  Wells Fargo designed the challenge to engage a broader segment of the community as new donors to the Symphony's New American Orchestra Campaign, a $40 million fundraising effort.   The challenge also encourages major donors to increase their giving to the Charlotte Symphony. 

Individuals can support and impact Symphony projects on power2give.org, a fundraising platform for arts and cultural projects created by the Arts & Science Council (ASC). Each donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000, for Symphony projects on power2give.org.

Charlotte Symphony projects in need of support on power2give.org include:

• providing a free, week-long summer music camp for at-risk students in grades 2-5 at Winterfield Elementary School;
• offering students discount tickets to experience a Symphony Lollipops Concert;
• providing music scores, travel expenses and rehearsal space for the Charlotte Symphony's 135-member volunteer chorus, the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte and  

• offsetting the cost of video equipment to present the world premiere of a digitally animated artwork by Matthew Weinstein at the KnightSounds performance of "Bolero Comes Alive" on May 4.

 "We are pleased to make this grant to the Charlotte Symphony, which has done an incredible job of diversifying its programming to reach new audiences in compelling ways," said Kendall Alley, Community Banking regional president for the Charlotte Region for Wells Fargo. "Their educational outreach, including one of the country’s most innovative music programs for at-risk students, is having a positive impact on student academic performance. The quality of the musicians, combined with a world renowned music director and accomplished conductors, creates an arts experience that is an asset to Charlotte. This challenge grant allows anyone in our community with an interest in music and culture to engage and help support our Symphony now and into the future.”

“Wells Fargo has again demonstrated its commitment to the people of this community,” said Jonathan Martin, Charlotte Symphony president and executive director.  “Their longstanding support of the Symphony is helping to position this organization to bring innovative artistic programming and expanded service to the people of this region.”
 
“I applaud Wells Fargo for making a significant investment in the Charlotte Symphony through this challenge,” said ASC President Scott Provancher.  “The strategy of using power2give will be a great way to showcase all of the great work the Charlotte Symphony does in the community and help build a broader donor base.”

The Wells Fargo New American Orchestra Challenge gifts can be made through several channels:
power2give:    power2give.org
By Mail:           Charlotte Symphony, 301 S. Tryon St, Suite 1700
Charlotte, NC 28282
By Phone:        704-714-5108
Online:            www.charlottesymphony.org 

Founded in 1932, the Charlotte Symphony aspires to serve the whole community through music that educates, entertains and enriches.  The orchestra’s $40 million New American Orchestra Campaign will allow the Symphony to build a renewed and sustainable funding model.  This model will enable the Charlotte Symphony to go beyond performance to provide solutions and service to Charlotte—to break down the conventional barriers that exist between a community and its orchestra.

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Contact:
Eva Mowry Lewis, Charlotte Symphony | 704-714-5114 | evam@charlottesymphony.org
Christine Shaw, Wells Fargo | 704-383-9279 | christine.l.shaw@wellsfargo.com
Krista Terrell, Arts & Science Council | 704-335-3035 | krista.terrell@artsandscience.org

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