The second self-imposed fundraising deadline for the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra came and went last weekend, but the SSO didn’t enjoy the same outcome this month as its February effort.
The orchestra fell nearly $145,000 short of its $445,000 goal, the SSO announced Friday. The non-profit has been campaigning heavily since January to stay afloat, pleading the community for donations to help reach an ultimate $1.7 million goal by August through installments along the way. (See Russ Tarby’s column on page 10 for more.)
When the SSO announced Friday that it had failed to reach its goal, we couldn’t help but wonder what that said about the community.
Because it seems pretty straightforward: apparently, we don’t think the SSO is worth it. It’s not worth not eating, for some of us; it’s not worth sacrificing a new outfit, for others.
We’re not judging – just observing. The SSO will, as it ought to, keep asking for donations from individuals in the area. But if this is any indication of the next six months of fundraising, somebody better sketch out some very realistic alternatives.
Here are some suggestions:
Reduce the concert schedule.
Don’t pay to play. Why is the SSO paying to rent spaces in which to play?
Are the donations being mapped as they come in? Are entire geographic areas served by the SSO not stepping up to the plate? The solution seems easy here – stop serving those areas, at least until the tides turn.
Raise membership and ticket prices slightly. It doesn’t have to be outrageous, but these are costs that a population in the community are already willing to pay.
The SSO employs 80 musicians. If they lose their jobs, it’s unlikely they’ll stay in this community – they’ll take their skills where they are needed, not adjust their skill set to the local economy. Maybe 80 families up and leaving Onondaga County won’t make or break us, but adopting an attitude that a handful of people steadily leaving the area is a dangerous road to head down.
