Great Falls Symphony

ENDOWMENT

FUNDING FOR THE FUTURE OF THE SYMPHONY

The Great falls Symphony Endowment is a vehicle through which people who believe in the value of Symphony programs for the people of this region may make a lasting gift to protect and enhance the artistic and educational mission of the organization for future generations.

Endowment funds are derived from outright gifts or bequests in one’s will for which the principal of the gift remains intact in perpetuity. Earnings from Endowment contributions help to sustain the many programs offered by the Great Falls Symphony both now and in the years to come. Many families consider philanthropic giving to be a part of their family heritage, an investment for their children's future, and a reflection of their values.

Gordon J. Johnson Music Director Emeritus ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN

The Gordon J. Johnson Music Director Emeritus Endowment Campaign is a special appeal to people who believe in the value of the Great Falls Symphony–supporters both established and new, whose financial commitment will serve to protect and enhance the artistic and educational mission of the Symphony for future generations.

During 35 years as music director and conductor, Gordon Johnson has overseen significant growth in the Symphony’s programs and artistic development.

We are establishing this endowment in his name to both honor Gordon and help secure the future of the Great Falls Symphony.

Playing with the Great Falls Youth Orchestra provided me with a place to take my musical training further and learn from some of the best musicians in our community. That experience not only made me a better musician, but it also helped to instill in me a lifelong love of music that still enriches my life today. Making music is my refuge in a high-stress world, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity I had to develop that passion from an early age when it made such a huge difference.

— CHASE MOHNEY

Significant achievements under Gordon’s leadership:

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The Symphony’s first endowment fund established in 1994 to help enhance the artistic quality and expand musical offerings
The Youth Orchestra established in 1997 and strings-only Sinfonia added in 2013
The Chinook Winds established in 1997 and expanded to the current quintet in 2007
World Artist Series created in 2004 to bring world-class artists to Great Falls audiences, including Itzak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, James Galway, Midori, Béla Fleck, and Joshua Bell

Play a part in continuing Maestro Emeritus
Gordon Johnson's legacy!

Contact Executive Director Hillary Rose Shepherd about supporting the Great Falls Symphony's future through the Gordon J. Johnson Music Director Emeritus Endowment.

Carolyn Valacich served the Great Falls Symphony Association for 28 years as the Executive Director.

Her tireless passion for high-quality, live symphonic performances led her to develop and expand the Symphony's programming and relevancy to Montanans across the state.

Honor Carolyn Valacich by supporting the Guest Artist Endowment Fund. X

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Contact Executive Director Hillary Rose Shepherd about how to contribute to the Carolyn Valacich Endowment fund.

Carolyn Valacich
GUEST ARTIST ENDOWMENT

Carolyn was influential in the 2004 decision to bring world-class artists to Great Falls audiences on a regular basis.

Yo-Yo Ma was the first to take stage at the Mansfield Theater, and since then the Great Falls Symphony has performed with many more artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Midori, Sir James Galway, Christopher Parkening, Jubilant Sykes, Béla Fleck, and more.

In addition, under Carolyn's leadership, the Symphony's Endowment was established in 1994 and has become a strong foundation for the organization's stability and growth.

To honor Carolyn's service to the Great Falls Symphony Association, the Guest Artist Endowment Fund was established to support the guest artist budget and help protect and grow the financial resources needed to present high-caliber guest artists to the Great Falls community for years to come.

Mary Moore
CHORAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT

The Symphony recently raised endowed funds to establish the Mary Moore Choral Scholarship in the name of founding Symphonic Choir Conductor Mary E. Moore. A scholarship in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded on an annual basis to an outstanding student from District 6 (Great Falls area), who is studying music with an emphasis on choral music, to assist in furthering their study at the university level.

The Symphonic Choir, under the direction of Mary Moore, was organized in September of 1960 with a two-fold purpose: To give talented singers in the community an opportunity to continue their musical interest, and to present selections from the vast field of fine choral literature to the listening public.

Mary retired after serving as the choir’s director for thirty-four years in the spring of 1994. For more than fifty years, Mary has, and continues to be an active participant and advocate for choral music on both the local and national level. As soloist, community church choir conductor, adjudicator, vocal clinician, teacher, and continuing member of the Symphonic Choir, Mary has touched the lives of countless individuals.

Honor Mary Moore by supporting the scholarship endowment for talented musicians of the future.

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Contact Executive Director Hillary Rose Shepherd about how to contribute to the Mary Moore Choral Scholarship Endowment.

Giving to an Endowment Fund

Gifts to the Symphony’s Endowment Fund may take several forms. Examples include:

Outright gifts
Deferred Gift Annuities of Trusts
Paid-up Life Insurance
Bequests in wills

Tax Benefits

Because we are a 501(c)(3) organization, contributions are generally deductible from federal income tax. In addition, though we are not qualified to render tax advice, and strongly urge you to consult with your tax advisor about the tax benefits of a gift, the State of Montana offers another, rather compelling incentive.

Through the Montana Endowment Tax Credit, individual donors making planned gifts to a permanent endowment of a Montana charity are eligible to receive a credit of 40% of the present value of the gift against the individual’s Montana state income tax, up to a limit of $10,000 in any one year.