Funding Update 1/04/24: There is bad news and good news.
First the bad news: Much to our disappointment, a grant request from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) was rejected. We were surprised by this development becasue we had received positive feedback from our application. This grant would have covered approximately $125,000 of the $375,000 we have left to raise.

But there is good news: The Steinwachs Family Foundation is already matching every gift made by January 31, up to $125,000. Due to this current turn of events, the Foundation is now offering an additional capping grant of $125,000, if we reach our goal by January 31!

That now means that every $1 you contribute to the Pavilion Project will be matched with $2 from the Steinwachs Family Foundation, but only if we meet our goal by January 31.

It is urgent that we meet our $125,000 goal by the end of January! An efficient HVAC system in the Pavilion helps maintain a healthy working environment for our artists and Youth Opera in the rehearsal rooms where they spend much of their time creating the great performances you see on our stage. It is needed to protect our important collection of musical instruments, library, and archives. And if that's not enough, by replacing our aging and inefficient system, it is projected that Sarasota Opera will save over $40,000 annually in electric costs!

We are so grateful to the Steinwachs Family Foundation for this generous challenge and capping grant opportunity! Please help us meet our goal by clicking below to give your tax-deductible gift or by calling the Development Department at (941) 366-8450, ext. 813.

The Pavilion Project started in November 2022 to raise funds to replace the vital HVAC system in the Deane Carroll Allyn Pavilion. Since then, Sarasota Opera has raised roughly half of the $650,000 price tag. As we begin the final phase of this campaign, we are thrilled to announce a new matching challenge issued by the Steinwachs Family Foundation.

From now until January 31, the Steinwachs Family Foundation will match all donations received, up to $125,000!

The Pavilion was purchased in 1995 and houses our rehearsal studios, Box Office, production offices, Youth Opera & Education offices and program spaces, and the Jonas Kamlet Library where our archives are stored. The building is also where we store valuable musical instruments. In short, the building is the heart of our operations.

Since we started the campaign:

• Through the work of Board members and staff, we have been able to reduce the cost to $650,000, from as high as $900,000, while still retaining important components of the system, such as cooling zones and humidity control.
• We have secured $75,000 in grant funding from SouthFace Institute through their GoodUse program. This organization has done a full energy audit of the facility and has determined that the new system will result in over $40,000 in annual savings on electricity use.
• We have applied for funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities that will cover 25% of the project cost.

But we still need your help! If you contributed during our 2022 year-end campaign, thank you! You have helped us raise over $300,000 toward the project.

If you are ready to make your gift now and get it matched by the Steinwachs Family Foundation, click the Give a Gift box below!

For further questions, please contact Director of Development Scott Guinn at (941) 366-8450, ext. 416 or email [email protected].