San Antonio Symphony News and Archive

Symphony meets payroll, plans endowment drive




by Mike Greenberg

from the San Antonio Express News 1/15/98



Declaring "we are here to stay," the San Antonio Symphony Chairman Charles Lutz said Wenesday the organization is proceeding with plans for an endowment drive this spring and a 60th anniversary season in the fall.

One week after the board faced the prospect of being unable to meet payroll, members emerged from a meeting in a more optimistic mood.

"Over the last seven days, we have had very strong success with both existing and new supporters," Lutz said after the meeting. "We will absolutely meet the payroll," due today.

Executive Director David Schillhammer said more than $100,000 had been raised in large and small gifts over the past week.

Last week, the symphony was about $100,000 short of the cash needed for the payroll. The orchestra's accumulated debt is nearly $1.5 million, Schillhammer said, and last season ended with a $350,000 deficit.

"The projected debt this year is every bit of that and probably more," Lutz said.

In a prepared statement issued after the meeting, Lutz said:"The board of directors is well aware of both our short-term and long-term challenges. The results from our capital campaign feasability study indicate the community is willing to step foward and increase contributions to our annual fund, while at the same time making significant gifts to our permanent endowment."

"In keeping with our previous plan, the board of directors and management are approaching major funders and asking for multi-year operating support and for new gifts to the endowment."

The endowment stands at $1 million, Schillhammer said. A study last fall tested community support for a $10 million endowment drive.

Lutz said the board expects to launch the endowment campaign this spring.

"I don't think we are being Pollyannaish. We have a very positive plan," Lutz said.

He added, however, that it would be premature to explain that plan at this time because "we don't have all the pieces of our capital campaign in order."

Schillhammer declined comment on the possibility of seeking futher financial aid from city government.

"We are continuing to work with the mayor and the City Council, but there's nothing to report at this time."

During City Council budget negotiations last September, the symphony's grant for 1997-98 was reduced by about $80,000. The city previously had committed to give the orchestra about $533,000.

Musician Lee Hipp, chairman of the orchestra committee and a representative of the musicians on the board, expressed satisfaction that the board is moving in the right direction.



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