CSO challenged to raise $75,000

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra announced Wednesday that it had received a challenge pledge worth up to $75,000 from anonymous supporters.

The pledge applies only to gifts of $1,000 or more received from donors during December and January.

"This most generous pledge by several steadfast CSO supporters who wish to remain anonymous means that contributions of $1,000 or more will be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to $75,000," CSO Executive Director Jan Newcomb said in a statement. "If we are successful in raising $75,000 in gifts greater than $1,000 by January 31, the CSO will receive a total of $150,000, which will help insure the symphony can meet its financial obligations through January."

The symphony, along with other area arts organizations, has been forced to adjust budget projections and scramble to raise money during the current economic downturn. Last month, the CSO announced it could be forced to declare bankruptcy if it failed to raise a total of $250,000 by the end of January.

Donations and ticket sales have declined in recent months, prompting aggressive belt-tightening at area arts organizations, some of which have made programming and scheduling changes in an attempt to survive the hard times. The Village Playhouse, PURE Theatre and Footlight Players all have reported declines in ticket sales from 10 percent to 30 percent this year.

The Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelly Foundation is offering a $250,000 matching grant to the CSO, Charleston Ballet Theatre and Charleston Stage. The Charleston City Council voted last week to contribute $50,000 from the city's hospitality fund to help reach the goal, and the CSO had raised more than $100,000 by the time Thanksgiving arrived.

Reach Adam Parker at 937-5902 or aparker@postandcourier.com.