Houston Symphony Endowment

Houston Symphony Endowment

"Endowment is not just the gift of resources; it's the gift of opportunity to make a lasting impact"

What is Endowment Giving?

Endowment giving provides long-term support to organizations like the Houston Symphony, ensuring their financial sustainability now and for generations to come. Gifts to the Houston Symphony Endowment benefit the Houston Symphony Society, provide funding for the Symphony’s day-to-day operations costs, supports our Education and Community Engagement I, and initiatives and helps us keep accessible ticket prices available. Endowment gifts, such as Endowed Musician Chairs or Named Funds, create lasting impact by funding specific programs or attracting top-tier musicians. These gifts can be made during one’s lifetime or through a bequest, with a portion of the funds reinvested annually to support future programs. By contributing to the Endowment, donors help build a legacy of financial security for the Symphony’s future.

How does Endowment Giving Work?

When a donor contributes to the Endowment (cash, appreciated securities, or other non-cash assets), their gift is invested, and a portion of the funds is used each year to support key programs and operations. The remainder is reinvested to help the Endowment grow, providing ongoing financial stability. This model allows the Symphony to use annual payouts while ensuring the endowment continues to increase in value, sustaining the organization’s mission for years to come. Through endowment gifts, donors create a lasting legacy that benefits future generations.

Giving to the Endowment

Donors can designate their donation of any amount to the endowment. However, to fund an endowed chair or a named fund a minimum contribution is required. Gifts can be made through a bequest, a contribution during your lifetime, or a combination of both.

To learn more about our Endowment initiatives and how they support the Houston Symphony's mission Download our Endowment Booklet below, or keep scrolling to explore the various endowment opportunities.

What Are The Different Types Of Endowment Giving

Endow Your Annual Fund

25 times your annual giving amount

Make a plan so that the programs and goals most important to you continue to thrive for future generations. At our current endowment spending level (5% draw), 25 times an annual gift amount equals a perpetual gift. When the gift is made, we use a portion of the endowment each year to fund our programs and reinvest the remainder, allowing it to grow and support annual payouts indefinitely. Contributing to an endowed fund can be made through a bequest, a gift during your lifetime, or a combination of both.

Named Fund

Starting at: $250,000

An Endowed Musician Chair or Named Fund are a few of the most impactful ways to support the Endowment. Named Funds can be designated for general operating support or specific interests or programs, such as our PNC Family Concert Series, New Works, or Music and Wellness programs, among others. Contributing to a Named Fund can be made through a bequest, a gift during your lifetime, or a combination of both.

Steven Reineke

Endowed Musician Chair

Starting at: $1.5 Million

Realizing more endowed musician’s chairs is an institutional priority and we have a goal of establishing two new endowed chairs each season. A distinctive way to make a significant commitment to the Houston Symphony, each endowed chair allows the organization to become even more sustainable. It provides the Symphony with dependable funds to attract, retain, and support musicians of the highest caliber by creating a stable source of funding for our largest expense- the orchestra. An endowed chair may be named in the donor’s honor or may be supported anonymously.

Positions Yet to be Endowed

Section Chairs

($1.5 Million)

 

Associate or Assistant Principal Chair

($2.5 Million)

 

Principal Chairs

($5 Million)

 

Available Section Chairs

Available Associate or Assistant Principal Chair s

Available Principal Chairs

Houston Symphony Legacy Society

Join the Legacy Society and be part of a century-long tradition of inspiring Houston through music—by making a planned gift to the Houston Symphony, you’ll not only help secure the orchestra’s future but also enjoy exclusive benefits like VIP ticketing, special events, and lasting recognition, all while potentially receiving tax and estate advantages!

Need Help?

We're here to support you!

Call or email our Endowment and Planned Giving Team.

Hadia Mawlawi, CAP®, Senior Associate, Endowment and Planned Giving
Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy

Phone:
713.337.8532
Email:
Hadia.Mawlawi@HoustonSymphony.org

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Contact Our Endowment Team

Donors can designate their donation of any amount to the endowment. However, to fund an endowed chair or a named fund a minimum contribution is required. Gifts can be made through a bequest, a contribution during your lifetime, or a combination of both. Contact us for any additonal information

Contact Information:

Full Name
Email
Phone Number

Please provide any further comments.

Comments
0%

Contact Our Endowment Team

Donors can designate their donation of any amount to the endowment. However, to fund an endowed chair or a named fund a minimum contribution is required. Gifts can be made through a bequest, a contribution during your lifetime, or a combination of both. Contact us for any additonal information

Contact Information:

Full Name
Email
Phone Number

Select an Endowmed Position

Select a Endowmed Position
Select a Chair

Please provide any further comments.

Comments