The Tacoma Symphony in Washington reports that during the 2014-15 season individual donor support increased by 30 percent, and corporate support went up by 20 percent. The orchestra states that the 2014-15 season, the first with Sarah Ioannides as music director, also saw an 18 percent increase in attendance for its four sold-out Classics series concerts led by Ioannides, a 30 percent increase in subscription revenue, 22 percent increase in single-ticket revenue, and 33.7 percent increase in overall ticket revenue. The orchestra reported that on average 80 percent of the house was sold, versus 68.5 percent in 2013-14. A new program called “Super-Subscribers” launched in 2014—with the goal of increasing the number of subscribers who donate through a series of benefits and incentives—also saw growth from 25 percent to 45 percent of subscribers. Revenue from corporate sponsorships saw 20 percent growth, and patron revenue increased from 38 percent to 44 percent of total annual revenue. A press release from the orchestra notes that following a five-year strategic plan adopted in 2011, greater emphasis is being placed on growth in patron revenue and relationship-building with core subscribers and donors.
Posted August 17, 2015
