In 2012, I assisted in arranging a gift from the Murphy family to establish a restricted endowment within the larger Asylum Hill Congregational Church (AHCC) Endowment, income from which would fund a community concert series to be titled “Music for Humanity.” Utilizing the annual income from this restricted endowment, costs associated with concert presentation (artist fees, back-line, sound, advertising, hospitality and management) are funded, allowing all income from ticket sales to benefit the Outreach Ministries/Board of Christian Service of Asylum Hill Congregational Church. In addition to the continued community visibility for AHCC that the concerts provide, and the dollars raised for outreach, the marketing related to each event will offer the associated outreach projects or partner organizations broader community awareness.
Rationale:
The marriage of the performing arts and outreach unites two major ministries of AHCC into one attractive giving/legacy opportunity.
Potential donors can be met at their point(s) of interest – music lovers will support it for the art, and outreach supporters for the monetary enhancement to outreach programs and the visibility the concerts provide.
Ticket buyers and donors, inspired by the knowledge of their ticket’s value to outreach will manifest broader support.
The community concerts will continue to serve as a valuable community resource and an open door to visitation and membership at AHCC.
The annual “hand-to-mouth” struggle of the Concert Series Committee to balance expenses with ticket sales, donations, and grants is eliminated.
Produced Events 2012-2015
Concert BeneficiaryAmount Raised Mozart Requiem 04/01/12 Loaves & Fishes Ministries $ 6,899 (Choir, soloists and full orchestra)
Brad Mehldau 10/04/12 Asylum Hill Boy’s & Girl’s Club $11,185 (Jazz pianist)
Broadway Revue 02/22/13 AHCC Building Ministry $ 6,839
Ninety Miles 04/17/13 Hartford’s Camp Courant $ 7,018 (Cuban/American Jazz)
Tierney Sutton Band 10/04/13 Interval House $ 4,090