United Arts fundraising campaign raises most money ever

The annual Collaborative Campaign for the Arts raised the most money ever — $5.5 million — this year for cultural organizations across Central Florida.

That’s sharply up from last year’s total of about $3.9 million raised.

And by unlocking a special grant from Orange County, the total collected for the arts passed $6 million.

“The unprecedented amount of donations we received during the campaign this year is evidence that this community is wonderfully supportive of and invested in local arts and culture,” said Jennifer Evins, president of United Arts of Central Florida, which runs the campaign each year from February through April.

The campaign also saw three local organizations reach significant milestones. Orlando Shakes raised more than $500,000 for the first time while two groups, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and Orlando Ballet, for the first time raised more than $1 million each.

“Your investment in the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra through the Collaborative Campaign will enable us to mount a spectacular 30th Anniversary

Season, and continue our legacy of bringing world-class classical music to Central Florida,” wrote executive director Paul Helfrich in an email to supporters. “Thank you for making the music possible, and thank you for a spectacular campaign.”

Other organizations also reported strong support.

“Wowie, we cannot thank you enough,” wrote Opera Orlando in an email to donors. The group raised $450,000.

This was the first campaign under the leadership of Evins, who joined United Arts last summer.

“Orlando Ballet is deeply appreciative of the efforts of United Arts of Central Florida

to increase visibility and connectivity between the community and the organizationsthatdrivethecampaign’s success,” said Cheryl Collins, executive director of Orlando Ballet, in a statement. “This collaborative approach has strengthened donor understanding and confidence in their mission investments in a very pronounced way.”

The campaign supports arts, science and history organizations across Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake counties. Donors can designate their contributions to one of more than 30 specific “partner organizations,” such as Enzian Theater, Orlando Museum of Art and the Orlando Science Center, or donate to a general fund that supports a variety of United Arts programs.

New partner organizations this campaign included MicheLee Puppets, Orlando Gay Chorus, Global Peace Film Festival, ArtReach Orlando and Creative City Project, as well as the first partner organizations to be based in Lake County: The Bay Street Players of Eustis, the Mount Dora Center for the Arts and the Leesburg Center for the Arts.

The 2022 goal was $4.38 million, meaning that target was beaten by 125%.

The Orange County government money was awarded once the campaign had brought in $500,000 from new donors. Orange County matched that amount in the final year of a three-year deal to encourage giving brokered by Evins’ predecessor at United Arts, Flora Maria Garcia.

Evins has previously said that with the conclusion of the matching-grant arrangement, she will meet with county leaders to explore other ways the county can support the arts.