BPO Awarded $100,000 Baird Foundation Challenge Grant

The Baird Foundation has generously awarded the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra a dollar-for-dollar challenge grant up to $100,000 based upon all new and increased gifts to the 2011-2012 annual fund campaign. All pledges must be paid by the end of the orchestra's fiscal year on August 31, 2012 to qualify. 

"The BPO is an extraordinary community asset that provides a significant impact to the quality of life in Western New York. The Baird Foundation Challenge is premised upon our reaching out to those that believe the BPO does exactly that," said Arthur Cryer, Trustee of the Baird Foundation. "Performances such as Saturday night's concert with pianist Fabio Bidini emphasize both the quality and uniqueness of the BPO as a world class orchestra. As I left the music hall, one of our friends said that the music was so exciting and powerful that it took her breath away. It is for reasons such as this that the Baird Foundation is committed to our community and the BPO. We are privileged to serve such a great orchestra."  
 
"This year has been a year of great news for the BPO, the extension of music director JoAnn Falletta's contract for five years, the successful negotiation and signing of the BPO musician's contract for five years, and the creation of a strategic plan that will chart the organization's course for the next ten years," said Cindy Abbott Letro, Chair of BPO Board of Trustees. "We are grateful to the Baird Foundation for their unwavering support of the BPO as a unique community asset. During this time of great economic uncertainty, the Foundation's pledge of $100,000 as a challenge grant will help the organization grow its support and continue to provide memorable musical moments for our community."
 
For more information on the Baird Challenge or making a donation contact Barbara McCulloch at (716) 242-7820 or bmcculloch@bpo.org.