Ignacio Barr\u00f3n Viela, President and CEO of The Florida Orchestra, welcomed with gratitude the recent gift of $10 million from an anonymous donor.<\/p>\n
It was, to be sure, music to his ears.<\/p>\n
The Florida Orchestra\u2019s annual operating budget hovers around $16 million, and the donation \u2013 the largest financial gift in the nonprofit\u2019s nearly six-decade history \u2013 will help grow its endowment. Part, says Barr\u00f3n Viela, will go into an investment fund.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is something we\u2019ve been discussing with the donor over a number of years. The donor was impressed with the longevity of the orchestra\u2019s service, the professionalism of the orchestra and the leadership of the orchestra.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s extraordinary about this anonymous gift is that they\u2019re not driven by glory. It\u2019s pure support of our mission. And somebody willing to make a difference in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The organization\u2019s published mission is \u201cto inspire\/educate\/unite to build community through the power of music.\u201d<\/p>\n
Said Music Director Michael Francis in a prepared statement: \u00a0\u201cA gift of this magnitude sends an indelible message \u2014 not only affirming the orchestra\u2019s exceptional quality, but also demonstrating confidence in our vibrant vision to transform lives across Tampa Bay.\u201d<\/p>\n
In recent years, The Florida Orchestra has expanded its community outreach, playing concerts, many of them free, away from the concert halls. TFO frequently collaborates with other community organizations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope,\u201d Barr\u00f3n Viela continued, \u201cthat this is enabling many more gifts like this, because there\u2019s a high number of nonprofits in the country. And every nonprofit has a \u2018why.\u2019 So, focus on your \u2018why,\u2019 and get people excited, and then the rest will follow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Still very much on the table is the search for a permanent home. TFO, which performs in St. Petersburg, Tampa and Clearwater, does not have a central rehearsal space.<\/p>\n
In 2024, Barr\u00f3n Viela and his board proposed a 24,000-32,000 square foot building, adjacent to St. Pete\u2019s Mahaffey Theater, for classrooms, offices and a fixed rehearsal area.<\/p>\n
The county\u2019s Tourist Development Council declined the orchestra\u2019s $9 million ask<\/a> (approximately a third of the project\u2019s proposed budget) because of a technicality.<\/p>\n