After setting a new fundraising record with its 2013 campaign, the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) will allocate more than $8.3 million to 38 performing arts groups in southeastern Wisconsin.
The 2013 campaign, which was co-chaired by Chuck Harvey of Johnson Controls, community volunteer Gail Lione, and retiree Gary (Skip) Poliner of Northwestern Mutual, will distribute its record funds among 15 member groups and 23 affiliates.
“Increasing our allocation by almost 10 percent over last year demonstrates not only UPAF’s commitment to the performing arts in southeastern Wisconsin but also the community’s allegiance,” said Deanna Tillisch, UPAF president and chief executive officer. “An important part of our mission is to ensure that as many dollars as possible are judiciously allocated. This is vital to sustaining a vibrant performing arts scene in southeastern Wisconsin.”
Adding a third campaign co-chair and reorganizing the campaign cabinet to draw in new sectors and demographics of donors contributed to the unprecedented success of the 2013 campaign, Tillisch said.
Other contributing factors to the organization’s success included establishing new workplace giving campaigns, increasing donor dollars in Waukesha County and Racine County, launching a new marketing campaign behind the UPAF brand, boosting support of arts education by 80 percent, and offering more than a dozen incentives and three challenge grants.
UPAF also updated its allocation process to evaluate the financial health and sustainability of individual UPAF member groups using a beta-test organization performance scorecard.
The organization created an Arts Education Grant Program to benefit outcome-based arts initiatives as well.
Performing arts member groups receiving funds from the 2013 UPAF Campaign are Bel Canto Chorus of Milwaukee, Inc.; Danceworks, Inc.; First Stage Milwaukee, Inc.; Florentine Opera Company, Inc.; Milwaukee Ballet Company, Inc.; Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Ltd.; Milwaukee Children’s Choir, Inc.; Milwaukee Public Theatre, Inc.; Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Inc.; Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Inc.; Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, Inc.; Next Act Theatre, Inc.; Present Music, Inc.; Renaissance Theaterworks, Inc.; and Skylight Music Theatre, Inc.
The additional 23 affiliate groups receiving funding applied for a competitive, program-based grant.
