Milwaukee Symphony Emergency Campaign Closes Budget Gap

Three months after shrinking its ensemble and office staff to help tackle a $2-million deficit, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra has exceeded a $5-million emergency fundraising target to stabilize its finances, the Journal Sentinel reports.

More than $2.8-million came from individual donors, including 1,408 new contributors who gave an average of $340.25. The biggest individual gift was $1.5-million from an anonymous donor. Foundations and corporations kicked in a combined $1.65-million.

With musicians having approved a downsizing from 79 players to the mid- to high 60s through retirements and attrition, the orchestra will operate on a $15.8-million budget for 2014-15, down from $17.2-million this season.