Chicago Symphony Orchestra Receives $10M From TAWANI Foundation

The gift from investor Jennifer Pritzker’s foundation will support the orchestra’s  operations and and community engagement initiatives

The TAWANI Foundation was founded in 2002 by philanthropist and entrepreneur Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired) to endorse arts and culture, historic preservation, human rights, and environmental initiatives. 

Its recent multi-year gift of $10 million to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) will support “SEMPRE ALWAYS: The Campaign for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra,” which is CSO’s $175 million fundraising effort for financial sustainability, including paying down debt and fully funding the musicians’ pension plan.

The campaign further supports musical excellence and will expand the orchestra’s education and community engagement initiatives. TAWANI’s gift will also include a $5 million challenge grant to incentivize other donors to join the effort. 

Founded in 1891, the CSO now performs in over 150 concerts each year across the U.S. and abroad, and continues building its discography of acclaimed recordings. To date, its SEMPRE ALWAYS campaign has raised $159.3 million, with all new and incremental gifts to the CSOA endowment to be matched by the TAWANI Foundation.

“As a long-time enthusiast and current CSOA Board Member, I am proud to support an esteemed cultural organization like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra through TAWANI Foundation,” Col. Pritzker said in the press release. “Our commitment honors the profound impact of the arts, uniting communities and inspiring generations, and it is a privilege to continue recognizing CSO’s vital role in enriching our shared community.”

“The impact of this leadership gift from the TAWANI Foundation is extremely meaningful and wide-reaching,” added CSOA’s President Jeff Alexander. “It allows the organization to achieve greater financial stability, sustain the musical excellence of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and share musical resources through education and community programs well into the future. We express sincere gratitude to the TAWANI Foundation for this significant commitment.”