Annual Giving
Membership Benefits

  • • Invitation to one ESO open rehearsal

  • • Recognition in the electronic concert program book
    • Invitation to attend two ESO open rehearsals

  • Enjoy all of the Friends of the ESO benefits, plus
    • Two complimentary guest passes to the Hemmens Crescendo Lounge

  • Enjoy all of the Supporting Member benefits, plus
    • Access to the Hemmens Crescendo Lounge, all season long
    • Lunch with the Musicians. Enjoy an intimate gathering with fellow supporters and your ESO musicians. *Purchase Required

  • Enjoy all of the Crescendo Circle benefits, plus
    • You and a guest will be invited to one donor event with ESO staff and musicians

  • Enjoy all of the Concierge Circle benefits, plus
    • Evening with the Orchestra. You see them onstage at every concert; now, get to know your ESO musicians one-on-one over wine & hors d'oeuvres

  • Enjoy all of the Overture Circle benefits, plus
    • Exclusive opportunity to sponsor an Elgin Symphony Orchestra Musician or Guest Artist appearance

  • Enjoy all of the Virtuoso Circle benefits, plus
    • Enjoy the exclusive opportunity to name an Elgin Symphony Orchestra Concert
    • Exclusive invitation for private dinner with Music Director Chad Goodman

  • Enjoy all of the Conductor's Circle benefits, plus a special curated benefit package

  • Enjoy all of the Diamond Circle benefits, plus a special curated benefit package.

The Annual Giving Fund is fundamental to sustaining our mission and allows ESO to provide equitable programming throughout the many communities we serve.

We are proud to recognize and celebrate the generosity of our annual giving donors with this Giving Roster.

View Annual Giving Roster

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra is pleased to offer these benefits and privileges to our donors in appreciation of their generous support.

If you have any questions, or would like to make a donation, please contact Development Manager Amber Broderick through our office line (847) 888-8179 or email her using the button below.

Ways to Give

Thank you for considering a gift to the Elgin Symphony Orchestra as part of your philanthropic giving. Friends can give to the ESO in a variety of ways including checks, credit cards, electronic fund transfers, gifts of stocks and securities, or other assets. You can easily make your contribution to The ESO by choosing any of the following giving options.

  • To make a credit card gift online, visit www.elginsymphony.org/donate

  • You may make a gift by sending a check made payable to the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and mail to: 

    Elgin Symphony Orchestra
    Attention: Development Office
    20 DuPage Court
    Elgin, IL 60120

  • Immediate tax deductions and tax-free growth on the contribution are often key benefits for those making gifts through a donor advised fund. To initiate a gift to the ESO from your Donor Advised Fund, please use the following tax-ID for the orchestra 36-3145577.

  • Gifts of appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares can be a tax-advantaged way to provide support for the ESO. Please contact your stockbroker or go online for most brokerage accounts to initiate a gift. Additionally, please inform the ESO of your incoming stock transfer/gift, as these gifts require facilitation on our part as well.

  • Please notify our team prior to making transfers so we can confirm receipt of your wire and ensure proper application of your gift as banks provide minimal information on wire transfers.

  • Donors age 70½ or older may give up to $100,000 directly from an IRA to qualified charities without paying federal income tax on the distribution. Donors may choose to make a qualified charitable distribution from an IRA to make a gift to support the ESO or to fulfill an existing pledge.

  • Planned gifts are a wonderful way to show your support of the ESO’s mission while accommodating your own personal, financial, estate-planning and philanthropic goals. If you’d like to start a conversation about Planned Giving, or if you have already arranged for a legacy gift, we want to hear from you!

  • If you have any questions about making a contribution to the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, please contact CEO Marc Thayer at m.thayer@elginsymphony.org or Development Manager Amber Broderick at a.broderick@elginsymphony.org.

Thank you for your continued support of the ESO!