PORTopera Issues Challenge to Supporters: Raise $100,000 and Match Major Donor

PORTLAND, Maine ’Äì PORTopera has been presented with an incredible fundraising opportunity: a long-time donor has pledged $100,000, but with one condition; this money will be a match to an additional $100,000 that the company must raise through new donations. If PORTopera is able to complete the challenge, the gifts will total $200,000’Äîa sum that will help secure the future of the opera company for years to come.

PORTopera made the fiscally conservative decision to celebrate its 15th Anniversary last summer with a concert instead of presenting a fully staged production. The decision was made out of concern for the challenging economic climate and provided a sound alternative to the much pricier option of casting, rehearsing and staging a full-scale opera. The savings realized from this event have allowed the company to finish its fiscal year in the black; other similarly sized opera groups across the country have not been able to stay afloat during the recession.

Achieving the recently presented $100,000 goal for new donations and receiving the corresponding matching gift will enable PORTopera to return to the stage at Merrill Auditorium next summer with a full-length production. In anticipation of meeting the challenge, PORTopera is planning a provocative version of Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel for 2010.

Gifts that qualify for the matching program include donations from patrons who have not contributed since before 2007, from those who increase their gifts from previous years and completely new donors, including corporations and foundations. All of these gifts will be matched, up to $100,000, by PORTopera's major donor.

"This $200,000 opportunity is exactly what we needed in order to truly plan for our future," said board president Don Head. "We were very nervous about our future leading up to last summer's concert, but after meeting this challenge, we will be in a strong position for the next 15 years."

For more information about PORTopera and this matching challenge, visit www.portopera.org or call 207-879-7678.