Operating Support Grant - Renewal

MSO is beginning rehearsals for its 42nd season, with concerts planned for November, February and April in Virginia, Cook, and Ely. We have been on an upward trajectory for a decade, and are fortunate to be led by an excellent Artistic Director/Conductor who is a good fit for our organization. This is a good point in our history to evaluate where we are going: are the strategic goals set in 2011 still our goals today; given our financial constraints, does MSO benefit more from hiring staff or expanding our concert season; and should we be focusing more on recruiting and serving musicians or growing our audiences – or can we do both? Irrespective of how we answer those questions, MSO's most important measurable outcomes for 2020 are these: • Restore our financial health • Secure artistic leadership for the 2020-2021 season • Develop a staffing structure that is sustainable and meets the needs of the orchestra Achieving these outcomes will position MSO for whatever future it pursues. The first outcome will be met if MSO reaches six months’ reserves on hand by the end of June, and maintains or increases its reserves throughout the end of 2020. Months of reserves on hand will be measured by dividing unrestricted funds by the budget for the next six months. The second outcome will be met if MSO signs a contract with Benjamin Nilles or an equally qualified individual for the 2020-2021 season. Maestro Nilles’s current contract extends through June 2020. The third outcome will be met if MSO has staff in place to manage all the necessary tasks of running the orchestra. These staff members may be paid or volunteer, but their pay may not cause reserves to fall below 6 months on hand.