Upgrade Our Stage: FSYO Launches Power2Give Campaign

For Immediate Release

December 13, 2013

FSYO Launches its first Power 2 Give Campaign Fundraiser

ORLANDO, FL – The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra has officially launched its first Power2Give Campaign. Power2Give is a program similar to crowd funding websites, such as kickstarter.com and indiegogo.com, but is geared toward assisting in the fundraising of non-profit arts organizations. Hosted by United Arts of Central Florida, FSYO's project aims to replace the organization's old, worn conductor's podium. The orchestra's "pitiful podium" is not only an eyesore, standing apart as a bright red behemoth in a sea of concert black, it can also become a safety hazard to the talented conductors that ascend it concert after concert.

FSYO, currently serving over 250 students spanning 9 different Central Florida counties, hopes to raise the funds to acquire a good quality podium that will last for many years to come, serving not only the musicians of today but also tomorrow's young music-makers. The financial goal of the fundraising project is $1136, which will cover the cost of a new, durable conductor's podium, a road case to protect it during transport and insure longevity and the administrative and management fees incurred by the website. Individuals wishing to help fund the orchestra's campaign and see them reach their goal can visit the campaign website at http://power2give.org/go/p/2554.

ABOUT: The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra aims to educate and inspire Florida's top young musicians through programs committed to strengthening musical talents and developing appreciation of the arts through classical music. The FSYO, in its 57th Concert Season, comprises three full orchestras and one string training orchestra made up of 237 students from around Central Florida.

Programs are sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs; the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; Darden Restaurant Foundation; Universal Orlando Foundation; and United Arts of Central Florida. The FSYO is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more information, please visit www.fsyo.org.

ABOUT: Power2Give is an online arts and culture marketplace. It matches donors with projects for which local nonprofits are seeking funding. It allows donors to breathe life into the arts and culture local community — project by project. It stretches donors' dollars by letting community supporters offer matching dollars to boost support for these important projects.

United Arts of Central Florida is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization and the one-stop shop for funding of the arts, sciences and history throughout Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties.