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Shape Your Legacy

Discover how you can enhance and support the future of our Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Planned gifts allow you to support the CSO’s long-term fiscal stability and often provide financial benefits to you as well. Examples of planned gifts include a bequest in your will or trust, charitable gift annuities and naming the CSO as a beneficiary of your retirement fund.

All planned giving donors enjoy the benefits of membership in the Theodore Thomas Society, named in honor of the founding music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Through special activities and access to VIP Patron Services, the Theodore Thomas Society honors its members by enhancing their appreciation of music and their sense of belonging to the CSO family.

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Planned Giving FAQs
Read sample language and get our EIN for your documents.
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Theodore Thomas Society
All planned giving donors enjoy the benefits of membership in the Theodore Thomas Society.
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Meet Our Members
Read the stories of Theodore Thomas Society members who have made the CSO a part of their legacy.
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IRA Giving
Learn about supporting the CSO through your Individual Retirement Account.
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Planned Gift Calculator
Planned Gift Calculator
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Planned Giving Intention Form
Planned Giving Intention Form
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Impact of Your Planned Gift
Klaus Mäkelä named next music director of the CSO
Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä named the next Music Director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra — the 11th in the ensemble’s 133-year history.
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Alexandria Hoffman recalls Civic Fellowship as time of immense growth
“The Civic Fellowship challenged me both musically and professionally,” said alumna Alexandria Hoffman. “Through Civic, I came into my own confidence as a musician, and I was prepared to be a leader in music and in the world in general.”
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Gateways Festival Orchestra
The Gateways Music Festival is a moment of visibility for Black classical music, a chance to network, and a chance to visit great venues. But it’s also a reunion.
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Celebrating Jessie Montgomery’s tenure as the CSO’s Mead Composer-in-Residence
Jessie Montgomery has left a profound impression on the orchestra and the city’s cultural scene during her three seasons as the CSO's Mead Composer-in-Residence.
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Volunteer tour guides share their wealth of CSO knowledge
A dedicated team of volunteers leads backstage tours of Symphony Center, which are a special benefit for donors.
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Rose Fay Thomas, My Great-Great-Great-Grandaunt
Meet Ben Poirot, a member of the Civic Orchestra's tuba section and the great-great-great-grandnephew of Theodore and Rose Fay Thomas!
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Learn More

To learn more about making a planned gift to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or becoming a member of the Theodore Thomas Society:

For More Information

We would be happy to help you understand the options available and the ways to go about setting up a plan that is just right for you. Contact a member of our team to help answer any questions you might have.

Contact Planned Giving

Brian Nelson
Manager, Endowment Gifts and Planned Giving
312-294-3192

Karen Bippus
Director, Endowment Gifts and Planned Giving
312-294-3150

220 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60604