Welcome to BOUNDLESS, A Campaign for Chautauqua
Dear Friend,
There are moments that change the course of history. Driven by the actions of determined individuals, these inflection points move our civilization forward, inspire others to dream, and forever change the landscape of humanity. One hundred fifty years ago, a Methodist bishop and a visionary industrialist united to create a sacred place of respite and sparked a movement that changed the world.
A century and a half later, we celebrate our inheritance of their legacy of curiosity and commit to stewarding their mission of expanding our horizons together.
It is in this spirit that we embark on a new endeavor to secure Chautauqua Institution’s future for the next 150 years. Welcome to BOUNDLESS, A Campaign for Chautauqua.
It’s hard to imagine a better word to encompass the core objectives of this campaign, which are rooted in optimizing our hallmark Summer Assembly experience, expanding Chautauqua’s reach beyond our historic grounds and traditional operating season, preserving Chautauqua Lake, and securing a more sustainable financial model through a strengthened endowment and increased annual giving.
But the spirit of Boundless transcends key objectives and essential fundraising goals. Boundless is about celebrating our past, coming together as a community in the present, and committing ourselves to building a stronger future for Chautauqua.
Over the course of the next two years, Chautauqua will call on our community to achieve our $150 million campaign goal. To date, a generous coalition of private and institutional donors has already contributed more than $105 million, surpassing the total raised in any of our past campaigns and establishing a strong foundation for success.
We invite you to embrace our priceless legacy and commit to stewarding both the place and the purpose.
United, we can raise $150 million for our next 150 years.
For together, we are Boundless.
Michael E. Hill, Ed.D.
President
Chautauqua Institution
Brenda and Larry Thompson
Campaign Co-Chairs
Chautauqua Institution
Campaign Goal:
$150 Million
Raised to Date:
$105 Million
Priority #1: A World-Class Experience
As Chautauqua seeks to thrive in a competitive environment, our success will depend on a vibrant Summer Assembly season that attracts new patrons and makes them eager to return year after year. Through actions that include restoring and weatherizing the Athenaeum Hotel, breathing new life into Bellinger Hall, building a flexible seasonal staff housing solution to expand essential operational capacity, and investing in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) initiatives, among other key objectives, we will elevate the patron experience and put Chautauqua on stronger footing for long-term success.
Priority #2: Expanding Our Role as a Convener
We plan to expand Chautauqua’s programming to reach diverse new audiences and provide them the chance to explore issues of pressing importance deeply and meaningfully. We will fulfill our mission with greater impact and position the Institution to participate in the national conversation in larger ways through strategic actions that include strengthening the Climate Change Initiative, establishing a year-round Chautauqua Fellows Program of distinguished thought leaders, and constructing a permanent facility for Chautauqua Theater Company that fosters artistic collaboration at every step of the creative process.
Priority #3: A Thriving Chautauqua Lake
Chautauqua Lake is essential to the Chautauqua experience, critical to the area economy — and a body of water facing serious challenges. The Institution is committed to a response combining solid science and robust cooperation among many stakeholders. Building on our formative initial investments, we will extend support for The Jefferson Project, form a stronger regional coalition to take joint action and pursue “in-lake” interventions, and secure our place as a leader in lake restoration and conservation efforts regionally and nationally.
Priority #4: Endowing a Vibrant Future for Chautauqua
Chautauqua’s 150 Forward Strategic Plan targets the goal of increasing and diversifying revenue to address critical needs and build financial resiliency. Today, a not-for-profit like Chautauqua Institution cannot thrive without strong philanthropic support. We will double down on our efforts to bolster the Chautauqua Foundation and promote long-term sustainability with investments in four key areas: flexible endowment, programmatic excellence, programmatic leadership positions, and scholarships.
Join us by making your investment in Chautauqua’s future.
To make a gift online, visit giving.chq.org/boundless
For information about Boundless or additional ways to make a gift, contact the Office of Advancement:
advancement@chq.org or 716-357-6404.