Dear Friend of The Florida Center,

As the recently elected President of The Florida Center for Performing Arts and Education, Inc. Board of Directors, I want to bring you up to date on our effort to build the performing arts center and the status of the Johns Site Option Agreement. Our agreement with the City of Tallahassee, to secure what we believe is the ideal site for The Florida Center, required that we raise $5 million in private funds by July 1, 2010, to maintain the option agreement. With approximately $1.5 million raised to date, we are on the agenda for the August 25 City Commission meeting to request an extension of the deadline to reach the $5 million fundraising milestone.

As you well know, our national economy has suffered in the throes of a major recession over the last couple of years. In November 2008, two months after we hired our Campaign Executive Director, the National Bureau of Economic Research officially announced that the US economy had been in recession since December 2007. As a result, charitable giving across the nation plummeted from pre-recession 2007 levels by $6.5 billion in 2008, and $7.5 billion in 2009, the largest declines in the forty years that records have been kept, with arts and cultural groups being one of the hardest hit sectors.

In order to maximize our fundraising opportunities, and avoid appearing insensitive to the hardships being felt in the community, our Board of Directors strategically decided not to aggressively solicit major gifts in the midst of this difficult economic environment that would have greatly increased the likelihood of a negative response. Instead, in 2009 and early 2010, we successfully focused our efforts on Board recruitment, organizational development, strategic planning, community outreach, campaign planning and preparation, and identification and cultivation of potential donors. Our focus was on preparing the organization to successfully support the Building the Stage for Our Future campaign and cultivating lasting relationships with individuals, corporations and foundations that would result in fundraising success as the economy recovers.

It is important to remember that we are planning and building for our community’s future. I do not believe the current economic malaise we are in will last forever, and we are committed to be ready to move forward with an important asset for our community when we come out of this recession. If we don’t continue to plan, to inform and raise private dollars today, we will not be prepared to move forward when economic times are good.

Despite the economic downturn and the need to request an extension of our fundraising milestone, we have made significant progress in the overall effort to develop The Florida Center. I look forward to sharing more about our progress, including the work of our new Education and Public Outreach Committees, and our ongoing discussions with several major corporations throughout the state, who are being asked to provide significant financial support and become Founding Partners of The Florida Center.

Lastly, I would like to make you aware that the Tallahassee Democrat will publish a feature article about The Florida Center this Sunday, August 1st. While it will include many positive facts about The Florida Center, it will also include comments from those who oppose our effort and will make the public aware of our scheduled appearance before the City Commission. Several of our Board Members have met with the press to answer questions and provide requested information, which we feel is our obligation as transparent, accountable, good stewards of the public and private funds with which we are entrusted. As valued supporters and friends of The Florida Center, I wanted to personally make you aware of the article and assure you that we remain committed to our mission and optimistic about our future success. I also promise to keep you informed on new developments and provide information on how you can help.

Thank you for your past support. We ask that you continue to support our effort to develop a performing arts center that will enhance our community’s entertainment, economic and educational futures, as we continue to move forward with Building the Stage for Our Future.

Sincerely,

Bob Inzer, President

The Florida Center for Performing Arts and Education, Inc.
Post Office Box 20012, Tallahassee, Florida 32316-0012
Ph: 850.597.8020

THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND EDUCATION, INC. IS A REGISTERED ORGANIZATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-HELP FLA (800) 435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND EDUCATION, INC. REGISTRATION NUMBER: CH21709. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF DONATIONS WILL BE USED BY THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND EDUCATION, INC.