Chicago Symphony Orchestra Receives $50 Million Gift

This week, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association announced receipt of a $50 million gift from the Zell Family Foundation. The Zells’ gift is one of nearly 200 donations made to the symphony’s SEMPRE ALWAYS capital campaign.

What’s the buzz: On Tuesday, December 10th, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) announced that the Zell Family Foundation had gifted the association 50 million dollars. The Zell family’s gift is one of 200 made to the symphony’s SEMPRE ALWAYS campaign, which has now raised $215 million for the CSOA. The campaign supports the CSOA’s strategic goals, which include debt reduction, increasing the organization’s endowment, funding musician and staff benefits, touring projects, as well as various digital and artistic initiatives.

Behind the scenes: Helen Zell, chairman of the Zell Family Foundation, is an avid member of the CSOA community. She chaired the search committee that in April named Klaus Mäkelä as the CSO’s 11th music director. Zell also served as the CSOA board’s first female chair, holding the position for two consecutive terms.

The Zell Family Foundation was established by Helen Zell’s husband, Sam Zell—a billionaire entrepreneur, real estate magnate, philanthropist, and former owner of the Chicago Tribune—who died in 2023. Based in Chicago, the Zell Family Foundation funds causes, including the arts, education, cancer research, recreation, human service, youth development, and Jewish causes.

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Sara Schabas

Sara Schabas is a Dora-nominated soprano, writer and yoga teacher. She has performed and created leading roles with companies including Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, the Dayton Opera, and Aspen Opera, and is a former member of Barbara Hannigan’s Equilibrium Young Artists. Currently based in Montreal, she is a doctoral student at McGill University — where she recently received the Wirth Vocal Prize — and editor of Art Song Canada magazine.