Supporting the Arts

PONCHO has been giving to the arts since 1962. A small group of civic leaders came together at that time to save the Symphony and ended up creating one of the finest art communities in the country. Those visionaries understood that great art can create a great community.

45 years later, PONCHO has given just over $32 million to support over 200 different arts organizations. In the beginning, the majority of those gifts went to prop up or start up our major arts institutions such as the symphony and the opera. Over time however, PONCHO has been a consistent supporter of middle size groups and emerging organizations.

Beginning in 1997, PONCHO began supporting arts education and outreach programs provided by arts organizations. In that time over $2 million has been given to programs that introduce the arts to all aspects of our community.

Today our funding priorities are:

Being a consistent and generous funder of our major arts institutions – no surprises
Providing unrestricted operating funds to mid-tier and entrepreneurial arts organizations
Providing funding to support arts education
Encouraging new works and risk taking
Establishing a reserve fund
Growing an endowment

Click here for more information on PONCHO's funding process and application criteria.