CIM donors shatter 104-year-old Annual Fund record

The concert halls at CIM may be quieter than usual this summer, but there is much to applaud nonetheless, given the remarkable state of philanthropy at the school. 

On Wednesday, July 24, CIM announced that its 2023-24 Annual Fund campaign had reached its goal of $2.75 million, an ambitious amount 10 percent higher than any other Annual Fund in the school’s 104-year history. 

CIM President & CEO Paul W. Hogle attributed the success to gifts, grants, and sponsorships from the State of Ohio and nearly 1,000 individuals, corporations, and foundations, many of which represented the largest to date from those sources. 

“Annual fund campaigns are successful because of reliable, yearly generosity paired with exceptional episodic support to advance the mission,” Hogle said.  

“These results are an unambiguous statement of confidence in CIM’s students, their scholarships, learning environment, and careers, and will go far in shaping the future of classical music.”    

Leading the way in the latest Annual Fund campaign were Cleveland’s corporate community and CIM’s Trustees, whose giving in 2023-24 increased substantially. Also critical was a one-time grant from the State of Ohio, in support of the Academy, CIM’s celebrated pre-college training program.   

Unlike cause-specific fundraising, such as CIM’s ongoing Second Century campaign, the CIM Annual Fund supports essential day-to-day operations. At CIM, these include recruitment, scholarships, payroll, guest artists, utilities, and building costs.  

The Annual Fund campaign has been on a long upward trajectory. Since 2015, giving to the CIM Annual Fund has increased by 83 percent.  

Other CIM fundraising also has enjoyed remarkable success of late. In fiscal 2024, which ended June 30, philanthropic giving to CIM’s annual, endowment, and capital campaigns closed at a combined $10 million, a new school record.  

All of this stands in addition to the notable recent achievements of CIM’s alumni. In late June, CIM announced and celebrated dozens of CIM graduates who had earned positions in major ensembles, performing arts organizations, or universities within the preceding 12 months.  

“We take great pride in seeing our graduates fulfill their dreams and potential, accomplishing exactly what CIM prepared them for,” said Scott Harrison, CIM’s Executive Vice President & Provost.   

One year into his appointment, Chief Development Officer Mark Litzler said he is still inspired by the CIM community. Between CIM’s students, faculty, and staff, and its uncommonly generous donors, he remains as energized for CIM and its future as he was on day one. 

“Working with CIM’s amazing Trustees and Governing Members to empower the world’s most talented classical music students to fulfill their dreams and potential is a true privilege,” he said.  

“The infectious energy and talent exhibited by CIM’s students continually fill me with enthusiasm, and I look forward to playing my part again this coming year in raising funds to support them.”