Sarasota Opera Relief Fund

On March 13, 2020 Sarasota Opera was forced to suspend all operas, concerts and events of the 2020 Winter Opera Festival. The financial impact of that closure, with the loss of revenue from refunded tickets, as well as the cancellations of future events to be held at the Sarasota Opera House, was approximately $1.1 million. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, support gained through The Giving Challenge, additional support from Foundations, and a PPP loan from the federal government, we were able to mitigate most of that loss.

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing pandemic, we have also been forced to cancel our fall mainstage production of Don Giovanni and the Sarasota Youth Opera production of The Hobbit.

We will not remain silent! Despite the loss of these operas along with two concerts, we are finding ways to share the joy of music and the thrill of live performance with our community in a safe and responsible manner. Concerts in outdoor venues, pop-up performances around the greater Sarasota area, live streaming, and virtual events will ensure that the music you love continues to resonate around the Suncoast.

That is why we are asking you to support the Sarasota Opera Relief Fund with a tax-deductible donation of tickets for cancelled performances or a cash gift. By doing so, you are helping to limit the financial impact to the company and ensuring the stellar performances and uplifting experience you are used to will be waiting for you when you return to the Opera House. 

We are so grateful to our annual STAR donors, Co-Producers, and Youth Opera supporters who continue to renew their support. We hope you will consider an additional gift to the Relief Fund this year. Your Relief support will be added to your annual gift and we will recognize the cumulative gift accordingly in our program materials and with benefits to match.

Recent COVID-19 relief legislation has extended the charitable giving deduction provided in the CARES Act of 2020. Taxpayers can take a charitable deduction of up to $300 on their 2021 Tax Return, even if they do not itemize deductions. For those who do, the deduction cap of 60% of adjusted gross income has been increased to 100%.

To make a cash donation online or over the phone, please contact
Director of Development, Scott Guinn at (941) 328-1304 or email at [email protected].