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Your act of generosity, our longevity

The Peoria Symphony Foundation is a non-profit private foundation that maintains and manages an endowment fund to provide long-term financial support to the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. Through gift planning, we invite you to use this website as a resource to help you share your legacy of support for the Peoria Symphony Orchestra while enjoying personal financial benefits.

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Harold Plowe Society

Donors make a difference by impacting the work and mission of the Peoria Symphony Foundation with their support.

The Peoria Symphony Orchestra (PSO) was founded by Harold Plowe - a man of enormous genius with an entrepreneurial spirit and divers interests. Plowe arrived in Peoria in the early 1880's. He was a performer, a maker of fireworks, and a skilled arches. As the PSO's conductor for over a quarter century, from 1898 until 1927, and as Conductor Emeritus from 1930 until 1941, Plowe nurtured the symphony from infancy through adolescence, from the height of Peoria's industrial gilded age, through a World War, and economic depression.

In the spirit of this dedication, members of The Harold Plowe Society help ensure a robust future for the Peoria Symphony Orchestra by committing at least $10,000 to the Peoria Symphony Foundation as either an outright gift or a gift in their estate. These funds are placed in a managed fund to provide long-term financial support to the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. We request legacy gifts be documented with either a Legacy Gift Intent Form, or a copy of the language in the donor's estate document

Two distinct groups will make up The Harold Plowe Society:

  1. Members who make a CURRENT gift of $10,000 or more to the Peoria Symphony Foundation will be recognized as members of The Harold Plowe Society at the following levels:
    • Amethyst - $10,000 to $24,999
    • Sapphire - $25,000 to $ 49,999
    • Emerald - $50,000 to $99,999
    • Diamond - $100,000 to $499,999
    • Pink Diamond - $500,000 +
  2. Members who share their decision to make a LEGACY/ESTATE gift of $10,000 or more to the Peoria Symphony Foundation are recognized as members of The Harold Plowe Society ? ENCORE at the following levels:
    • Amethyst - $10,000 to $24,999
    • Sapphire - $25,000 to $ 49,999
    • Emerald - $50,000 to $99,999
    • Diamond - $100,000 to $499,999
    • Pink Diamond - $500,000 +

Recognition: (Recognition will be offered with the donor's permission.)

  • New members will be inducted into The Harold Plowe Society at an annual reception and presented with a personalized certificate.
  • Member names may be listed where appropriate, such as on the Peoria Symphony Foundation website, Peoria Symphony Orchestra publications, and concert programs.
  • Members will be invited to special events throughout the year and identified through special nametag ribbons and/or pin.

Harold Plowe Society Members

DIAMOND ENCORE - $100,000-$499,000

Eugene M.* and Donna Sweeney

Warren M. Webber*

EMERALD - $50,000 - $99,999

Sharon and John Amdahl

EMERALD ENCORE - $50,000 - $99,999

Cathy and Stan Butler

Lois E. Casson*

David L. and Margaret A. Cover

Bob* and Jean* Gilmore

Merle* and Barbara Glick

SAPPHIRE- $25,000 - $49,999

Drs. John and Jackie* Ruthman

SAPPHIRE ENCORE -$25,000 - $49,999

Margaret L. O'Neill Trust

Charles E.* and Maryln G. Rager

AMETHYST - $10,000 - $24,999

R. Rennie Atterbury III

David and Virginia Gill

Reid and Sheila Hansen

Mr. and Mrs. Len A. Kuchan

AMETHYST ENCORE- $10,000 - $24,999

Ali and Gloria Bahaj

Wayne E. Baum Family Foundation

John and Linda Blossom

Ronald K. Burkey and Suzanne F. Burkey

John and Nancy Crawford

Dr. John R. Day*

Ann Franklin*

Don and Joanne* Hoffard

Joseph F. Kennell and Patricia A. Kennell

Mr.* and Mrs. James Kidder

Karl and Cheryl Kuppler

Michael and Trudy Landwirth

David P. Ransburg*

Walter C. Ruppman

Drs. Tony and Sue Sauder

Jim and Jill Sherman

Dr. Kip and Ann Strasma

Gene* and Harriett* Swager

David Walvoord

William Wilsen

Jan and H.L "Chappie"* Chapman Jr.

Diane Oberhelman

Patricia D. Talley*

Sandra O. Wuttke-Cummings