Why give?

  • By Artists, For Artists

    Since its beginning, CSI has prioritized the artists who power its concerts. Regular increases to performance fees help us bring the best song performers to Cincinnati.

  • Next, Together

    Commissioning new works helps us innovate song for the twenty-first century, which is the key to our communities seeing themselves reflected in this genre.

  • Growing Our Tent

    Programs such as The Fellowship of the Song and Song Connect welcome new members into our community by providing opportunities for learning and engagement.

Make a Gift

The Friends of CSI

As a Friends of CSI, you sustain the artists who make the music happen. You also join a tight-knit community that connects through a shared passion for song and its ability to bring people together.

Join today and feel your impact, immediately.

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Making a gift of less than $120? Click here!

“The arts industry relies on individual supporters not only to help fund its work, but also to shape its future. Becoming a Friend of CSI is more than just making a donation, it’s joining a community of arts and art song enthusiasts, engaging in meaningful conversations at concerts and events. Now more than ever, it’s essential to support the nonprofits that align with your passions, and for me, CSI is one of them.”

Nicolette R.

Three people taking a selfie at the Cincinnati Song Initiative event, inside a room with large arched windows, a portrait on an easel, and a projection screen with the event logo.

Song Ambassador Circle

Song Ambassadors support CSI’s mission with a gift of $10 or more each month* and enjoy the following benefits:

  • Priority booking for Mainstage concerts two weeks ahead of general access.

  • An exclusive invitation to pre-concert receptions with fellow song enthusiasts.

  • A semi-annual Friends of CSI newsletter from our Artistic Director.

  • Recognition for one Mainstage concert every season sponsored by the Friends of CSI.

  • 20% discount on CSI merch.

*We hope you will consider a monthly sustaining gift, but single donations of $120 or more each year are enthusiastically accepted. Why give monthly?

A woman in a beige dress holding a bouquet of flowers is talking to another woman in a black top in a library or bookstore.

Composer’s Circle

Members of the Composer’s Circle support CSI’s mission with a gift of $50 or more each month* and enjoy all benefits of Song Ambassadors, plus:

  • Individual acknowledgement in our concert programs and online.

  • A personal invitation for you and a friend to attend the annual Friends of CSI Thank-You reception and other private events.

  • Early bird registration to secure your spot for limited-capacity Song Connect events.

*We hope you will consider a monthly sustaining gift, but single donations of $600 or more each year are enthusiastically accepted. Why give monthly?

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Artistic Director’s Circle

Members of the Artistic Director’s Circle support CSI’s mission with a gift of $250 or more each month* and enjoy all benefits of the Composer’s Circle, plus:

  • A personal invitation for you and a friend to attend a dress rehearsal with artists and Cincinnati Public Radio hosts in preparation for a live-broadcast Mainstage concert.

  • The opportunity to sponsor a participating singer or pianist of the annual Fellowship of the Song festival.

*We hope you will consider a monthly sustaining gift, but single donations of $3,000 or more each year are enthusiastically accepted. Why give monthly?

Make no mistake: your contribution to Cincinnati Song Initiative has an enormous impact, regardless of how, when, or with what frequency you choose to give. With that said, we are on a mission to grow our community of monthly sustainers to build the strongest coalition of song lovers possible, and we hope you’ll join us.

When you give to CSI monthly, you ensure that we’re able to produce community song concerts, important educational experiences, and innovative digital content with consistency and confidence. Your reliable generosity allows us to plan boldly, create freely, and reach listeners near and far in service of song.

Thank you to the 2025-2026 Friends of CSI

Composer’s Circle

David Adams
Elizabeth & Ronny Michael Greenberg
Sherry & William McGraw
Nicolette & Adam Rader

Aliya Riddle
Jean & Terry Theman
Daniel & Paige Weeks

Several Anonymous Supporters
Mona & Richard Kerstine
Elaine Meyerhoffer
Lori Laitman & Bruce Rosenblum
Donna Loewy

Artistic Director’s Circle

And Our Numerous Song Ambassador Circle Members

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For more information on joining this special group of supporters, please email Kaylyn Taylor.

Get in Touch

Other Ways to Give

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Call our staff to make a donation over the phone. Brace yourself for delightful conversation.

Call Engagement Officer Kaylyn Taylor: (702) 281-8124

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Nothing beats good old-fashioned snail mail. We promise to have as much fun opening your check as you had writing it.

You can make it out and mail to:

Cincinnati Song Initiative
203 E 8th Street, Suite 3
Cincinnati, OH 45202

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If you are at least 70 ½ years old, you can make a qualified charitable distribution to CSI from your IRA without paying income taxes.

Please contact the financial institution holding your IRA assets.

Cincinnati Song Initiative is a 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 81-0918211. Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.