Acclaimed New York City Orchestra Joins Facebook Challenge to Win $250,000 Grant

New York City's critically acclaimed Riverside Symphony, widely valued for its adventuresome Lincoln Center concerts at Alice Tully Hall, support of emerging soloists and composers, and Music Memory education program for New York City public school children throughout the five boroughs, is competing with charities nationwide for donations ranging from $250,000 to $20,000 through the Chase Community Giving program running on the Facebook platform.

Next year marks the symphony's 30th-anniversary in New York City as a vital cultural player whose very creation and continued relevance to this city's classical music scene is due to the grassroots dedication of its artists, audience and financial supporters. As such, Riverside embraces the populace power of social networking and applauds Facebook's efforts to empower a premier arts organization like Riverside Symphony to widen the scope of its influence beyond what is possible through traditional media and modest operating budgets.

Through the utilization of the social media networks, the Chase Community Giving program has already directed more than $5 million dollars toward charities nationwide. After a great start in 2009, the program is being continued into this summer- giving 200 additional charities from across the country, including Riverside Symphony, the opportunity to win grants to further their mission.

The current round of the Chase Community Giving program is designed to benefit smaller and local charities by limiting the competition to organizations with annual expenses of less than $1million. The eligible charity with the most votes receives $250,000; the top 4 runners-up receive $100,000 per charity; and the remaining eligible charities in the Top 200 will each receive $20,000. More than $5 million dollars will be distributed to top vote-getters.

Founding director Anthony Korf comments: "A grant of even $20,000 would have an incredible impact on Riverside Symphony and its ability to champion new music, to showcase emerging artists and to expand its music education programs in under-served New York City public schools. One of the orchestra's greatest supporters has been The New York Times, who once commented: "Were it not for brave enterprises like Riverside Symphony, no one would hear programs of such ambition and originality."

How To Help
Spread the word to New Yorkers and arts lovers from around the country to help Riverside Symphony win up to $250,000 by simply "Liking" the Chase Community Giving program at: http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/ and casting their votes to determine this summer's winners.

If you have questions about Riverside Symphony or would like to get involved, please contact justin@riversidesymphony.org or call 212-864-4197.