We’ll save the orchestra if we can call the shots

The Non-Profit Quarterly has a remarkable story from inside the National Philharmonic, the Maryland orchestra that almost died.

It appears that one of the players offered to donate $275,000 on condition that his group took over the management of the company.

This did not go down well with the present management and the gift was rejected.

Jim Kelly, a local businessman who also plays in the orchestra, organized a bailout, but did so without engaging many members of the organization’s board. Earlier this week, according to Bethesda Magazine, he offered what he described as “an independent, comprehensive plan to ensure that the National Philharmonic keeps its doors open and moves forward on solid financial footing.” Along with other donors, he was prepared to give $275,000.

The donors placed an unusual condition on their gift, though: the donor group would take over the nonprofit’s leadership. Kelly and his group made the infusion of new resources “contingent on [Kelly] taking over as interim president of the organization and current board member Harris Miller ascending to interim board chair. National Philharmonic subscriber and supporter Julie Pangelinan would become vice chair and treasurer.”

Read on here.