The Encore Society

Chicago Opera Theater’s Encore Society is an inspiring group of forward-thinking opera lovers who want to support the future of theatrically thrilling, innovative, and accessible opera in Chicago. These commitments are integral to COT – helping us to continue presenting exciting premieres and unique productions to the community for years to come.

When you make a designation of any size through bequests, insurance policies, IRAs, or any other legacy-giving asset provision, you become a member of COT’s Encore Society.

If you have made such arrangements, please let us know by contacting Meaghan Stainback Smallwood, COT’s Director of Development, at ms@cot.org or 312-874-7454.

Benefits include:

  • Exclusive invitation to our annual Encore Society Event

  • Invitations to dress rehearsals

  • Opportunities to meet guest artists

  • Recognition in COT materials, as desired

Ways to make a planned gift to Chicago Opera Theater

There are several options to provide a legacy gift for Chicago Opera Theater. Many provide significant tax benefits to you or your heirs. Please talk to your financial advisor or estate attorney about the best option for you and your family.

Estate designations for the future allow you to make a generous commitment now without affecting your current income.

Options for giving in this way are:

  • Including COT in your will or trust through a bequest

  • Naming COT as a beneficiary on a retirement asset (such as a 401(k), IRA, investment account, etc) or on a life insurance policy

There are also options that provide a steady stream of income for yourself or your loved ones with significant tax advantages, including Charitable Remainder Trusts or Gift Annuities. These types of planned gifts pay out to you or your beneficiaries for your lifetime or a specified time period, and gift the remainder to Chicago Opera Theater.

Sample Bequest Language

Including COT in your will or trust is as easy as adding a sentence to your estate plan! Sample language is below:

"I give to Chicago Opera Theater, a nonprofit corporation currently located at PO Box 180120, Chicago, IL 60618-0533, or its successor thereto, _________ [insert written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted charitable use and purpose."

COT’s federal tax ID number is 23-7354963

If you have any questions, or would like to make us aware of a planned gift, please contact Meaghan Stainback Smallwood, COT’s Director of Development, at ms@cot.org or 312-874-7454.

Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor.