UPAF kicks off 2020 campaign

So grateful for the opportunity to perform for UPAF’s 2020 Launch. Article by David Shuyler below.

United Performing Arts Fund president and CEO Deanna Tillisch kicked off her last fundraising campaign with the united arts fund with a pair of special initiatives: the official launch of the Kasey's Fund Initiative and an addition to the UPAF Ride for the Arts — a special bike race across the Hoan Bridge.The 2020 campaign is the last for Tillisch, who announced in September 2019 that she will retire Sept. 30, 2020, as the head of UPAF, an organization that raises operating funds for 14 member performing arts groups and various affiliate member groups in the Milwaukee area. The UPAF campaign kickoff event was held at the Skylight Music Theatre in Milwaukee's 3rd Ward and featured performances by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Rep, Florentine Opera, First Stage and Skylight Music Theatre.Throughout the program, UPAF member groups shared insights on UPAF-funded outreach efforts, including a unique American sign language performance from Skylight Music Theatre. Broadway veterans turned local actors Andrew and Susan Varela emceed the program, which also featured remarks from UPAF and community leaders.As in recent years, UPAF set no specific monetary goal for the campaign outside of hopes to grow upon the prior year's effort. In 2019, UPAF raised $11,881,893, with $8,820,000 allocated to performing arts groups in 2019. UPAF did set a goal of raising $250,000 through the one-year Kasey’s Fund Initiative with all dollars going directly to ensure arts accessibility in the region. The fund is named after Tillisch's daughter, who while having profound cognitive and physical disabilities has an extremely evident appreciation for the arts. New or increased gifts to the campaign designated for Kasey's Fund will be directed to UPAF's two community outreach programs: UPAF Bright Minds, presented by BMO Harris Bank, and UPAF Connect, presented by Northwestern Mutual.