Growing a Perennial Lotus
We’re proud to celebrate 20 years of Lotus. We’ve got deep roots in our community, and we’re growing tall.
Lotus has been working to build an endowment for a while, thanks in large part to the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County’s Matchstick Program. We’ve been a partner every year the Foundation has offered the program – since 2006. And once again, Lotus is benefiting from this endowment-building initiative.
This year, as we ramp up our drive to build a healthier endowment, Lotus is aiming for a goal of $100,000: From April 1, 2013 through March 30, 2014, the Community Foundation will give the Lotus-Fitzgerald Endowment $1 for every $2 contributed. In practical terms, this means that Lotus will raise at least $66,667 to receive a match of $33,333 — the largest match the Foundation has ever granted.
One of Bloomington’s longtime leaders – Charlotte Zietlow – will help give voice to our 20th year celebrations and our endowment initiative. Community members know Charlotte from her many years in local government, politics, and community development; however, Charlotte has also been an active advocate for Lotus since its beginnings:
“Twenty years ago, Paul and I were very excited about the new world music festival in town, and we attended that first Lotus with great joy. Over the years, our Lotus World Music and Arts Festival has only gotten better: it’s become a destination celebration of sounds and colors and ideas from everywhere, and a showcase for the qualities that make Bloomington a wonderful place. For me, Lotus is the purest enjoyment of cultures right here where we live, and I want to be part of helping it continue for many, many years to come. A celebration of the Festival’s first twenty years is the perfect time to build an endowment that will ensure its future.”
… Plus, a Vintage Lotus T-shirt Re-boot
One of the ways that we’re celebrating Lotus at 20 is a re-issue of our first-year Lotus World Music and Arts Festival T-shirt (pictured above). The distinctive spiral lotus design came from the creative mind of artist Karen Combs (who will be designing this year’s Festival T). This is the first re-issue of our popular 1994 shirt, and net proceeds from every sale will go directly to the Lotus-Fitzgerald Endowment. T-shirts will be available at all Lotus at 20 concerts, at this year’s Festival, and through the Lotus office.
Call (812) 336-6599 for pricing and order information.
