Major Sponsor Loss Puts Windsor's SummerWind in Jeopardy

Windsor's SS&C SummerWind Performing Arts Center has lost financial support from its anchor sponsor, putting the 2014 season in jeopardy, the non-profit performing arts organization has announced.

The sponsor has decided to discontinue it financial support of SummerWind, amounting to a loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars, because the company is leaving the state of Connecticut, said SummerWind Executive Director Michael L. Campbell, who decided against revealing the identity of the departing sponsor.

The lost sponsor comes on the heels of a pivotal year for SummerWind — a year during which the organization doubled its offerings and was able to purchase its own stage equipment. From a funding perspective, Campbell noted the organization saw a significant increase in the past year — an 89 percent increase in grants and a 65 percent increase in individual donor contributions over the past year.

Despite the financial growth, the unnamed anchor sponsor's departure has put the upcoming season under SummerWind's famous tent in jeopardy.

"It's difficult to find a $200,000 sponsor in just a few weeks, but we are looking at all the possibilities," said Douglas Kerr, chair of SummerWind's board of directors.

"We live in an arts-loving community and I have high hopes that we will find a company that wants to support SummerWind and the thousands of patrons who attend our concerts. We've overcome many challenges since our inception in 2002. Now we need to close this gap."

Visit SS&C SummerWind's website to learn more about the self-described "premier outdoor concert venue."