News Release

SYRACUSE — Chautauqua-Wawasee’s once a year annual fundraising campaign concluded successfully Monday, Jan. 8.

“Due to the generous contributions of Syracuse and Wawasee residents, we blew over the top of our 2024 goal,” a grateful Mark Knecht shared. “Grant funding and donations are the life blood of our ability to offer life enriching programs, most of them free to attend.”

Chautauqua-Wawasee develops and sponsors programs in support of the four Chautauqua “pillars:” arts, education, faith and recreation.

“Our goal is to make Syracuse and the region a great place to visit, work, live and raise a family,” cited Knecht, the organization’s president. “As a nonprofit organization, our annual campaign is a significant and critical component of our financial budget.”

Among the programs donations support are the: Purdue Varsity Glee Club, March 1; Taps Across the Water at Dusk, May 26; Patriotic Speaker series featuring Ben Franklin, June 30; Pawasee Dog Parade, June 22; Stories of the Miami People, Sept. 7; Famous Hoosier series featuring John Wooden, July 13; Old-Fashioned Christmas; and 12 other programs.

The majority of Chautauqua programs are offered at no cost to attend, so the support provided by the annual campaign makes these programs possible. Its team of 60-plus volunteers is also a key element of its success in 2023.

Chautauqua-Wawasee was founded in 2014 to provide the “Chautauqua Experience” for Syracuse and northern Indiana region. As a 501c(3) nonprofit organization, grants and donations are the primary sources of revenue to support and provide programming. For more information, visit CHQW.org.