"The people of Indianapolis have truly stepped up this year to show that they value the Orchestra as a part of the community," orchestra president Richard P. Hoffert said in a statement.

Hoffert added that the orchestra intends to boost its endowment in order to limit dependence on annual contributions.

The ISO posted deficits of $284,000 and $545,000 in 2002 and 2003. According to a spokesman for the orchestra, the orchestra has not completed its accounting for the 2004 fiscal year, which ended on August 31, but expects a healthier bottom line.