Best Ways to Get Donations for Nonprofit Art Organizations

Are arts organizations different?

I've spent the ameliorate role of my career at arts organizations. My love of theater brought me into the nonprofit earth. And then I know more than than a piffling about raising money for an arts organization.

And so permit me tell you a niggling story. One twenty-four hours I was talking with people at a social service organization. They complained that they had information technology so much harder when it came to fundraising. An arts organization has all these wealthy donors! And they beloved giving to something they can enjoy themselves!

I just laughed. Considering in all my years in the arts I usually heard but the opposite. "It's difficult to raise money for the arts! It's not like we feed hungry children!"

So let'southward brainstorm past saying that often the grass is greener – and more than bare – on both sides of the argue. Information technology'south all nearly your perspective.

The nuts are still the nuts. Fundraising is well-nigh building relationships. Information technology's about connections between donors and your mission. That'due south true whether you're housing people, curing disease, or making fine art possible.

You're notwithstanding going to utilise near of the tools, too. A strong case for support. Emotional, consistent communication. Not bad donor care.

But the arts have some unique challenges and advantages.

Challenges

The case for support

You lot wait at a world of hurt. And have a hard time "justifying" a asking to support art. "How tin can I inquire for money for theater when people are hungry?"

It'southward non wise to ignore this question. Information technology's a skilful question. Just the respond is to be found in your audience. And this is where it'due south important for a fundraiser to understand the art form.

If you don't believe art matters – if you don't feel information technology has an of import role in people'due south lives and in our culture – then you might reconsider working for an arts organization. It will be difficult for you to raise money.

If, however, you're a true believer – if y'all think art has the power to change lives, even change the course of history… well, then you share something with your audience.

(Working in a smaller community, I tin can likewise tell you that people who support theater and symphony and museums are often the aforementioned people who support shelters and food banks and literacy organizations. Donors donate – and have no obligation to be consistent to make our lives easier!)

So before you brainstorm, you demand to answer the question: why does our art matter? Unsure how to explain it? Go to the experts: current donors. Ask them why it matters. Acquire their stories. Dig into their emotional attachment to your system.

That'due south where you'll find the near compelling answer.

Urgency

This is a related claiming. Allow's face information technology – no one is going to die if the show or new exhibit doesn't open.

On the other paw, the show must get on – so you do take some built-in deadlines to work with. At the theater, we had a performance flavour that ran September through June. So I found I had a few calendar-based deadlines I could use. The end of the agenda yr was one. The end of the flavour some other (though the weakest). The last was a few months from the start of the new season. That's when raising money for an arts organization was specially important. We were making final decisions about what we could offering. And those decisions revolved around what nosotros had to spend.

Donors or patrons?

One of the consistent bug I faced as a fundraiser was an within problem. Who owns the list, marketing or fundraising? What'due south the priority, signing on new subscribers or finding new donors? Can yous raise money from someone who is non a subscriber yet?

Of course, this is a leadership issue. And a philosophical 1.

Leaders should never allow a tug of state of war betwixt the two income-generating departments. And philosophically, the answer is so simple – though besides rarely understood. Quit looking at it from the organization'southward point of view and first looking at it like a patron/donor.

When y'all can go past this claiming, the two departments can work dynamically together. And then both are more than successful. When donors and patrons are treated likeindividuals, they're more than likely to be loyal.

When they get a steady, consistent stream of communications, not some from here and some from in that location, they won't exist dislocated.

So become the systems together. Stop fighting over territory. Offset working together.

Controversy

Unless yours is a particularly staid fine art form, y'all may observe your donations vary based on the public's reactions to your organization'due south work. If yours takes on challenging topics, you know you lot run a risk losing donors – sometimes large ones. If enough supporters are upset, it makes raising money for your arts organisation difficult.

The all-time antidotes for this are teaching and relationships. If those donors are caught off baby-sit, or feel like the last to know, y'all might have issues. Bring them shut, though, and that'southward less likely. Yous may accept to push to exist sure you're able to do this. But push. It'southward worth it.

Staff exhaustion

You rarely work ix-5 if you piece of work in the performing arts expanse. Get set up to put full days in at the function and then stay through to meet donors.

If you're in a leadership position, information technology's of import to have this into consideration. Offer your staff flexibility. Some days volition need to be long – others can exist short. If yous're a staff person, carve out that infinite. Take your lunch away from the office. Brand some flexibility demands when you're hired or during reviews.

It can exist demanding. On the other hand, you lot'll see a lot of skillful theater, trip the light fantastic, or music performed!

Advantages

Performances and openings and more

Arts organizations' biggest advantage is art. They have tremendous opportunities to bring people directly to their mission. They can offering educational and social opportunities other types of nonprofits tin can't. If you lot're raising money for an arts organization, that'south your large advantage.

Don't waste product it!

Donors love those opportunities, too. Many years ago, I reworked my organization'due south donor benefits. We had been doing the old tote bag/t-shirt matter. Instead, we began offering open rehearsals, backstage tours, and dinners with artists. The chance to see behind the scenes and run into artists was much more appealing than a coffee mug!

And every time donors came to the theater, we had the chance to build on their love for it. And nosotros had a take a chance to meet donors personally.

A common linguistic communication

Chances are your donors share something of import with yous: you speak the aforementioned linguistic communication.

Use it to help donors feel similar the insiders they are. Just be certain information technology's inclusive, not exclusive. The arts don't need to be snotty.

Y'all've shared experiences, too. Audition members know the placidity thrill of a curtain rising or that moment's pause before applause washes over the room.

Feed their passion. Use these commonalities to build stronger relationships with supporters.

Self-interest

Arts lovers love art. And so supporting their favorite fine art course provides something they can enjoy themselves.

They're also frequently keenly interested in sharing their passion. So didactics programs for new audiences are terrific funding opportunities.

The bottom line

For those who love them, the arts are not frivolous. They're non extras or nice-to-have. They're what gives life depth and significant. They're how people come together – to wrestle with big questions, to understand the homo condition, to expand their worldview.

To be effective equally a fundraiser in the arts, you need to connect to your own love. Understand your art form. (Being an English/Drama major meant I could hash out plays with well-educated patrons and artists. That was important!) Wear your passion on your sleeve.

And remember: You lot don't need to excuse your cause. Your organisation won't be for everyone. So find your people – they're already in your audience or building.

See them, mind to what they say – then employ the data to talk to other donors and possible donors.

It's rewarding piece of work. I volition never end missing it, myself. And the people I bonded with years ago over our shared love for theater are withal some of my favorite people.

It'due south an exciting privilege to work for an organization creating great art. Enjoy every second you tin can!

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Source: https://mcahalane.com/raising-money-for-an-arts-organization/