First, they define the community. Then ask what they need, not what they want. Finally, they don’t confuse it with some irrelevant “artistic vision.” Why isn’t yours doing that? One of the great bugaboos of the nonprofit arts industry is that, while it must be responsive and responsible to the communities in which each individual charity operates, the definition of … [Read more...] about The Case for Support: Arts Capacity Walks the Walk Among Nonprofit Arts Organizations
Giving Tuesday
So. THAT Happened. Now What?
Regardless of the elections, the issues haven’t changed for US nonprofit arts organizations. But the stakes are higher than ever. It’s been a week since election day, and rather than discussing that process, let’s take a moment to congratulate whichever ones of us survived the last couple of years. We may not last through the next four, but at least we’ve gotten this … [Read more...] about So. THAT Happened. Now What?
Talking To or Talking At? Or Even Talking at All?
Nonprofit Arts Leaders: Don't tell them about your mission, show them how you are fulfilling it. Don't just present, discuss. Do you talk about what’s happening to other folks in your community? Or are you “too busy?” This is an exchange that happened during a recent “Town Hall” with Vice President Kamala Harris taking questions from “undecided” voters in Pennsylvania, … [Read more...] about Talking To or Talking At? Or Even Talking at All?
A Nonprofit Arts Leader’s Christmas Carol
To the tune of “Here We Go A-Wassailing,” to kick off your nonprofit holiday season (with apologies to all)... Here we go soliciting To everyone we see! Give a hundred thousand, You’ll get a tote bag free! Give and give Unto us; Give again Before Christmas! Be a donor and when you do, We’ll ask you once again. Every day, we’ll just ask … [Read more...] about A Nonprofit Arts Leader’s Christmas Carol
Giving Tuesday Is Coming - Just Another Gimmick?
I know. The latest data shows that Giving Tuesday is responsible for about .056% of your donations this year. And while that doesn’t sound like much, if it were multiplied by 365, you find that it is 20 times the daily rate necessary to reach your contributed revenue goals. But let’s take another look at that data. Your organization already has days where donations … [Read more...] about Giving Tuesday Is Coming - Just Another Gimmick?