The first tip: for a nonprofit organization to work, everyone has to care about why they’re there; otherwise, there’s no need for them to stay. Over the next few years, your nonprofit arts organization will be tasked with trying to succeed in a local and national environment not terribly interested in your work. Certainly not your art. It is with that in mind that we … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Success in a Changing Environment, Tip 1: Stop Terrorizing Your People
Mission Statement
Last of the Summer Whine
The seven attributes of a successful nonprofit arts organization. You gotta do all seven to win. Before I take off for a month, I thought I’d let you in on the secret to success for nonprofit arts organizations. Note how “raising money” is not among the things on the list. That’s a business practice, not an attribute of success. Of course you’ll have to raise money! That … [Read more...] about Last of the Summer Whine
Mission Grammar for Nonprofit Arts Organizations: Flick the Prepositions and Cut the Nonsense
Your community requires “Why,” not “How” – and the slogans have got to go Let’s make this short and impactful. Well, impactful anyway. Get the prepositions, whether they’re attached to a phrase or not, out of your mission statement. And the slogans, too. Not only are they unnecessary, but more than that, these words set up your nonprofit arts organization for … [Read more...] about Mission Grammar for Nonprofit Arts Organizations: Flick the Prepositions and Cut the Nonsense
If Your Nonprofit Arts Organization’s Audience Is Comprised Solely of Ticket Buyers, You Missed the Point, the Boat, and Your Chance
Have you stuck by your audience? Are you stuck with your audience? Would you like to get unstuck? Subscriptions are dead. Subscriptions are not dead. Frequent buying of tickets is a pipe dream. Frequency is occurring at nonprofit arts organizations that aren’t yours. Ticketbuyers are old, want to be entertained, and dying off. Ticketbuyers are old, want to be … [Read more...] about If Your Nonprofit Arts Organization’s Audience Is Comprised Solely of Ticket Buyers, You Missed the Point, the Boat, and Your Chance
What Are Your Nonprofit Art Board Members’ Real Responsibilities?
The beginning of a series offering ideas that might disturb, comfort, or provoke nonprofit arts organizations into community action. Read it anyway. Toss the ideas around. There’s an old handbook still being published by BoardSource, Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards. You might already have a copy of either the original (2009) or any of its revisions. It’s not … [Read more...] about What Are Your Nonprofit Art Board Members’ Real Responsibilities?