Ticket sales typically offset only a portion of the funding needed to support a non-profit arts organization. The remaining expenses are paid for through fund raising. Arts fundraising involves encouraging individual donors, local businesses, charitable organizations, government agencies, and others to give money or gifts to support the arts.

Nearly every arts organization solicits funds from its membership, patrons, and local businesses. For each category of donor development, the message we communicate must be different. Our objective is to help you tell your story and develop campaigns to encourage and maintain financial support of your organization.

Donor development also must consider the most beneficial time to seek support. The best time to solicit patrons is right after they have experienced your work. The challenge for most of us comes in determining who attended the event and relating their experience into a call for action that is executed while your creation is still fresh in their minds.

Business owners expect a return when they support your organization, and they expect the best exposure for their business name and information. To meet and exceed these expectations, your solicitation should correlate to your upcoming events. It also should focus on your organization's vision and contribution to the community rather than an individual budget line item.

A single form letter, sent out once a year is NOT a formula for success. Donor development must be timely, with an audience appropriate message. Campaigns must consistently seek donors and work to maintain and increase donation levels of those who have previously supported your organization. In addition, donations must be recognized immediately and new tax laws must be carefully observed when providing tax receipt information.

At Arts Management Group, we know the challenges of fundraising and donor development, and we will work with you to develop a donor plan that will help build your dreams.

Contact us today about providing fundraising and donor development services for your arts organization.