Organizations are asking board members to step up, appealing for planned gifts, and emphasizing community-outreach programs.
By Maria Di Mento, The Chronicle of Philanthrophy, October 27, 2023
It’s not often that a performing-arts organization lands a major gift without first courting the wealthy donor, but that’s what happened to the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. Last year, retired Waste Management founder Dean Buntrock and his wife, Rosemarie, pledged $2 million, after just a few months of discussions. It’s the symphony’s largest gift to date.
Many performing-arts organizations are struggling to recover from significant financial shocks brought on by the pandemic and audiences’ slow return. Against that backdrop, the Buntrock gift illustrates how thoughtful community outreach programs, along with traditional artistic offerings and creative forward-looking new ones can attract wider attention and support from wealthy donors. Performing-arts fundraisers and leaders are spotlighting their onstage and offstage offerings to attract big donors and remind them why the performing arts matter. Read more.
Includes a section on “Big-Gift Fundraising Tips From the Arts That Any Cause Can Put to Use”