Arts organizations need the support of the community through individual donations, by drawing in new donors and by nurturing their current ones. They especially need to cultivate the next generation of arts lovers through young donors programs.
It is possible to sharpen the skill of asking for support for both volunteers and employees. The asking must be done in a way that conveys the impact of the donors’ gifts on the organization, and on the community at large. One needs to highlight the unique and distinct value that organization provides, and emphasize its achievements and impact on the community. It is also important to empower the artists who work with the organization to become effective ambassadors for it, solidifying the connection between the organization and its donors.
In the last five years that I have worked for the American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet on their telefundraising and subscriptions campaigns, I've trained new employees in how to get new donors to join as members, and how to finetune the scripts of their fundraising pitches for optimal results--I also had the opportunity to work for the New York Philharmonic. Working on those campaigns, and pitching to prospective donors directly, has given me the firsthand experience to know what works in getting donors to join. I believe I could use this experience to be an asset to your organization. I speak both from the perspective of someone who has worked at these organizations, and also someone who is a member of their support organizations, specifically as a member of ABT's Junior Council, their young donors program.
Donor cultivation is an extension of cultivating your audience, and cultivating the next generation of young donors is a direct result of cultivating a younger audience. I am not only a professional in arts development, but an avid arts enthusiast as well. Drop me a line if you’d like me to work with you!