We’ve been talking about the "Art of the Ask" lately, but today, we’ll take a step back and address a question we hear all the time: what if I can’t even get the meeting?

It’s one of the top frustrations we hear from fundraisers – “I ask, but my donors won’t meet with me.” Sound familiar? 

Listen today as we talk through some practical tactics that are working in the current environment.

Relief funds are a thing of the past. Expenses keep climbing. Ticket sales are unpredictable. And public funding is shifting. 

It’s no wonder so many organizations are feeling paralyzed when it comes to fundraising.

Listen today for why individual giving still reigns supreme when it comes to driving sustainable revenue growth.

Today, let’s talk about YES. This is a word every fundraiser wants to hear, especially when it’s in response to a major gift Ask. But it’s important to remember that BIG yeses are built on SMALL yeses.

Listen today, and learn how small yeses are the path to strong donor relationships.

Let's address a topic that comes up with EVERY organization we work with regardless of staff or budget size, and that’s: getting your Board more active in fundraising.

Often, this begins with the client sharing they’ve TRIED EVERYTHING but still feel stuck. If you’re there, I’m going to share two practical tips to help you move forward.

The “Ask” moment can fluster even the most seasoned fundraiser, but with a few simple steps, you can create a conversation that feels natural, authentic, and effective while strengthening your donor relationships

Listen today, and become more confident and prepared for your next donor conversations.

We often hear: “I know I need to Ask more personally, but once I’m face-to-face with a donor, what do I say?” It’s a big topic, so we’re breaking it down, starting today with an overview of a full Ask conversation and the first two steps that set you up for success.

Listen today as we talk about a roadmap for your next donor solicitation meeting.

If you’ve been in the trenches long enough, you know exactly what we’re talking about today when I say a single word: burnout. Leadership burnout is not just some buzz phrase. It’s a very real problem in arts organizations, and if we don’t take it seriously, we’re going to continue losing great industry people. 

So, let’s break it down. What is leadership burnout in arts management and Board leadership? Why is it more widespread than it was ten years ago? And most importantly, what can we do about it?

One of the biggest obstacles to sustainable revenue growth? Making time to consistently fundraise.
Whether you're a CEO, a Development Committee member or a Board member at-large, your job isn’t just about keeping the lights on to provide your art – it’s about building the future. And guess what? That future depends on fundraising. But let’s be honest – most leaders know they should be more engaged in fundraising, yet somehow, there’s rarely enough time. 

Listen today as we talk about why this happens, and more importantly, how you can fix it. 

You’ve heard it a thousand times probably since childhood: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. In the world of arts fundraising, it’s more than just a moral guideline—it’s a practical strategy for building donor relationships that last.

Today, we’re going to explore how applying the Golden Rule at each stage of RSC’s Donor Flywheel—Identification, Cultivation, Solicitation, and Appreciation / Stewardship—can help your organization get donors, keep donors, and upgrade donors.

RFPs are a friend to no one. Not to arts organizations, not to their Board or staff, not to the consultants vying for the work, and certainly not to the project’s ultimate success. Yet, many organizations feel bound to this process, thinking it ensures fairness, transparency, and a good outcome. But in reality? It usually does the opposite.

Today, we’ll cover five reasons why RFPs fail each of these parties, five best-practice alternatives, and three next steps for any organization that truly wants to find the right fundraising consultant.