Fundraising Growth Now!

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.

AI has made significant inroads into the arts sector, offering tools that can analyze data, predict trends, and even create art. However, its application in arts fundraising presents both opportunities and challenges.

Listen in today as we examine how these technologies are reshaping our approaches, discuss top AI tools and adaptable CRM platforms in our sector, and outline actionable steps to incorporate AI into your fundraising programs.

Many organizations think they have a fundraising program when really, they’re just fundraising. And let me tell you, there’s a big difference! It’s the difference between sprinting and running a marathon, between a one-time transaction and a long-term relationship. And if you want to build something sustainable, you need to know the difference.
Listen today for insights on the obvious differences and the deeper nuances. We’ll cover what makes a healthy fundraising program and how you can transition from simply fundraising to building something that lasts. 

An often-overlooked fundamental that separates a successful fundraising program from a stagnant one? Measuring Results. Let’s face it—if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. In today’s podcast, we’re focused on why measuring fundraising results is essential, what data points you should be tracking, who should review the information, and how to use that information to make tactical and strategic decisions. All because growth starts with knowing where you stand.

Too often, arts organizations look past small business owners, chasing instead after big corporate sponsors or national foundation grants. But here’s the truth: small businesses are our communities' backbone and prime candidates for arts partnerships that can be mutually beneficial and help enrich the local economy. Listen today for insights on why small business partnerships matter, how to cultivate them, and what obstacles to anticipate and overcome.