The NEA and NEH Received Additional Allocations… Do You Qualify?

Posted , by Wendy McGrady, Executive Vice President. Topic: Arts & Culture, Crisis Fundraising, Fundraising, Government.

By Wendy McGrady Executive Vice President Are you curious to know how the CARES Act impacts your museum or cultural institution? In addition to the loans, tax credits, universal charitable deduction, suspended adjusted gross income limits, individual financial support and payroll tax extension that I mentioned in my last blogpost, the National Endowment for the… Read more »

Positive trends seen in giving to community colleges

Posted , by Wendy McGrady, Executive Vice President. Topic: Giving USA, Higher Education, Philanthropy Research & Events.

Good news for higher-ed advancement professionals—your hard work and investments in your fundraising program are paying off! As institutional budgets continue to shrink and the role of private philanthropy becomes more important than ever, it appears that your efforts are showing results. Last month, our president Keith Curtis, immediate past chair of Giving USA Foundation, shared with you the overall… Read more »

Positive trends seen in giving to arts, culture & humanities

Posted , by Keith Curtis, President. Topic: Arts & Culture, Giving USA, Philanthropy Research & Events.

With a banner year for giving to arts, culture and humanities, these organizations have employed a variety of innovative tactics to engage donors and increase the contributed revenue that supports their missions. This investment in arts fundraising has resulted in a measurable boost in success. As immediate past chair of Giving USA Foundation, last month I shared with you the overall… Read more »

Key takeaways from our client who just raised $8.5 million

Posted , by Wendy McGrady, Executive Vice President. Topic: Capital Campaigns, Higher Education.

While mistakes can be valuable learning opportunities, this is a case where the client did everything right. Blue Ridge Community College followed our advice to the letter—and the results speak for themselves. Founded in 1967, Blue Ridge Community College offers comprehensive programs of instruction including associate degrees, diplomas and certificates in occupational/technical and college/university transfer… Read more »

Key giving trends for arts & culture institutions: A sector-specific look at GIVING USA

Posted , by Michael Marks, Consultant. Topic: Arts & Culture, Giving USA.

It’s a good time to work in the arts. Charitable donations to this sector reached their highest level ever—an estimated $17.07 billion—last year, thumb according to Giving USA 2016: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2015, which was released June 14. Last month, our president Keith Curtis, immediate past chair of Giving USA… Read more »

Key giving trends for community colleges: A sector-specific look at GIVING USA

Posted , by Wendy McGrady, Executive Vice President. Topic: Giving USA, Higher Education.

As the pressure increases on institutional budgets and presidential performers, higher-ed development professionals have been required to step up their game. And it appears their efforts are paying off. Last month, our president Keith Curtis, immediate past chair of Giving USA Foundation, shared with the big-picture findings of Giving USA 2016: The Annual Report on Philanthropy… Read more »

Key giving trends for independent schools: A sector-specific look at GIVING USA

Posted , by Wendy McGrady, Executive Vice President. Topic: Giving USA, Independent Schools.

As the pressure increases to build out school campuses and increase programmatic offerings, independent school advancement programs have been required to step up their game. And it appears their efforts are paying off. Last month, our president Keith Curtis, immediate past chair of Giving USA Foundation, shared the big-picture findings of Giving USA 2016: The… Read more »

Tips on Converting Event Donors to Organizational Donors

Posted , by Wesley Stanley, Marketing Director. Topic: Arts & Culture, Donor Prospects.

We recently tuned in to an informative webinar on “Converting Event Donors to Organizational Donors” presented by fellow Giving Institute member, Event 360. The webinar, part of Giving Institute’s monthly series, opened by defining the characteristics of these two distinctly different types of donors—the difference being the individual’s degree of knowledge, connection, motivation and investment…. Read more »

What Do You Need From Your Board?

Posted , by Wendy McGrady. Topic: Arts & Culture, Boards of Directors.

In last week’s blog post, a board member talked about his expectations and role within a board. He shared his thoughts during a panel discussion that Keith and I led as part of a workshop for the Virginia Association of Museum’s Annual Conference. Friends and clients, Page Hayhurst, Executive Director, Carolyn Cuthrell, Director of Development, and Joe Witt,… Read more »