It Takes A Village: Building a Culture of Philanthropy

I T TA K E SA V I L L A G E

B U I L D I N G AC U L T U R E O F

P H I L A N T H R O P Y

W E S T E R N M U S E U M S A S S O C I A T I O N

A N N U A L M E E T I N G - P H O E N I X

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6

J A M E S G . L E V E N T H A L

N E A L V . H I T C H

N I K I C I C C O T E L L I S T E W A R T

BUILDING A CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPY

• What is a culture of philanthropy?• Why is it so efficient and rewarding?• Who is involved?

Development consists of those often subtle, frequently intangible, and not immediately measurable acts which draw donors and volunteers closer to the organization into an understanding of shared values.

- Kay Sprinkle Grace, Beyond Fundraising: New Strategies for Nonprofit Innovation and Investment (New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997), p. 15.

DEVELOPMENT IS…

10 STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

1. Fundraising is an exchange of values2. Focus on those shared values 3. Base case on success & promise of success4. Giving Circle

10 STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

5. Connect & Communicate Constantly6. Work the donor pyramid7. Organize Thoroughly8. Offer a mix of giving opportunities9. Base solicitation on “peer to peer”10. Engage with Energy, Enthusiasm, Ethics

Why is it that all of us here – presumably members of the arts community – probably know more about the currents of thought in contemporary science than those in contemporary art?

Why have the sciences yielded great explainers like Richard Dawkins and Stephen Gould, while the arts routinely produce some of the loosest thinking and worst writing known to history?

Why has the art world been unable to articulate any kind of useful paradigm for what it is doing now?

THE NEED FOR ADVOCACY

If we're going to expect people to help fund the arts, whether through taxation or lotteries, then surely we owe them an attempt at an explanation of what value we think the arts might be to them.

- Brian Eno, Turner Prize speech 1995

THE NEED FOR ADVOCACY

Development consists of those often subtle, frequently intangible, and not immediately measurable acts which draw donors and volunteers closer to the organization into an understanding of shared values.

- Kay Sprinkle Grace, Beyond Fundraising: New Strategies for Nonprofit Innovation and Investment (New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997), p. 15.

DEVELOPMENT IS…

What can we all do?

• What is your museum’s model?

• What is your personal model for asking for money?

• What are you passionate about?

DEVELOPMENT IS……PART OF EVERYONE’S JOB.

• Catholic charities• Jewish modes, the schnorrer• A business-like approach - “this is what it will

take…”• Bureaucratic - government needs and reporting• Lead program staff, reporting to a Director of

connecting with Development staff “someone else’s job…”

• Are you volunteering and donating elsewhere?• Others

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL MODEL FOR ASKING FOR MONEY?

The problem lies with the cultural sector’s inability to mount a compelling case of evidence to convince these effective altruists that tangible and meaningful benefit does indeed result from investing in the arts and culture.

Our impassioned arguments about how museums can change lives and bring communities closer together are all well-and-good, but they mean very little to a data-driven philanthropist if we cannot bring supporting evidence with us to prove our point.

- Rob Stein 2014

DEMONSTRATED EVIDENCE

C A S E S T U D I E SB U I L D I N G A C U LT U R E O F P H I L A N T H R O P Y I N S M A L L , M E D I U M A N D L A R G E I N S T I T U T I O N S

N E A L V. H I T C H

E X E C U T I V ED I R E C T O R

I M P E R I A L V A L L E Y D E S E R T M U S E U M

SAVE A BOX CAMPAIGN

FRIENDRAISER CAMPAIGN

N I K I C I C C O T E L L I S T E W A R T

C H I E F E N G A G E M E N T O F F I C E R

C R Y S T A L B R I D G E S M U S E U M O F A M E R I C A N A R T

WALKER FAMILY SCHOOL VISIT PROGRAM

SURVEYING GEORGE WASHINGTON

D I S C U S S I O N :E S S E N T I A L Q U E S T I O N ST H E W O R L D C A F É A P P R O A C H TO TA K I N G A C T I O N

WORLD CAFÉ:A STRUCTURE FOR CONVERSATIONS THAT MATTER

• A framework for progressive rounds of conversation• At least 3 rounds, between 5-10 minutes each

• In groups of 4 or 5 people, discuss the essential question or topic at hand

• Every group discusses the same question• One scribe at each table captures the discussion• After round one, change tables and join a new group

For more visit www.TheWorldCafe.com

ROUND 1In groups of 4 or 5 people, discuss the topic at hand.

Every group discusses the same question.

One scribe in each group captures the discussion.

Essential Questions:

How might my staff and colleagues respond to building a culture of philanthropy at our museum?

How might our donors, volunteers and guests respond?

How might I kick things off when I get home?

ROUND 2Join a new group.

Discuss the topic at hand.







ROUND 3Join a new group.

Discuss the topic at hand.







TA L K B A C KS H A R E YO U R T H O U G H T S A N D D I S C O V E R I E S

TALK BACKWhat did you hear?

What surprised you?

What might you do next?





I T TA K E S A V I L L A G E …

WANT TO KNOW MORE?James G. LeventhalDirector of Development, San Jose Museum of [email protected]

Neal V. HitchExecutive Director, Imperial Valley Desert [email protected]

Niki Ciccotelli StewartChief Engagement Officer, Crystal Bridges Museum of American [email protected]

Government & Nonprofit

It Takes A Village: Building a Culture of Philanthropy