Benjamin Disraeli might have been referring to the latest irrelevant data on the economic power of the arts in 2021. [Jeez Louise. Why do they make me have to write this?] Let’s start with a basic question. What constitutes relevant data? If you’re really hungry and you find yourself in an apple orchard, which one of these points is the most relevant to you? If … [Read more...] about “Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics” – Another Bad Research Project About the Arts Leads to Worse Conclusions
Development and Fundraising
What’s Your Nonprofit Arts Board’s Fifth Most Important Responsibility?
Now that you have the first four under your belt, here’s where the rubber meets the road. Okay, nonprofit arts board members, let’s go over this again. In order: And now, finally, #5. Advocate. Advocate zealously. In September 2020, we discussed the idea that board members are not ambassadors, regardless of what you may have heard. In fact, it was in the … [Read more...] about What’s Your Nonprofit Arts Board’s Fifth Most Important Responsibility?
What Is Your Nonprofit Arts Board’s Second Most Important Responsibility?
Read last week’s article for #1. This week: raise the funds to pay for why you do what you do. You probably don’t think this is your second most important responsibility. It is. It is, because no matter who is working for the company, it is every board member’s task to make sure money is there to enact your charitable mission (which is your most important … [Read more...] about What Is Your Nonprofit Arts Board’s Second Most Important Responsibility?
What Did You Talk About at Your First Nonprofit Arts Board Meeting Tonight?
Robert's Rules of Order? The art? The revenue? The needs of the community? It’s the first Tuesday in February. Welcome to your first board meeting! It’s 7:00pm. You rushed home, had a quick dinner, and drove like a bat out of hell to get there at 6:55. Surprisingly, you’re among the first people there. You were unanimously elected to the board at the January … [Read more...] about What Did You Talk About at Your First Nonprofit Arts Board Meeting Tonight?
Nonprofit Arts Board Members: “Oughta” Just Won’t Cut It
You know what you really oughta do? Stop telling other people what they oughta do. “Oughta.” The “O” word. Board members are not consultants. They advise, to be sure, but a good board member does not see him- or herself as a consultant. Consultants are paid to tell the truth to the organization in order for the organization to thrive (although too many are paid to echo … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Board Members: “Oughta” Just Won’t Cut It