I know, it’s tradition. Every year about this time, another carol and generally, you don't read it. But this will be the last one ever, so please make it count. Each year, we attempt a rather bad parody of a famous holiday poem or song to run on the Tuesday before US Thanksgiving, the least likely time you’ll read it. Let alone sing it. This year, we destroyed a … [Read more...] about The 2025, Final, Never-To-Be-Repeated, Carol for Nonprofit Arts Organizations
Philanthropy and Donors
Why Are American Nonprofit Arts Organizations Failing? It’s Not as Complicated as You Think.
The easiest explanations tend to be the right ones. I’m surprised that anyone in the nonprofit arts sector has any skin left on their hands with all the wringing that’s been happening in the industry about the loss of audience, money, and favor. Every article on the nonprofit arts seems to be the announcement of a death knell, a merger, slashed budgets, layoffs, … [Read more...] about Why Are American Nonprofit Arts Organizations Failing? It’s Not as Complicated as You Think.
Out of Hand Theater is the Best Theater in America
$1 million of government funding rescinded? Big deal. When your nonprofit arts organization chooses to do the right thing, it’s an equation that works. If you cast your mind back, I’m sure you’ll remember this column from May 7, 2024: Nonprofit Arts Success: Out of Hand Theater Shakes the Trees of Social Justice. After all, it was only just under 500 days ago and not … [Read more...] about Out of Hand Theater is the Best Theater in America
Born in the DSA*: It’s Time To Outlaw Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)
If you understand “Time Value of Money,” then you’ll understand just how uncharitable these schemes are — and the users know it. In the second article in the Born in the DSA series, I’d like to introduce you to a business school Econ 101 unit called “Time Value of Money.” In a nutshell, it works like this: In 2025, I have $100. For that $100, I can buy $100 … [Read more...] about Born in the DSA*: It’s Time To Outlaw Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)
“A PUNCHY, OUTSPOKEN ARGUMENT FOR HOW NONPROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE RUN.”
Pick up a copy of the Scene Change trilogy. Scene Change 3 just received its first review, and it's a doozy. You're going to want at least one for you and one for your board chair. An example-driven new map to success in the realm of nonprofit theater. “What good is a program without results that show impact?” asks theatrical director and producer Harrison, a 30-year … [Read more...] about “A PUNCHY, OUTSPOKEN ARGUMENT FOR HOW NONPROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE RUN.”