There is a theater company sitting right in the heart of America that dedicates every activity, every program, and every human interaction to the notion of radical hospitality. The idea of “radical hospitality” is not new. The Torah: “The strangers who sojourn with you shall be to you as the natives among you, and you shall love them as yourself; for you were strangers … [Read more...] about The Case for Support: Mixed Blood Theatre Produces Positive, Quantifiable Impact for the People of Minneapolis
Nonprofit Management
Nonprofit Arts Organizations: If You Can’t Beat ’Em, Join ’Em? Really?
With an empowered anti-arts, anti-education, and anti-culture base running the country, this is the time to commit to your community, not fall into the trap of cancelling them. It’s all gone topsy-turvy. We live in New America now. Ironically, the group that wanted to “Make America Great Again” has moved the country in a completely different direction than ever. We … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Organizations: If You Can’t Beat ’Em, Join ’Em? Really?
Measuring the Arts is Impossible – Which Is Why Funders Should Measure Charitable Impact Instead
Imagine what would happen if foundations and corporate donors funded not by grantee promises or relationships, but by their deeds and impact instead. Ah well, a man can dream, can’t he? Imagine a world in which nonprofit arts organizations are given every tool they need to succeed. Or, in lieu of that, enough money to care for their communities, provide needed services, … [Read more...] about Measuring the Arts is Impossible – Which Is Why Funders Should Measure Charitable Impact Instead
Why Do Donors Ask for Irrelevant Data?
Could it be that you never talked to them about your nonprofit’s charitable goals and how they mesh with the donor’s? Whose fault is that? A few weeks ago, I participated in a discussion about the arts and measuring impact in the community. As every other author does, I believed that the message that the arts are not a tax-exempt activity had been spread far and wide among … [Read more...] about Why Do Donors Ask for Irrelevant Data?
Last of the Summer Whine
The seven attributes of a successful nonprofit arts organization. You gotta do all seven to win. Before I take off for a month, I thought I’d let you in on the secret to success for nonprofit arts organizations. Note how “raising money” is not among the things on the list. That’s a business practice, not an attribute of success. Of course you’ll have to raise money! That … [Read more...] about Last of the Summer Whine