Fundraising Growth Now!

Tax laws have changed, and we continue to be asked:  what does this actually mean for fundraising? The answer is less dramatic than the headlines suggest. In this episode, we look at why fundraisers should stay focused on relationship-based fundamentals, what to watch for in major donor conversations, and how to respond to hesitation. Where is this question showing up most for your organization ri...

Artificial intelligence has rapidly changed how people work, communicate, search online, write, and make decisions. And it's here to stay.    For arts and cultural organizations, the questions now are:  how can AI help fundraising, and where can  only the human element advance philanthropy?   In this episode, RSC CEO Catherine Heitz New speaks with Founder Bob Swaney about that question. Bob’s vie...

We're continuing our podcast series, Hear From Your Peer. This week, RSC Principal Consultant Jeremy Hatch sat down with Jonathan Martin, an arts leader who has helped various organizations through growth, financial pressure, Board dynamics, audience change, and long-range planning. Listen in for a few steady lessons that apply to Development staff, Executives, and Board members alike.

We're continuing our podcast series: Hear From Your Peer. In our latest episode, Jeremy Hatch talks with Brittany A. Hall, President and CEO of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, about how that mindset shapes audience experience, builds stronger engagement, and supports the path from attendance to philanthropy.

 Earlier this year, we launched a special series, Hear From Your Peer, spotlighting arts leaders and their fundraising practices. Now, we're going to give you more of what you want with an encore series. Join guest host Jeremy Hatch, principal consultant of RSC Associates, as he speaks with more leaders in the field, uncovering the shared practices and mindsets behind today's most successf...

 Earlier this year, we launched a special series, Hear From Your Peer, spotlighting arts leaders and their fundraising practices. Now, we're going to give you more of what you want with an encore series. Join guest host Jeremy Hatch, principal consultant of RSC Associates, as he speaks with more leaders in the field, uncovering the shared practices and mindsets behind today's most successf...

If individual giving is critical to fundraising growth, the next question is simple: how healthy is the donor pipeline feeding that growth? This week on the podcast, RSC CEO Catherine Heitz New takes a close look at the components of a healthy donor pipeline and how organizations can assess whether their pipeline is strong, developing, or at risk.

If you’re a fundraiser in the weeds right now, you might be blaming yourself for what is actually a systems problem. “In the weeds” is restaurant lingo for what happens when the load exceeds the structure. When rotation breaks, a good server can look like they’re failing in just a matter of minutes. Fundraising is no different. When goals rise, and everything lands at once, the solution is not mor...

We’re at our last week of our podcast series:  Hear from Your Peer , where each week we’ve shared a conversation with an arts leader who’s achieved meaningful fundraising results in their organization. We’ve explored how they approached their biggest wins, what’s driven their momentum, and the practical insights they’ve gained along the way.  Today’s episode features Jeromy and Lyndy Franklin Smit...

Today’s episode features Rachel Ford, Chief Executive Officer with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra in Knoxville, Tennessee, who has successfully built major gifts through strong portfolio-management, despite a small team.

We’re continuing our podcast series:  Hear from Your Peer , where we’re sharing conversations with arts leaders who have achieved meaningful fundraising results in their organization. We’re discussing how they approached their biggest wins, what’s driving their momentum, and the practical insights they’ve gained along the way.  Today’s episode features Sidney P. Jackson, President and CEO of the C...

We’re continuing our podcast series:  Hear from Your Peer. Today’s episode features Amy Williams, President and CEO of the Savannah Philharmonic, who has reshaped the orchestra’s programming to uniquely serve its community—and in doing so, unlock new fundraising growth. Listen today for clear, candid guidance from people who are doing the work every day, and to highlight the strategies, habits, an...

We’re continuing our podcast series:  Hear from Your Peer. Today’s episode features Kathryn R Martin, President and CEO of the Santa Barbara Symphony, who reflects on securing transformational gifts and the universal principles that inspire donors to make a gift of a lifetime. Listen today for clear, candid guidance from people who are doing the work every day, and to highlight the strategies, hab...

We’re in our new podcast series: Hear from Your Peer.  Today’s episode features Mary McFadden Lawson, Chief Philanthropy Officer with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, who highlights how team alignment and intentional planning, paired with a culture that celebrates every win, are the foundations of meaningful long-term donor success.

Last week, we launched our new podcast series: Hear From Your Peer. Today’s episode features Paul Hogle, President and Chief Executive Officer with the Cleveland Institute of Music, who has crafted ambitious Strategic Plans that stay pragmatic and relational, and most importantly, drive fundraising growth.

We’re starting the new year with an 8-week podcast series: Hear from Your Peer . Each week through January and February, we’ll share a conversation with an arts leader who has achieved meaningful fundraising results in their organization. Across the series, we’ll explore how they approached their biggest wins, what’s driving their momentum, and the practical insights they’ve gained along the way. ...

We’re keeping things short and sharp this month. Everyone’s busy and could use a quick laugh and some practical advice. So, listen today for a practical approach on how to quickly increase results.

We’re mixing things up this month with a quick, 90-second spin—because everyone’s short on time and could use a laugh  and  a little practical advice. Listen today for THE most important thing you need to know about DAFs.

We’ve been talking about the "Art of the Ask" lately, but today, we’ll take a step back and address a question we hear all the time:  what if I can’t even  get  the meeting? It’s one of the top frustrations we hear from fundraisers – “I ask, but my donors won’t meet with me.” Sound familiar?  Listen today as we talk through some practical tactics that are working in the current environme...

Relief funds are a thing of the past. Expenses keep climbing. Ticket sales are unpredictable. And public funding is shifting.  It’s no wonder so many organizations are feeling paralyzed when it comes to fundraising. Listen today for why individual giving still reigns supreme when it comes to driving sustainable revenue growth.

Today, let’s talk about YES. This is a word every fundraiser wants to hear, especially when it’s in response to a major gift Ask. But it’s important to remember that BIG yeses are built on SMALL yeses. Listen today, and learn how small yeses are the path to strong donor relationships.

Let's address a topic that comes up with EVERY organization we work with regardless of staff or budget size, and that’s: getting your Board more active in fundraising . Often, this begins with the client sharing they’ve TRIED EVERYTHING but still feel stuck. If you’re there, I’m going to share two practical tips to help you move forward.

The “Ask” moment can fluster even the most seasoned fundraiser, but with a few simple steps, you can create a conversation that feels natural, authentic, and effective while strengthening your donor relationships Listen today, and become more confident and prepared for your next donor conversations.

We often hear: “I know I need to Ask more personally, but once I’m face-to-face with a donor, what do I say?” It’s a big topic, so we’re breaking it down, starting today with an overview of a full Ask conversation and the first two steps that set you up for success. Listen today as we talk about a roadmap for your next donor solicitation meeting.

If you’ve been in the trenches long enough, you know exactly what we’re talking about today when I say a single word:  burnout . Leadership burnout is not just some buzz phrase. It’s a very real problem in arts organizations, and if we don’t take it seriously, we’re going to continue losing great industry people.  So, let’s break it down. What is leadership burnout in arts management and Board lea...