Fundraising Growth Now!

One of the biggest obstacles to sustainable revenue growth? Making time to consistently fundraise. Whether you're a CEO, a Development Committee member or a Board member at-large, your job isn’t just about keeping the lights on to provide your art – it’s about building the future. And guess what? That future depends on fundraising. But let’s be honest – most leaders know they should be more en...

You’ve heard it a thousand times probably since childhood: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. In the world of arts fundraising, it’s more than just a moral guideline—it’s a practical strategy for building donor relationships that last. Today, we’re going to explore how applying the Golden Rule at each stage of RSC’s Donor Flywheel—Identification, Cultivation, Solicitation, and Appr...

RFPs are a friend to no one. Not to arts organizations, not to their Board or staff, not to the consultants vying for the work, and certainly not to the project’s ultimate success. Yet, many organizations feel bound to this process, thinking it ensures fairness, transparency, and a good outcome. But in reality? It usually does the opposite. Today, we’ll cover five reasons why RFPs fail each of the...

AI has made significant inroads into the arts sector, offering tools that can analyze data, predict trends, and even create art. However, its application in arts fundraising presents both opportunities and challenges. Listen in today as we examine how these technologies are reshaping our approaches, discuss top AI tools and adaptable CRM platforms in our sector, and outline actionable steps to inc...

Many organizations think they have a fundraising program when really, they’re just fundraising. And let me tell you, there’s a big difference! It’s the difference between sprinting and running a marathon, between a one-time transaction and a long-term relationship. And if you want to build something sustainable, you need to know the difference. Listen today for insights on the obvious differences...

An often-overlooked fundamental that separates a successful fundraising program from a stagnant one? Measuring Results. Let’s face it—if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. In today’s podcast, we’re focused on why measuring fundraising results is essential, what data points you should be tracking, who should review the information, and how to use that information to make tactical and strate...

Too often, arts organizations look past small business owners, chasing instead after big corporate sponsors or national foundation grants. But here’s the truth: small businesses are our communities' backbone and prime candidates for arts partnerships that can be mutually beneficial and help enrich the local economy. Listen today for insights on why small business partnerships matter, how to cultiv...

How do arts organizations grow fundraising and ensure long-term sustainability when expenses are rising faster than earned revenue growth? The reality is this—as expense budgets increase, arts organizations become more dependent on their donors and grantors for fiscal sustainability. So, how do we close that funding gap? And perhaps more importantly, how do we attract donors who may not be consume...

Whether you’re a Board member wondering “What exactly am I supposed to do in fundraising?” or an executive leader struggling to equip your Board for successful fundraising, today’s podcast is for you. We’re going to unpack the Board Member’s Fundraising Toolbox—what you MUST have, what you’ll eventually NEED to have, and what you’d LIKE to have but can probably do without.

At RSC Associates, we’ve seen firsthand how artists who engage with fundraising create stronger organizations, deeper donor connections, and greater financial stability. In today's podcast, I’m going to walk you through seven common-sense ways artists can help fundraise. More importantly, I'm going to talk about why some artists hesitate to get involved and how we can overcome those barrie...

Donor-advised funds are transforming charitable giving, offering donors a strategic, tax-efficient way to support nonprofits. But, like any fundraising tool, DAFs have their pros and cons—both for the families who create them and the nonprofits that rely on them. At RSC, we’re getting more and more questions about DAFs, so today's pod will help break it down and answer some of the more frequen...

Leadership turnover is increasing, and highly valuable management leaders at all levels are either moving to another arts organization or completely out of the arts. New executive leaders are ascending to roles so quickly that they are often unprepared for the role’s expectations and challenges. Fewer seasoned leaders also means fewer mentors in the field willing—or able—to invest in the next gene...

Developing a highly active, energetic, responsible, and productive Board is the single most important element required for the long-term success of any nonprofit organization, including those in the arts sector. Mission, vision, standards of excellence, and fiscal sustainability all thrive through steady and dedicated leadership. In short, leadership either makes or breaks your organization. Today...

In this episode, we're diving into Board engagement with special guest  Susan Howlett , a highly respected expert with 40+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and Board development. Known for her direct, practical approach, Susan has empowered thousands of organizations to build strong boards and achieve sustainable fundraising success.   As a sought-after speaker, trainer, and author of...

If you have ever seen the classic Bob Newhart sketch, “Stop It”, you know how hilarious it is. But it's also very relatable for anyone involved in arts fundraising. Staff and volunteers are under constant pressure to keep contributed dollars rolling in, yet often slip into habits that hurt more than help results.   So, in Bob Newhart’s fashion, Bob Swaney will visit seven common pitfalls in arts f...

Contributed revenue goals drive the financial engine of your arts organization, empowering mission-driven programs, performances, and exhibitions, so fundraising goal-setting is too important to get wrong. Too often, organizations underestimate their potential or set their sights unrealistically high, leading to missed targets, underfunded projects, or overworked staff.    Today, Bob shares the ke...

When Giving Tuesday rolls around each year, nonprofits of all kinds buzz with energy, hopeful for a big day of donations. Yet, for arts and cultural organizations, putting too much weight on Giving Tuesday can be fraught with potential pitfalls. In this episode, Bob outlines five reasons why relying heavily on Giving Tuesday could be more of a setback than a windfall, and then provides five altern...

We've all been in those Board meetings or had those conversations where someone drops a big name or points out a high-net-worth individual with the phrase, 'Wouldn’t it be great if we could just get  them  to give?' But chasing people who may have deep pockets but no real interest in the arts is most often a fool's errand, and it pulls us away from building lasting relationships with people who ac...

Whether you’re a staff member or a Board volunteer, you know the pressure of asking for money. That pressure can manifest in hesitation, overthinking, and—let’s be honest—a lot of “what ifs” with things that almost never happen. Today, we’ll cover six common fear-based mistakes that fundraisers in the arts tend to make. Bob will also suggest some mindset shifts and practical alternatives to help y...

In the past decade, the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera has journeyed from near-insolvency to a sustainable fiscal and artistic future. Bob Swaney interviews the SP&O’s CEO, Giuliano Kornberg, along with Giuliano's longtime mentor, Paul Hogle, President & CEO of the Cleveland Institute of Music, to discuss the details of the incredible organizational success story, with a hint of w...

In an earlier episode a few weeks ago, Bob shared a few of his favorite quotes. We all like funny, smart, creative sayings, the kind that remind us to be our best, do our best, and forge onward. But like with all things, there’s another side to this coin, and we frequently hear quotes that are limiting and, yes, irritating. This episode will highlight a few of those less-favored sayings—the ones w...

When developing the fundraising message, how do YOU promote your arts organization? What words do you use? What stories do you tell? Many staff, board, and artists have a tough time answering. Let’s touch on how to get better at telling your organizational story and selling it, too. At RSC Associates, we help clients build their messages balanced on Facts, Finances, and Feelings. The first two – f...

In this episode, we're tackling a topic that every fundraiser has faced at some point: excuses for not making a  major  philanthropic gift. We’ll review the top ten reasons we often hear and, more importantly, what arts organizations can do to be more persuasive. We’re also going to get honest about what those reasons might  truly  indicate yet remain unspoken by your donors. 

RSC’s fundraising coaching approach is geared toward time-tested best practices and fundamentals that arts and cultural organizations can rely on to grow their fundraising programs. However, we must always adapt best practices to present-day realities. This installment features RSC's CEO, Catherine Heitz New, who joins Bob Swaney in a lively discussion about adapting the fundamentals to a chan...

In recent years, there’s been a shift towards what I like to call the "power of  sharing  stories." This approach goes beyond just telling a story; it's about fostering  meaningful   conversations and genuine connections between donors and our beloved arts organizations. It’s what the true meaning of the word “inclusive” should be in a philanthropic environment.