100 ideas for better arts fundraising

Arts fundraising has a special challenge that other fundraisers don’t face: When you donate to the arts, you don’t save lives; you arguably don’t even do something especially necessary.

Don’t get me wrong: I know the arts are necessary for a meaningful and civilized life. And they do help people in meaningful ways.

But the main reason most people donate is not to help other people. They do it to help themselves. They want to make sure the art form they love stays available. Many are also motivated by donor benefits that enhance their experience with the art. Helping others is a happy side-benefit for most donors.

So typical help-other-people fundraising, while not irrelevant, tends to miss the main motivator for most arts donors.

Almost all arts donors are arts buyers first. People who appreciate the art and want it to stay available — first for their own quality of life, and then for the other good things it does. And they’re willing to pay for it. They know you — and you know them — because they want your art in their lives!

So here’s the thing: If you want people to donate to the arts, you need to remind them how meaningful it is for them. Just telling them your artists are superb and the art is important … that’s not why they give. They give because they know what it means to them — and, secondarily, what it means to other people.

That’s why I want to point out an amazing resource from Culture for Hire: It’s a powerful ebook titled 100 Customer-Centric Marketing Prompts (available for download, costs $19).

It looks at the arts from the point of view of the customer (who may also be your donor). It’s not about how great the art is, but what it does for real people.

Two examples:

41. It’s easy to feel isolated when so much of life is lived online. Step away from the screen and reconnect with your community through the power of live art.

66. Art doesn’t just entertain — it transforms. 🎨 Studies show that engaging with the arts can reduce cortisol levels, lower stress, and improve overall mental well-being. 🌿 Join us for an event that offers more than just a fun night out; it offers a solution to stress, anxiety, and burnout. 🌱

See the difference? This isn’t bragging about the artists. It’s telling people what the art can do for them. How it adds to and improves their lives.

If you want to sell tickets or get people to donate, this is how you do it!