Author: Alliance of New York State Arts Councils

Publication Year: 1982

Media Type: Report

Summary:

Abstract:

CONTENTS
Alliance Information.
Publications.
Public Action.
Resources.

Resource (Pamphlets):

1. Legalities:

In recent years, legislative bodies at all levels of government, governmental regulatory agencies, and in particular, the courts, have acted to clarify and define the degree of diligence expected of the trustees of charitable funds. This interest reflects the truly extraordinary position of private philanthropy in the country. The notion of charity has been with us ever since men first determined to come together in an organized fashion, and the idea that those who hold charitable funds have a special responsibility to society has an equally long pedigree. What is new is that philanthropy in the today controls assets in excess of $225 billion.

2. 504 and you.

The law says: ...Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 P. L. 93-112: Congress enacted legislation in 1973 that would eventually benefit all disabled citizens. The Rehabilitation Act contained a part called Section 504. Its single sentence stated: No otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the shall, solely by reason of his handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

3. Documentation:

Documentation is decisive evidence or information and consists of supporting references or records. Good documentation, dependent on good record-keeping, helps you run an office more efficiently, plan better programs with fewer difficulties and raise money.

4. Functional budgeting and reporting -- a practicum:

Functional/ adj.
     1a. One of, connected with or being a function.
     1b. Affecting physiological or psychological functions but not organic
          structure.
     2.  Used to contribute to the development of or maintenance of a
          larger whole and practical school courses, also, designed or
          developed chiefly from the point of view of use - clothing.
     3.  Performing or able to perform a regular function.
     4.  Placing related functions (as in industry) under the direction of a
          specialist.

Budget/n.
     1.   Leather pouch, wallet or pack; also, its contents. 
     2.   Stock, supply.
     3a. A statement of the financial position of an administration for a
           definite period of time based on estimates of expenditures during
           the period and proposals for financing them.
     3b. A plan for the coordination of resources and expenditures.
     3c. The amount of money that is available for, required for, or
           assigned to a particular purpose.

5. Resourceful resources...organizations and publications:

Information for and about arts councils and non-profit organizations comes in various shapes and sizes. Believe it or not, these resources are constantly updating - adding new programs, raising prices of publications, and moving from one space to another.

In an effort to assist you in your search for new information and services during 1982, the Alliance of New York State Arts Councils has compiled information on some resourceful organizations and publications for your use.

6. Blockbooking basics:

Basically blockbooking is a cooperative effort between specific presentors in specific geographical areas within specific time frames to present specific artists. The impossible dream? Perhaps.

Blockbooking is, in some cases, a way to reduce the fees to present an artist, symphony, dance troupe, or brass trio. It is also a way to share with other presentors some basic responsibilities in presenting a performance.

In an effort to assist the presentors who wish to blockbook, The Alliance has compiled information about Blockbooking in this pamphlet. It is not meant to be The Guide to Blockbooking but rather some of the basics involved with blockbooking if you are a presenting Arts Council.

7. Looking good - a practicum:

These days, how you say something - the way you say it and look when you're saying it - is at least as important, or often more important, than the actual words of your message.

This is especially true of the written word, when the look of it and its placement on a page can make all the difference in the world to the reader and, ultimately, to whether you get your message across.

That old saw about how you can't judge a book by its cover is less and less true these days when the look - the image - is everything. Just ask Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren.

8. Board member not bored member:

It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. (Ralph Waldo Emerson.) Millions of Americans are volunteering their time, talents, and energies serving on Boards of Directors of not-for-profit organizations. This dedication to voluntarism is one of the proudest heritages of these . Before the federal, state and local programs providing help to the elderly, sick and needy, Boards of concerned men and women were providing these services. Not-for-profit organizations continue to fill community needs and supplement existing federal programs in all areas of the arts, social welfare and health, as well as religion.

9. Resourceful Resources...organizations and publications, 1983:

Information for and about arts councils and not-for-profit organizations comes in various shapes and sizes. These resources are constantly updating, adding new programs and services, raising prices of publications and moving from one space to another.

In an effort to assist you in your search for new information and services during 1983, The Alliance of New York State Arts Councils, Inc. has compiled information on some resourceful organizations and publications for your use.

10. Small business - an overlooked resource:

Private sector support has never been more important to arts organizations than it is today. Reduced government funding has promoted the arts community to fill mailboxes with appeals, innundate corporations with proposals, and make the special event - auction, gala, raffle, walkathon, etc. routine.

Amid greatly expanded fundraising efforts, a potentially important revenue source is often overlooked; small business. Locally owned and operated enterprises, from hardware stores to realtors to movie theatres, have been lost in the rush to besiege the Fortune 500. Arts administrators pore over guides to corporate giving and attend endless conferences to make contacts and refine technique.

Few study the Yellow Pages, or attend local service club luncheons.

11. The Anatomy of a fundraiser:

Most of us in arts management, whether as a staff or board member, have to face the necessity of developing and succeeding at the presentation of fundraising events. Those are the incredible, visible, high tension leaps to solvency or bankruptcy that go with the territory of being a not-for-profit arts organization. In this pamphlet we are going to attempt to dissect and de-mystify the fundraiser/event process so that before we ever embark on our leaps we know exactly why we are fundraising, what we are aiming for, how we are going to do it, and whether or not we should stay in bed and skip the whole thing.

12. The Anatomy of a grant:

Not-for-profit arts organizations are funded in a number of ways, but characteristically, the mainstay is the grant - an award of money from an external source. Without grants, which come from many different sources, including public agencies, foundations, corporations and individuals with means, agencies often face decline and disarray. These grants are applied for and awarded to many different organizations for many different purposes. Unfortunately, there is no science of grantsmanship - fortunately, there is common sense.

13. An office systems primer:

To resurrect an old saw, time is money. Practical people equate time saved with money saved. Whether done consciously or subconsciously, in an honest effort to simplify their lives or to present an efficient image, people devise systems. A system is an organized or established procedure by which one brings order out of confusion; a method of classifying; a harmonious arrangement or pattern.

14. The funding package:

Fundraising is critical to the survival of a not-for-profit arts organization and is likely to be for some time to come. Well managed organizations need solid, well thought out plans for fundraising, clarity about needs and purpose, an internal analysis of what the organization has to work with, and a vivid awareness of potential donor groups and what those donor groups might support. Techniques of fundraising, from special events to direct mail to major capital campaigns to charitable trusts only make sense when they are placed in a context of needs - resources - potential.

 

 

 

 

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Organizational Planning, Fundraising