Donors don't give for the tax deduction. They don't give for prestige. They give because of how it makes them feel. Good about themselves. Good about being able to help a good cause. And the thank you, or the silence, confirms whether they made the right call. You...
Let me guess, you have dream project that you would love to make a reality—and it involves raising money. Maybe it’s a festival you're looking to launch. An album you want to record. An after school program you'd love to create. Or a new work your ensemble hopes to...
Here’s my embarrassing (and all too true) Fulbright application story . . . When I was a grad student at Stony Brook University (many moons ago), I wanted to take a year to study in Paris with the cellist Roland Pidoux because I was mad for his chamber music...
It's not every day that a grant funder announces a new program for musicians, so I'm excited to help spread the news. Chamber Music America actually has TWO new grant programs for musicians — maybe you? One is for jazz and the other for classical musicians....
Rachel wrote in a few weeks ago requesting a post on this topic (thanks, Rachel!). Here are solutions for the day job dilemma. It's an issue many people struggle with. To help, below are excerpts from my book Beyond Talent: Creating a Successful Career in Music — the...
I recently came an arts organization's terrific fundraising pitch. I really connected with it. That's rare. So let's consider this, Musicians — How well are you connecting with potential donors? Whenever I read, see, or hear something that excites me, I find I want to...
It's a question I hear pretty often: How can I raise more money? The answer in part is to learn how to improve your fundraising messages. Start by paying attention to the fundraising pitches that you receive. Notice what works, what's effective. Notice when the pitch...
Want Money? Ask for Advice! Asking for advice is a great way to cultivate your community of potential supporters. Think of the 10-15 people closest to you—mentors from back home, family friends, and extended family—people who have shown interest in you and your music...
Asking for money is a little like popping the question. You don't simply meet someone on the street and ask her or him to marry you. It works better if you first get to know each other, find you share interests, and over time you cultivate a genuine relationship—you...
Let's talk crowdfunding campaigns for musicians. Here's what works and 3 examples so you can rock your next fundraising project! At their best, crowdfunding campaigns allow fans to directly connect to the musicians they champion. Crowdfunding promotes a sense of...
