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Fundraising Guide: Local Institutions

Local Institutions: Museums, Zoos, Aquariums, and the Arts

Fundraising for local institutions, such as museums, zoos, aquariums, libraries, theaters, symphonies, and ballets comes with unique opportunities. Auction items and giving campaigns can be tailored, benefactors are often long-standing, they can serve as their own event space, and institution communities enjoy their services while simultaneously supporting them.

fundraising guide for local institutions

This fundraising guide aims to help local institutions enhance their fundraising campaigns for an even more integrated donor-giving experience.  The guide is completely free, just like all content on givesmart.com.  We’ll never charge you for fundraising resources, or share your information with third parties.  Our goal is to see nonprofits succeed, and foster a creative, collaborative and successful community of nonprofit fundraising developers.  If we can help you with fundraising software solutions for your events and campaigns, so much the better.

Inside this fundraising guide you’ll find:

  • Creative ways to secure funding and maintain donor relationships
  • Fostering your mission-driven community all year round
  • Examples of successful campaigns by your peers from symphonies and ballets
  • A timeline to help you plan ahead and stay on track of your next campaign

Here’s a sneak preview of what’s inside.

Creative ways to secure funding and maintain donor relationships

Has your nonprofit solved the riddle of recurring giving?  The benefits can be immense for your organization.  Did you know that the average recurring donor will give 42% more in one year than those who give one time gifts? See how you can implement recurring giving simply and effectively, and maintain donor relationships that have a greater impact for your organization.

recurring giving software for nonprofits

Have questions, or need help setting up a recurring giving platform?  Feel free to schedule a free demo of GiveSmart’s recurring giving solutions.  We make it easier to reach your goals.

Fostering your mission-driven community all year round

You know that it’s important to stay in contact with your donation partners all year round, but which methods are most effective?  How often should you call, text and email, and what are some best practices to keep in mind when you do?  We’ve prepared resources to help you get the most from every touch point.

communicating with donors year round

In addition to reaching out by text and email, we’re always encouraged by the donor engagement events, both online and offline, that our nonprofit partners put together.

Some of the events that we’ve seen include:

  • Workshops
  • Community discussions
  • Mission-driven excursions

Examples of successful fundraising campaigns from fundraising peers

One of the best ways to get new ideas for your organization is to see how others are succeeding, even in challenging times.  Read examples of successful fundraising campaigns, and be inspired by what other local institutions have done to remain connected and relevant today.

fundraising success stories

Further Resources for Local Nonprofits

Planning fundraising campaigns requires hard work, organization, and extra time from your volunteers.  Let your passion drive you to pull off a successful campaign.  Don’t forget that you have fundraising resources within your community to help in event planning, budgeting, and marketing!  GiveSmart can help you with your campaign by managing your ticketing, registration, online auctions, mobile bidding, donations and payment processing.

Related Content:
Improving zoo fundraising with software
3 wild ways zoos fundraise
Museum fundraising guide
Connect online with donors today
Implementing recurring giving strategies