Operating Support Grant - Renewal

We will finalize a fundraising case statement to share with prospective donors and to incorporate into ongoing donor cultivation efforts. We will determine fundraising targets, including goals for major donor fundraising, and strategies for growing our major donor list. Our plan will address retention and increasing support by migrating current donors to higher levels. We will pursue opportunities for additional grants to help diversify our revenue. We hope to pilot a few fully subsidized artist residencies, and to offer some childcare support for parent artists. Measures of success will include: increased contributed income; continued diversified programming; advances in engaging board and Ely stakeholders in developing organizational visibility and local engagement; and evidence of expanded relationships with our constituencies, especially major donors. By year-end, we will have completed a comprehensive and manageable fundraising plan with targets and budget impact expectations. We will monitor growth in the number of individual donors and contributions received. Our tracking will include donors who increase their giving (number and dollar amount), major donor growth (number and dollar amount), and average contribution. We will track new and renewing donors each year to monitor our effectiveness in growing our base of contributors and donor retention. Among our staff and board, we will discuss the success of specific strategies and adjust our approach as needed. Leadership and the board will assess the impact of the fundraising effort on our budget and in terms of supporting goals for more subsidized artist residencies, fully supporting staff positions, and advancing our equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts, including the annual Ambassador’s Week and subsequent programming. Over the long term, we will assess the effectiveness of these efforts in creating a more durable and sustainable organization that supports the mission and vision of Tofte Lake Center.