Beyond Grants

Fundraising

Fundraising is a great way for LCCs to add to their grant pool or support Council Programs. Whether your LCC aims to support more local projects through LCC Program grants, or initiating your own project, the following information can help you to start and manage a fundraising project.

Managing Fundraised Dollars

Some fundraising activities may need seed money to get up and running. There are some resources immediately available to the LCC to help: for example, LCCs may use the interest earned on their account for fundraising purposes. They can also use funds from the allowable five percent of their annual allocation that LCCs may use for administrative purposes. This amount could be put towards fundraising expenses such as postage, printing, phone bills, or maintaining a website.

Following any fundraiser, LCCs will need to track the new funds in their account. Since LCCs are considered government agencies, all monies – including fundraised monies – must be deposited and maintained in the LCC revolving municipal account that is designated for the LCC. Donated and earned monies should be tracked by the LCC treasurer or chair so the LCC knows the ongoing total of both locally raised funds and state funds. The ledger template is a helpful tool for this process. As stated in the LCC Program guidelines, the funds may be accessed only through the process used by the municipality’s treasurer and/or accountant’s office for the expenditure of public funds. Separate checkbooks or non-municipal accounts are not permissible.

LCCs can use locally raised funds (including interest earned) for purposes related to the arts, humanities, or sciences, however, they do not have to have Mass Cultural Council approval to spend money they have raised. LCCs may save their fundraised money to put towards a large-scale project. If this is the case, the LCC should communicate to the town its intentions to set aside funds for a future goal. Locally raised revenue must be reported in the Annual Report to Mass Cultural Council.

Getting Started

To be successful fundraisers, LCCs should have clear goals, a solid plan, strong relationships, compelling storytelling, and effective communication. Fundraising is all about building relationships and showing people the value of the LCC in the community. Successful fundraisers not only raise funds but also strengthen and engage the community, creating long-lasting support. LCCs should note that all contributions made to LCCs are tax-deductible under Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

In case a donor requires additional information about the LCC’s status it may be helpful to provide them the LCC Fundraising Statute, Regulations, and Code. If a donor needs proof of the LCC’s connection to the municipality, the LCC can ask its city or town to provide a letter. Different cities and towns may have different policies on providing such documentation, so be prepared to be flexible and work with the municipality to achieve the LCC’s goals.

A good way to start is by putting together a simple fundraising plan. The plan should include:

An outline of the project
A project timeline
The amount of money the LCC wants to raise overall
Who will be responsible for each task
A publicity plan

Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you plan:

Fully define the purpose of the fundraising.
Clearly identify that the fundraiser will support the LCC and why that work is important.
Decide on a fundraising target goal and what success looks like (i.e., the amount of money to be raised, or specific project milestones). Make this goal achievable.
Identify potential supporters/donors: Understanding what they have supported in the past or if they are supporters of arts and culture will help in crafting the message.
Develop a compelling story that explains the cause and why it matters, using real-life examples or testimonials from those who will benefit.
Sometimes it helps to craft a catchy phrase or a tagline to draw attention.
Decide where to reach your audience, whether through email, social media, or local events. Use platforms that best align with your audience’s preferences.
Make it easy for people to donate by setting up a user-friendly online donation page. Popular options include GoFundMe or JustGiving, that would connect with your municipal account. (Ask your municipality what the best way would be to receive funds.)
Plan ways to thank donors from the beginning, whether through thank-you notes, personalized messages, or future acknowledgments to help retain their support.

Remember to share the work across the entire LCC membership. You could also collaborate with other groups or neighboring LCCs on a fundraising activity. Collaboration allows the LCC to cast a wider net, and increases the chances of raising money. Plus more volunteers means more help with various tasks.

Be persistent and don’t be discouraged. First attempts at selling tickets or soliciting donations may not be as lucrative as anticipated. It often takes time to build a successful fundraising event or activity.

Reflect on the results. Ask for feedback from LCC and other community members to evaluate the project. Use analytics to monitor how well the campaign performs, this way you can adjust strategies as needed. Consider these questions:

- Was the activity well-publicized and presented?
- Was the timing effective?
- Did the LCC stay within the budget?
- Did the LCC meet its participation and fundraising goals?
- Was enough money raised to make the event worthwhile?
- Overall, was it successful and should it be repeated?
- Are there other fundraising strategies that might be more effective?

Who to Approach

Fundraising is about building relationships. LCCs should think about their constituents and their community, and develop a plan on who to approach for support.

Individuals: Individuals are an important group to engage in fundraising efforts. LCCs should think about those who already know about and support the LCC’s work in the community. These individuals will make up the base of the support group.

Municipalities: Many LCCs find that asking their town or city for money is a successful fundraising approach. LCCs interested in requesting municipal funding should read through the Municipal section of the website and provide their local officials with the Municipal Guide to Managing Local Cultural Council Funds. Many LCCs have been successful in receiving funding by way of a yearly line item on the municipalities’ budget that either matches their state allocation or a portion of it.

Businesses: Businesses are another important group to consider when fundraising. Larger corporations may have grant opportunities available for the LCC to apply to, while local businesses may give donations or sponsor a specific event that the LCC is putting on. It is important to be informed about what types of projects and organizations they fund and whether they have specific application forms and guidelines. Keep in mind that some companies may prefer to donate to a specific project rather than a pool of funds to be regranted. Additionally, some companies may only make donations to organizations with 501(c)3 status, so it is important to see if they will recognize that contributions made to LCCs are tax-deductible under Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code before spending a lot of time submitting a request.

Foundations: Corporate, family, or community foundations will have grant opportunities available. Make sure the LCC is a good match for the foundation’s guidelines. When grant writing, be sure to clearly show a need, an idea for a solution, and data to support your case.

Types of Fundraising

There are as many ways to raise money as there are ways to spend it. Some common fundraising techniques include:

An annual appeal letter
Donation jar/tip jar at LCC funded events
Event-based fundraising – Gala dinners and auctions, Walk-a-Thons and Fun Runs, Charity Concerts or Performances (ticket sales)
Crowdfunding campaigns on platforms like GoFundMe or Kickstarter
Direct mail and email campaigns
Corporate sponsorships and partnerships
Planned giving and major gifts – These are contributions arranged in a donor’s will or estate plans, or large donations from individuals or foundations.
Approach local businesses/banks for donations (financial and/or in-kind goods/services)
Combine a raffle or silent auction with a pancake breakfast/spaghetti dinner
Merchandising

Most LCCs raise money through a cultural event rather than, for example, a bowl-a-thon, in order to remain consistent with their role as sponsor of local cultural activities. Less traditional audiences could be rewarding, though. An activity like a bowl-a-thon may reach a broader segment of the community, which could raise more money and reach a new audience for the LCC’s work. Keep in mind that fundraising has two benefits – money raised in the short term, and visibility over the long term.

Remember that it is possible to fundraise, and many LCCs do so successfully. Raising money can be hard work, but providing a Council Program or creating the capacity to fund more applicants is worth the effort.

Fundraising Success Stories

Here’s how LCCs have implemented many of these types of fundraising:

Dennis Arts and Culture Council: Letter Campaign
The Dennis Cultural Council found that a simple letter writing campaign was very profitable compared to the amount of time and energy that went into it. On a bi-annual basis, the LCC sent out a donation letter. They started their mailing list by having each member come up with 10 names and/or businesses they felt were interested in arts and culture, and went on to include a list of the town’s registered voters. The LCC added personal touches and convenience measures, such as hand-signing the letters and including a stamped return envelope with the solicitation. All donations are acknowledged with a handwritten thank-you note containing a Dennis Arts and Culture Council sticker, and the names of donors were listed on the LCC’s web site.

Wellfleet Cultural Council: Municipal Funding
For many years, the Wellfleet Cultural Council received support through the town budget. The LCC approached the town by sending a letter to the Town Administrator requesting an allocation. LCC members then attended a board of selectmen meeting where they gave an overview of the grants funded through the LCC Program and the various citizens and organizations involved in each. By emphasizing that their request of $2,000 was rather small when compared to the whole town budget, and that the funds have widespread impact across the community, the LCC was successful in securing municipal support. The LCC used the municipal funding to augment the amount available for granting each year.

Medford and Harwich Local Cultural Councils: Raffles,* Auctions & Events
To increase visibility and raise funds through a new avenue, the Medford Arts Council held an event at Flatbread Pizza to take advantage of the restaurant’s fundraising program that donates a percentage of proceeds from pizza sales to area nonprofits and public organizations. In addition, they had a silent auction with donated artwork and prizes from local business, as well as a raffle. The LCC raised over $1,300, and was able to promote itself to a broader segment of the community.

In Harwich, the LCC organized a jazz concert at a local venue and tied in a silent auction. Patrons purchased tickets to the concert, and were then able to bid on the 15 items up for auction. The LCC chose the Wychmere Beach Club as a venue, which had recently reopened following renovations and added to the appeal of the event. They solicited a number of donations from area business and member connections, and paired up certain items to increase the base value. They sold over 200 tickets and raised more than $5,700 with the event and auction.

*If the LCC is interested in holding a raffle, be sure to check with the city/town solicitor ahead of time in order to abide by state gaming laws.

Westborough Cultural Council: Festivals
The Westborough Cultural Council has had great success promoting the LCCs and fundraising through its event “Arts in Common”. The LCC has sponsored the event for more than three years, which features musical performances, arts and craft vendors, craft demonstrations, children’s activities, food booths, and a silent auction with over 75 items. The LCC begins planning far in advance, and is quite active for four to six months preceding the event. They find that this has not only generated funds, but helps build community and gives local artists a chance to showcase their talents.

Southwick Cultural Council and West Springfield Arts Council: Alternative Approaches
Southwick Cultural Council created a fundraiser out of the town’s efforts to renovate the town hall stage by selling “inches” of the stage and providing deeds to all who bought an inch or more. Following the sale, a plaque was installed with the names of the contributors. The LCC found that not only did this raise money, but it raised the profile of the LCC, as well as community support for the renovation.

West Springfield Arts Council created a partnership with the local technical school as part of their fundraiser. Carpentry students crafted 30 birdhouses, which were on display for a month at the library and then sold for $50 apiece. The LCC has sold all of the houses each year they’ve done the fundraiser, which translates to a quick profit of $1,500, while providing local students with the chance to show off their skills.

…And don’t forget, fundraising can always be as simple as a donation jar. One LCC reported making over $300 by placing a jar at the refreshment table during an art show!

On the blog: LCCs Share How They’ve Gone After Municipal Monies

Tips from LCC Members

Communicate with possible partners/collaborators in town.
Have a sense of humor!
Remember that people are busy. Simple fundraisers like letter campaigns can have a great return without requiring the same time and energy as an event.
Consider all sources when fundraising.
Make sure your support to the community is visible through press and word of mouth.
Engage support from others who want to contribute to the community.
Work hard to be visible.
Plan carefully and prepare for unforeseen problems.
Make sure each LCC member steps up to take responsibility – fundraising is an all or nothing venture.
Don’t be afraid to approach larger institutions for donations or raffle/auction items.
Try not to pay for advertising, and price your events so that families can attend.
Patience is key with planning and execution.
Fundraising takes more time that you expect. Be sure to ‘test’ your idea on a few people to work out issues/questions before approaching the general public.
The more exposure you have, the better you’ll do.
Make sure you have the people power to successfully manage your chosen fundraising strategy.

Resources

Opportunities & Resources for Organizations – A monthly round-up of grants, technical assistance resources, and opportunities for creative and cultural organizations.
Useful Links – A starting place for discovering some of the funding opportunities, services, and resources available to support the dynamic work of organizations.