Studying Early Pandemic Data
While travel restrictions and social distancing requirements prevented people from attending events, the COVID-19 pandemic halted—for a time—programming, performances, and exhibitions throughout the arts and cultural sector. Now, two years after doors closed across the nation, we have the data that reveals how this large-scale shift impacted revenue streams during a year that no one anticipated.
THREE-PART SERIES
Did Giving Sustain the Arts?
In this data brief, Daniel Fonner examines how unrestricted giving helped organizations sustain themselves early in the pandemic, and explores the unique experiences of small and BIPOC-focused organizations compared to large organizations.
Which Funding Sources Stepped Up for the Arts?
The unprecedented impact of COVID-19 raised countless questions about the future of the arts, but contributed revenue remained stalwart as doors closed and programs were canceled indefinitely. In the early months of the pandemic, government support came to the aid of organizations and their workforces across the nation. But does the data show inequities?
Less Fundraising Expenses Led to Higher Returns for Arts and Cultural Organizations
In the final part of a three-part exploration of fundraising outcomes for the nonprofit arts and cultural sector, Daniel Fonner examines the interplay between contributed revenue and fundraising expenses finding that the average return on investment for each dollar spent on fundraising in 2020 was $7.35, an increase from $6.22 in 2019.
Moreover, organizations whose missions are rooted in a particular racial or cultural voice led this high performance, earning almost a dollar more in returns compared to their non-BIPOC counterparts.
Zenetta Drew
Executive Director, Dallas Black Dance Theatre
“Philanthropy is impacted most by the positive, opportunity-motivated mindset of nonprofits with forward-thinking leadership and a vision that is adaptable toward the future.”