Forming Lifelong Relationships between Producing Theaters and Their Donors

Abstract

Nonprofit organizations build their relationships with individual donors on shared values, trust, and mutual benefits. Donor relations are the tools used to cultivate these relationships and move donors to major donor status. Major donors are essential because they provide the organization with its most enthusiastic and loyal support. This research specifically explores how large producing theaters in Philadelphia use donor relations to form long-term, committed relationships with their donors. Producing theaters in Philadelphia are successfully fostering these relationships by deliberately crafting opportunities for their donors to engage with their mission and become more deeply involved in the art. They utilize their artists and leadership staff to form personal connections with their donors. Their communications with donors are transparent about the impact of their giving on the art. Producing theaters in Philadelphia are focused on donor engagement and are developing long-term, committed major donors.%%%%M.S., Arts Administration – Drexel University, 2015