INQUIRE: Industry Experts Talk Fundraising in Uncertain Times
We asked four industry experts about how they are engaging donors and sponsors during this unpredictable period of flux
MPMG ASKED:
Economic uncertainty is top-of-mind for most supporters of the arts. Given the world is in a state of constant change, how do you see donor and sponsorship engagement changing and what tactics are you employing to address these shifts?
Stash Bylicki (Executive Director, Chor Leoni)
As artists, we are trying to make an impact on the world through our art form. Donor engagement, for me, is the process of showing someone how they can make a meaningful impact through your organization. In that sense, engagement has not changed. In fact, in challenging times, arts organizations have more to offer. With Chor Leoni, we are a literal example of what happens when people come together to create harmony. I think people see that, and we’ve doubled down on this messaging.
What has changed is Arts Organizations’ needs in an increasingly constrained environment. It’s becoming more difficult to stand out in the milieu of organizations expressing their needs. While I admit it’s difficult, we’ve opted for a path of authenticity, trying to tell our story and express our impact in a way that speaks to our local community. For us, that means better storytelling, more individual outreach, and more segmentation to ensure the right stories get to the right people.
Allison Andrachuk (Director + CEO, Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art)
Economic uncertainty has definitely made donors and corporate partners feel stretched, and we’ve responded by focusing on deepening existing relationships while also working to build new ones. For long-time supporters, we keep those personal, one-on-one conversations going, while for younger audiences we’re connecting through digital platforms and video content. Slowing donations in these uncertain times means our engagement efforts need to increase. Our small team can’t do it all, so our Board has been stepping in to help share the Gallery’s needs with more people.
We’ve also been very upfront about the pressures facing the arts right now, asking supporters to imagine what would be lost if the Gallery didn’t exist. That honesty helps people see why their support really matters. And we’re putting extra effort into our corporate and foundation partners, inviting them into the Gallery so they can experience the impact of their contributions firsthand. We’re hoping that by maintaining strong relationships we’ll keep supporters connected to the Gallery as we all navigate current economic challenges.
Jeff Sodowsky (Vice President Pacific & Senior Consultant with Global Philanthropic Canada)
Donor engagement begins long before a gift is needed—because donations are, at their core, about relationships. When cultural and performing arts organizations segment and personalize their efforts, donors feel seen, known, and valued. Segmentation based on the full spectrum of a donor’s connections—attendance, volunteerism, artistic interests, friendships, or community ties, not just gift amount—deepens the bond and builds trust. Fostering a true culture of philanthropy, where donors are meaningfully connected to artists, volunteers, administrators, fellow supporters, and audiences, reinforces that they are part of the organization’s creative ecosystem. Within an organization’s actual capacity, thoughtfully tailored interactions and communications nurture relationships rather than transactions; donors are not walking ATMs, and people give to what they feel close to. Make memories. People remember how you made them feel. The onus is on the organization to create distinctive moments of access, appreciation, and exchange that honour the generosity making artistic work possible—experiences many enjoy, but these supporters can genuinely cherish.
Esther Rausenberg (Artistic Director, Eastside Arts Society)
Economic uncertainty has changed how donors engage with the arts, though fundraising has
always been challenging. Rising costs have made donors more selective and increasingly values-driven. We are seeing fewer purely aspirational gifts and greater scrutiny around impact,
relevance, and long-term sustainability.
This shift is particularly striking given how deeply the arts were valued during the height of the pandemic, when connection, creativity, and shared cultural experiences were widely recognized as essential rather than optional. That urgency has faded, and the arts are once again too often framed as a “nice to have” instead of a societal necessity.
The disconnect is clear. Canada’s cultural industries contribute approximately $73 billion annually to GDP—more than the oil and gas sector at $71 billion—yet public and political narratives continue to undervalue the sector. The arts community must consistently and confidently articulate both its economic and social impact.
In response, EAS’s donor engagement strategies are evolving. We are placing greater emphasis on communicating value by pairing hard data with compelling stories that show how the arts transform lives, foster social connection, build empathy, and strengthen community well-being. Philanthropy plays a critical role in ensuring access—keeping museums free, tickets affordable, and programs inclusive.
By sharpening our advocacy and demonstrating relevance beyond moments of crisis, EAS is working to reframe the arts as essential to who we are and how we thrive, even in uncertain economic times.