Bowers Museum: Marketing and Fundraising Under One Roof
The role
At the Bowers Museum I held external affairs: marketing and fundraising together.
Why it mattered
In most museums, marketing fills the galleries and development raises the money, and the two teams rarely share a plan. Putting both under one leader meant one calendar, one audience view, and one set of numbers.
What happened
The numbers moved because the system did, not because we posted more often. Average daily attendance rose 40% in three months. Marketing returned 250% on spend. Private funding from memberships and donations rose 50%.
What it means for your organization
If your marketing and development teams report separately, start there. Most "we need more visibility" problems are really "our two revenue teams aren't talking" problems.
Related
- How I work with nonprofits: nonprofit marketing and fundraising consulting
- Marketing and development for museums and performing arts
- Next case: Texas Ballet Theater: rebuilding the subscription renewal
Book 20 free minutes. I'll tell you where your renewals and donors are leaking and what I'd change. No pitch.