WE WANTED TO SHOW YOU THIS INSERT, hot off the press for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

This is a special note from a local music teacher endorsing the MSO’s innovative education program known as ACE (Arts in Community Education), which will be enclosed in a second ask appeal mailed to current donors next month.

More Revenue from Fewer Donors

Many, if not most, performing arts organizations around the country have not seen their donor bases grow for years, yet season after season they continue to generate more individual giving for the Annual Fund.

Much of this revenue growth is due to larger annual renewal gifts (through upgrading) and higher frequencies of giving. The arts have done an outstanding job of encouraging their donors to give more than once to the organization during a 12-month period.

These additional gifts come from add-on contributions made with subscription renewals and from second ask solicitations – by direct mail and telefunding – that usually occur in the spring and summer months.

Many arts organizations are now moving to third ask appeals, especially those with monthly renewal cycles where the two supplemental solicitations can be timed so as not to interfere with renewals.