Fundraising

Articles

Going Viral: The Power of Video to Raise Your Chorus's Profile

Going Viral: The Power of Video to Raise Your Chorus's Profile

Kelsey Menehan | Audiences, Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Fundraising, General, Impact/Value, Innovation, Marketing/Public Relations, Singing, Social Media, Technique/Tool, Technology

Plug the words “choir videos” into your search engine and you’ll get an astounding number of links (Google found 112,000,000. Yes, million.) Is your chorus among them? It could be—and more easily than you may think. Chorus America asked several choruses to tell us how they are making video a key part of their marketing strategy. Read more

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Hope and Hard Work: Government Support of the Arts in the U.S.

Hope and Hard Work: Government Support of the Arts in the U.S.

Ann Meier Baker | Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Fundraising, General, Government/Policy, History, Impact/Value, Research/Data

During campaign season, "government support" comes up often as a discussion topic. As the U.S. approaches its November election, it feels like an appropriate time to remind ourselves about how government support applies to the arts. Here are some thoughts from Chorus America to get you started. Read more

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10 Tips for Engaging Your Board

10 Tips for Engaging Your Board

Don Lee | Fundraising, Governance, Management/Leadership, Operations

It's really the staff's job to position the board to do their best work―and most of that boils down to excellent communication and clarity of expectations. Read more

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Give and Get...Gone?

Give and Get...Gone?

Matthew Sigman | Fundraising, Governance, Volunteer

Assembling the ideal board is less about fundraising prowess and more about about balancing the right skills. Read more

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Leading the Development Committee

Leading the Development Committee

Catherine Dehoney | Fundraising, Governance, Technique/Tool

Have you been asked to serve as the chair of development committee? Here's what you need to know to tackle this important job and ensure the future of your chorus. Read more

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Should Board Members Be Required to Give Money?

Should Board Members Be Required to Give Money?

Matthew Sigman | Finance, Fundraising, Governance, Participation

Assembling the ideal board is less about fundraising prowess and more about about balancing the right components. Read more

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Never Ask for Money!

Never Ask for Money!

Four Steps To Greater Fundraising Success

Kelly Ruggirello | Fundraising, Governance, Management/Leadership, Recruitment

A values-based strategy that aims to match donors with ways that they can give back to their communities—and removes the ego factor that can make fundraising scary. Read more

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Acknowledging Donors

Acknowledging Donors

Saying Thank You Is Just the Beginning

Catherine Dehoney | Fundraising, Governance, Technique/Tool

We all know that thanking our donors is more than good manners—it is a critical part of the donor relations process. But it is just the beginning of a longer- term effort to engage donors more deeply in our organizations. Read more

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Back from the Brink

Back from the Brink

How One Chorus Grappled with the Perfect Storm of Bad Economic Circumstances

Eric Holtan | Audiences, Finance, Fundraising, Governance

All of us in the arts feel the pinch in a recession. Here is the story of how the Tucson Chamber Artists weathered the storm of economic bad news during one year, employing adaptive strategies throughout the season to overcome them. Read more

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Harness More Fundraising Power with Volunteers

Harness More Fundraising Power with Volunteers

Derrick Feldmann | Fundraising, Governance, Networking, Recruitment, Volunteer

Engage, equip, and empower volunteers to help your chorus reach its fullest fundraising potential. Read more

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Resources

Chorus Operations Survey Report (2012)

Chorus Operations Survey Report (2012)

Roland Kushner | Evaluation, Finance, Fundraising, Governance, Management/Leadership, Marketing/Public Relations, Operations, Research/Data, Technique/Tool

Chorus America's annual survey of the operations of choruses, the Chorus Operations Survey Report includes more than 40 different analyses, from number of board meetings to board giving, from ticket pricing to chorus dues amounts, from accompanist pay practices to marketing efficiency. The 2012 report features data from the 2010-2011 season. Read more

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Chorus Operations Survey Report (2011)

Chorus Operations Survey Report (2011)

Roland Kushner | Evaluation, Finance, Fundraising, Governance, Management/Leadership, Marketing/Public Relations, Operations, Research/Data, Technique/Tool

Chorus America's annual survey of the operations of choruses, the Operations Survey Report includes more than 40 different analyses, from number of board meetings to board giving, from ticket pricing to chorus dues amounts, from accompanist pay practices to marketing efficiency. The 2011 report features data from the 2009-2010 season. Read more

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Fundraising Plan Outline

Fundraising Plan Outline

Chorus America Staff | Finance, Fundraising, Operations, Sample/Template

The most effective choruses plan out their annual fundraising; use this outline as a starting place. Read more

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Individual Board Member Responsibilities

Individual Board Member Responsibilities

Chorus America Staff | Fundraising, Governance, Sample/Template

When recruiting new board members and engaging existing board members, it is vital to provide a clear list of individual responsibilities. Use this template as a starting place. Read more

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Grantwriting: Crafting an Effective Case Statement

Grantwriting: Crafting an Effective Case Statement

Chorus America Staff | Community Outreach, Fundraising, Impact/Value, Sample/Template

Writing grant proposals or even a simple appeal letter is always a challenge. These sample paragraphs may help you as you are trying to "make the case" for your chorus. Read more

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Fundraising from Individuals Webinar

Fundraising from Individuals Webinar

Chorus America Staff | Fundraising, Governance, Research/Data, Technique/Tool

Chorus America presents data on the current state of philanthropy and provides guidance on building a strong individual donor base. (PowerPoint slides available separately.) Read more

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Fundraising from Individuals

Fundraising from Individuals

Chorus America Staff | Fundraising, Governance, Research/Data, Technique/Tool

Slides from Chorus America's webinar on ways to build your individual donor base. (Webinar available separately.) Read more

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Fundraising: Getting To and Making the Ask

Fundraising: Getting To and Making the Ask

Chorus America Staff | Fundraising, Technique/Tool

Paul Hogle, Executive Vice President of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, addresses strategies to successfully cultivate individual donors in this PowerPoint presentation, originally given at the 2010 Conference. Read more

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Conference Keynote Speech: There Are No Crises

Conference Keynote Speech: There Are No Crises

Russell Willis ... | Audiences, Finance, Fundraising, Governance, Innovation, Management/Leadership

A speech by Russell Willis Taylor of National Arts Strategies that addresses ways to turn times of organizational and environmental crisis into growth and creative thinking opportunities. Delivered at the 2010 Conference. Read more

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Economic Impact Study (2009)

Economic Impact Study (2009)

Chorus America Staff | Finance, Fundraising, Innovation, Operations, Research/Data

Member choruses reported on the impact of the recession on their financial and organizational outlook in a brief survey conducted in 2009. Read more

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Events

SA Choral Society presents Beyond the Horizon: Music of the 20th and 21st Century

SA Choral Society presents Beyond the Horizon: Music of the 20th and 21st Century

230 E. Travis Street, San Antonio, TX 78205

Gustavo Rios Jr | Adults/Seniors, Children/Youth, Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Conducting, Diversity, Education, Families, Fundraising, Participation, Performance, Singing, Volunteer

  Season finalé featuring music of the 20th and 21st century.   Read more

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A-Tisket, A-Tasket, Help Us Fill Our Basket! Pro Coro Alexandria Spring Concert and ACS Fundraising Event

A-Tisket, A-Tasket, Help Us Fill Our Basket! Pro Coro Alexandria Spring Concert and ACS Fundraising Event

Alexandria, VA

Alexandria Chor... | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Children/Youth, Community Outreach, Families, Fundraising, General, Performance, Singing

Join us in celebrating the arrival of spring with songs of love, beauty, and the springtime, performed by Pro Coro Alexandria, the chamber choir comprised of select members from Alexandria Choral Society. In between sets, you'll have a chance to mingle with singers and patrons alike while you enjoy refreshments and peruse the offerings of our fundraiser raffle.  Read more

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Heritage Presents: 13th Annual Concert Sing On!

Heritage Presents: 13th Annual Concert Sing On!

4101 Nebraska Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016

Miriam Dixon | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, CA News, Children/Youth, Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Diversity, Education, Families, Fundraising, General, Impact/Value, Innovation, Management/Leadership, Marketing/Public Relations, Networking, Participation, Performance, Professional, Recruitment, Schools, Singing, Social Media, Symphonic, Venue, Volunteer

We Preserve the Past. We Inspire the Community. We Sing On. Join Heritage Signature Chorale for our annual concert which promises to stir your soul. Tickets may be purchased at www.heritagesignaturechorale.org or by phone (202) 808-0583. Read more

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SA Choral Society presents POPS - On the Red Carpet: Hollywood Movie Classics

SA Choral Society presents POPS - On the Red Carpet: Hollywood Movie Classics

6070 Babcock, San Antonio, TX 78240

Gustavo Rios Jr | Adults/Seniors, Children/Youth, Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Conducting, Diversity, Education, Families, Fundraising, Participation, Performance, Singing

Season Pops Concert featuring “On the Red Carpet: Hollywood Movie Classics”. Come join us for an entertaining afternoon!  Read more

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Jazz in the Key of Joy

Jazz in the Key of Joy

Phoenix, Arizona

Carolyn Eynon | Fundraising

Vocal Jazz Cabaret Concert featuring solos and ensemble Jazz at the Phoenix Zoo on May 5, 2013. Wine and Hors D'eurves served at 4;00pm. contact www.carolyneynonsingers.com tickets $30 Read more

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SA Choral Society presents The Choral Works of Brahms

SA Choral Society presents The Choral Works of Brahms

205 James St., Boerne, TX 78006 & 227 W. Woodlawn Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212

Gustavo Rios Jr | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Civic Engagement, Community Outreach, Conducting, Diversity, Education, Families, Fundraising, Participation, Performance, Singing

This season we are proud to be a part of the 2013 Brahms Festival, sponsored by the San Antonio Symphony. Read more

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Sing For Their Supper Concert

Sing For Their Supper Concert

1000 Elm Street, Glenview, IL 60025

Sheryl1017 | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Community Outreach, Conducting, Families, Fundraising, General, Participation, Performance, Singing

A mid-winter concert to shake off the chill!  To benefit the Northfield Township Food Pantry.  Come enjoy solo voices performing music from the Sally Clonts Memorial Music Library, Bill Dawson playing bassoon, a vocal octet, two selections by the Chancel Choir, directed by Stephen Blackwelder - even a Sing Along Sound of Music! Read more

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BACHday Bash 2013

BACHday Bash 2013

Pittsburgh, PA

BriGuySinger | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Civic Engagement, Diversity, Fundraising, General, History, Impact/Value, Venue

We hope you can join us as the Bach Choir celebrates its 78th season with scrumptious food & superb libations, an exciting silent auction, and a grand new venue - the historically restored Mansions on Fifth Hotel. All proceeds will benefit the Choir as it continues to present unique and dramatic choral productions. Read more

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Columbia Pro Cantare Singathon

Columbia Pro Cantare Singathon

Columbia, MD

Columbia Pro Cantare | Fundraising

Columbia Pro Cantare will present its second annual Singathon on February 9, 2013 at The Mall in Columbia. A singathon is like a walkathon, except that the chorus will be singing, not walking, to raise money for the organization. Read more

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Season of Harmony Concert

Season of Harmony Concert

3812 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN

nashvillesingers | Adults/Seniors, Audiences, Awards, Children/Youth, Community Outreach, Conducting, Fundraising, General, Performance, Repertoire, Singing, Social Media, Venue, Volunteer

The Nashville Singers Present - The Season of Harmony Annual Fundraising Concert Draws Attendees from Far and Wide NASHVILLE, TN - Nashville Singers is presenting an a cappella fundraising concert entitled "The Season of Harmony" at 7:00pm on November 17, 2012. The event will be held at Hillsboro High School. The school is located at 3812 Hillsboro Pike in Nashville. The zip code is 37215. Other performers include Lunch Break, and the W. H. Oliver Middle School Choir. Fox 17 reporter Erin Como will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Tickets are $15 and $30, and can be ordered online  www.nashvillesingers.org, or purchased at the door. A silent auction is being held in conjunction with the concert. The auction will begin at 6:00pm and will be open for bids through the end of intermission. The previous two Nashville Singers annual concerts have attracted 600 attendees from 38 cities in eight states across the USA. This year's event has attracted ticket buyers from across Middle Tennessee, and as far away as Illinois, and Georgia. Many are curious how a new performing ensemble manages to draw attendees from such a great distance. Executive Director Todd Wilson remarks, "When you have a reputation for presenting your audience with a quality product, are serving a good cause, and can and combine traditional marketing with the cost-effective reach of reach of social media, you can accomplish a great deal." This concert is our most critical fundraiser of the year. Enjoying success with this event is vital to funding our music education, grant, and scholarship programs for the coming year." About Nashville Singers In their first four years, this volunteer group has grown from four to 15 singers, learned 42 songs, released their first CD, racked up 47 performances for 28 organizations in seven counties across Tennessee, and produced a successful concert series which attracted attendees from 36 cities in eight states across the USA. Their concert audiences have ranged in size from a few hundred to 4000 people. Their diverse repertoire spans many genres. Their philanthropic mission is to enrich lives through support of music education in our schools and the community. This support comes in the form of music education grants, college scholarships, master classes in area schools, and an annual free singing lessons program called Acappella Academy. Nashville Singers is recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The singers are all volunteers, range in age from teenagers to retirees, and travel from five different counties throughout Middle Tennessee to be a part of the chorus.For more information about Nashville Singers, call 615-852-SING (7464), visit them online at  www.nashvillesingers.org, or follow the chorus via social media on Facebook, Twitter, ReverbNation, and LinkedIn.         The Nashville Singers annual Season of Harmony concert will be held on November 17, at 7:00pm at Hillsboro High School. Tickets are on sale now.   Nashville Singers, Inc., Nashville Singers and Nashvillesingers.org are registered and protected service marks (SM) of Nashville Singers, Inc. Read more

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Conference 2013 Ad
Please visit the 2013 Conference Website for information.
King FM Choral Music Channel

Enjoy Seattle’s First Online Choral Music Channel

In celebration of Chorus America’s Annual Conference coming to the Pacific Northwest, Classical KING FM has launched Seattle’s first all-choral music channel online at www.king.org. Listen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for music from top choral groups, including winners of Chorus America’s Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence.

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