Navigating The Challenges of Museum Fundraising Events

By:Ella Petrulla

Currently, funding for museums and stressing their importance is at an all time high. With the executive order of the IMLS, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, agency funding and resources being cut, we as must band together and support museums. As communication personnel, we are in a position to share the needs of our museums and ensure we can continue our mission of education. 

A Stat That Speaks For Itself

According to the American Museum Alliance, 97% of Americans believe that museums are educational assets for their communities. You must be able to properly communicate this statistic to the general public in a way that encourages them to take action. Hosting a great fundraising event gets your museum in the spotlight and also benefits them fiscally.

 Burke Museum, fundraising-event

Frist Art Museum,fundraising-events

Strategies for Event Planning That Can benefit Your Museum: 

1. Host a Unique Fundraising Gala- A Gala is a great opportunity to showcase your museum's work and achievements over the years. It is also a great opportunity to help raise funds for the museum's upcoming needs and projects. 

   
   

2. Create a Fundraising Newsletter- In your museums newsletters or website you can point them to a place to donate either their time or money. It is important that in your emails and messaging you tell our patrons where exactly the funds will be placed. Also be sure to include and communicate effectively why the museum needs their donations most now.

3. Offer Exclusivity to Members- Create amazing fundraising opportunities and events for your museum membership holders. Membership holders are the most loyal to your organization, and they should be treated as such. Be sure to offer them exclusive events for the museum as they contribute their time and finances to your museum. 

   
   

4. Leverage Holidays- Each holiday is a great opportunity to celebrate your museum. Many different holidays can be celebrated in the museum space. For example, if you are a history museum, put on a National Women's History Month event to highlight all of the great women throughout history that have contributed to your museum through their work or the history they made. Every event is an opportunity to gain funding, build relationships with your patrons, and put your museum on display in a new and exciting way. 

If you need more general fundraising ideas click here or watch this video, to find more impactful ways to bring in donations. 

National Shell Museum, Stand up Comedy Fundraiser , 2023-gala

Fundraising Events can look different for every museum, being able to know your audience is crucial to how you will raise money, and being able to reach them with your museum's message. A museum that took advantage of this unconventional take is in 2023 the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum in Sanibel, Fla. The National Shell Museum put on a dinner, live auction, regular paddle fundraising, but also had a live comedy show put on by an SNL Comedian. The museum knew they had an audience that would enjoy the humor of Kevin Nealon. They were able to plan a unique event that also aligned with the interests of the museum's patrons helped the museum raise over $390,000 in sponsorships, auction sales and donations in total. 

Right now the country needs museums more than ever,  as the federal funding for your museum may be up in the air, it is your responsibility to share with your patrons the museum's financial needs in order to succeed. Communicating these needs properly to show the urgency yet to not scare the public on the stability of your museum is important.