Arts matters:

From Toronto’s Creative Trust:

The results of Creative Trust’s Audience Engagement Survey – a first-time, collaborative initiative by Toronto’s [small to mid-size] creative performing arts companies – were released today and are available on our website [PDF here]. The survey made it possible for 20 participating companies to hear directly from their audiences on what motivates them to attend and what helps them connect more deeply with the work they see on stage. The initiative brought music, theatre, opera and dance companies together to learn how to design and plan programs and activities – both individually and collectively – which intensify the impact of their audiences’ experience and stimulate attendance

(via Survey of 3,662 Toronto audience members released today)

Who Gives, Why Do They Give, How Do They Give to Nonprofits?

This news release summarizes findings from Russ Reid’s “Heart of the Donor” study of donor motivation and behavior. Some good statistics here, especially regarding giving in response to the Haiti disaster. Other information, such as, “if the goal of a nonprofit is to effectively target today’s best donors, then they should focus significant and smart attention on the donors giving the most money – seniors and boomers,” reinforces fundamental fund-raising practices.

Russ Reid’s report, unveiled and discussed today at the Direct Marketing Association Nonprofit Federation conference in NYC, can be obtained at http://heartofthedonor.com.

[hat tip to The Chronicle of Philanthropy (@Philanthropy) and Raymund Flandez (@raymundf23)]