Story
The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival Society used a $15,000-grant from Catalyst to offer mentorship and consultancy related to the group’s private sector fundraising. A hired consultant was able to work with the staff and Board to identify unrealized opportunities to improve PuSh’s long-term financial sustainability. This included the development of strategies to generate and diversify new revenue. The group now has procedures for individual donor and member levels, benefits, and recognition. As a result, the group exceeded its target for individual donations, raising just under $19,000 in the 2007-08 season. It also saw the creation of a new position: Fundraising Manager to offer in-house expertise and strategies to better finance its mandate and vision, and offer an integrated approach for fundraising and audience development. Through this, the group hopes to become less dependent on public sector funding, while maximizing its potential to become a leading performing arts festival.
