This article originally published by Go Riverwalk Magazine

Take a seat at the table to make a lasting impact on the arts in our community.

Philanthropy fuels so many important causes and organizations in Broward County. For funders, where, why and how much to contribute are among the biggest concerns.

I first encountered the wealth of generosity in our community as a former Society Scene editor for the Sun Sentinel, and, in my role at NSU Art Museum and now with Broward Cultural Division, I continue to see the positive impact it has on our region. The nature of philanthropy is rapidly changing, though, in part due to fast-developing technology and improved accessibility, and as funders, board members, government employees, elected officials and philanthropists, we each need to do our part to ensure we are allocating our resources in the best possible ways.

In 2010, Grantmakers in the Arts (GIA) – the only national association of both public and private arts and culture funders in the U.S. – embarked on the National Capitalization Project to seek answers to the undercapitalized tendency of the nonprofit arts field.

Defining capitalization as “the resources an organization needs to fulfill its mission over time,” GIA has hosted Conversations on Capitalization and Community in 15 cities throughout the nation, encouraging cultural stakeholders to engage in dialogue about the financial health of nonprofit arts groups within their communities, and how funders can more effectively support their grantees.

The next location for this forum is right here in Fort Lauderdale. On Sept. 17, in partnership with GIA, Broward Cultural Division will host these dialogues in two three-hour workshops.

The morning workshop is geared to grantees – arts and cultural nonprofit organizations of all sizes – will examine what a well-capitalized organization looks like and how to achieve financial stability and vibrancy.
Register Here >

The afternoon session is designed for public and private arts funders interested in the wellbeing of the nonprofit arts sector.
Register Here >

Each session is limited to 40 persons.

I invite you to join me in taking arts funding to the next level. Feel free to email me at mclements@broward.org to reserve your or your organization’s seat at the table.

GOALS FOR CONVERSATIONS ON
CAPITALIZATION AND COMMUNITY

1. Elevate knowledge of capitalization for nonprofits and their
   funders
2. Provide shared vocabulary that granters and grantees use to
   inform and transform grantmaking and nonprofit financial
   practices
3. Provide insights into having effective dialogues between
   funders and grantees
4. Facilitate discussion with funders and nonprofits about their
   community’s capital drivers, their institutional values and practices,
   and the ways that each entity fits into the arts eco-system
5. Create a greater sense of complementary practice and camaraderie
   for a stronger, healthier arts and culture ecosystem.