The League of American Orchestras

Situation

For more than 80 years, the League has supported America’s orchestras and the vitality of the music they perform through its work in advocacy, convening, resources, data and professional development. Today, that role is more urgently needed than ever as orchestras navigate new opportunities and unpredictable operating environments alongside the persistent challenges that have long impacted the field. To uphold their longstanding partnership with orchestras while evolving to meet the very specific needs of today, the League produced a new Strategic Framework to outline goals and key strategies for the coming years.

Result

To support the tenants of the new Strategic Framework, the League engaged RSC Associates to assess its funding potential through our Campaign Planning and Preparation service. Using a proven process that assesses empirical and quantitative data, including personal interviews and analysis of financial and tactical landscape, RSC compiled a comprehensive view of campaign feasibility, focused on the following critical areas:

1. Feasibility of a Strategic Funding Initiative goal and propensity of current and potential prospects

2. Levels of personal interest and potential financial support from a representative sample of the organization’s philanthropic community

3. Readiness and preparedness of organizational leadership for a major fundraising initiative

4. Responses to a summary case statement and overall responsiveness to the identified fundraising priorities

This comprehensive approach allowed the League to make informed decisions as they prepared to resource the Strategic Framework. The knowledge gained through the process also positioned them to seize opportunities for campaign success, including an appropriately oriented campaign plan and case for support.

As a result, the League launched the Strategic Funding Initiative with momentum, and RSC's continued partnership sustained this trajectory through campaign design and counsel. This combination of tangible deliverables and coaching allowed the League to immediately leverage its own donor and industry relationships, building them for the long-term. It also served to develop the staff and volunteer’s fundraising expertise, an investment in campaign success as well as sustained fundraising growth.