WOMEN AND DANCE PHILANTHROPY: REVITALIZING DANCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PROVEN FUNDRAISING METHODS

Abstract

Women have historically had relationships with dance organizations as committed audience members. With the increase in women’s economic power that has come with social change over the past century, women have the capacity to donate monetarily to dance organizations. Recent research on women’s motivations for giving shows fundraising professionals how best to solicit donations from female donors. However, despite the existing research and the capacity and inclination of women to give, dance organizations do not effectively pursue female donors. This paper explores the potential application of research on women and philanthropy to the field of dance development. Using dance-specific examples, the paper suggests evidence-based methods for organizations to effectively cultivate and solicit female donors.