How Donorly Helped a Theater Company Grow Its Budget by 40%

Donorly partnered with a nationally recognized theater company dedicated to developing new work. While the organization had a strong artistic reputation and a close-knit community of supporters, its fundraising capacity was limited by reliance on personal networks and founder-led efforts.

In just two years, Donorly guided them from a constrained, founder-dependent model to a professionalized development operation, resulting in 69% revenue growth and the two largest gifts in its history.

  • This case presented five key challenges common to arts and culture nonprofits:

    • Network limitations: Fundraising relied primarily on the founder and board’s immediate contacts.

    • Capacity gaps: Limited professional fundraising expertise and infrastructure.

    • Staff bandwidth: A small team stretched thin across artistic and administrative duties.

    • Donor acquisition: No systematic donor cultivation or stewardship strategy beyond existing supporters.

    • Event burden: Heavy reliance on time-intensive events without a clear return on investment.

    Without targeted capacity building and a sustainable fundraising strategy, the organization risked plateauing—limiting both financial potential and artistic growth.

  • Donorly implemented a comprehensive fundraising consulting engagement focused on infrastructure development, capacity building, and sustainability.

    Infrastructure Development

    • Conducted comprehensive prospect research to identify new funding opportunities

    • Built professional fundraising systems and donor management protocols

    • Designed campaign strategies and streamlined the event calendar

    Capacity Building

    • Coached staff to strengthen fundraising and donor communication skills

    • Trained board members in donor engagement and solicitation strategies

    • Developed sustainable event strategies tailored to a small staff

    • Identified and cultivated major gift prospects

    Implementation

    Year 1: Foundation Building

    • Launched a comprehensive fundraising campaign

    • Developed a manageable, strategic donor events calendar

    • Began systematic donor cultivation beyond the founder’s network

    • Initiated major gifts strategy targeting new prospects

    Year 2: Growth & Systems

    • Rebranded the individual giving program for broader donor appeal

    • Supported the organization in securing the two largest gifts in its history

    • Helped double staff size to meet expanding fundraising needs
      Embedded sustainable fundraising systems for long-term growth

    • 69% increase in contributed revenue over two years

    • 40% growth in operating budget

    • Two largest gifts in organizational history secured

    • Staff doubled to support expanded operations

    • Rebranded individual giving program to ensure sustainable fundraising growth

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