SESSION DESCRIPTION

This virtual session on digital fundraising and communications, tailored for Levitt venues and music series grantees, addressed the unique challenge of fundraising in the arts, and specifically for free events. The session covered messaging for donors, sponsors, and stakeholders across digital channels–from highlighting program costs to reinforcing the value that each nonprofit brings—building a culture of giving modeled after peer organizations. Discussions included analysis of donation platform options and tools like Google Ad Grants; strategies for converting in-person concertgoers into online donors; and year-round digital stewardship to retain supporters between concert seasons. The session also incorporated an overview of how AI tools can support digital fundraising communications.

 

 

RESOURCES

Session Recording

Session Presentation (PDF)

Digital Fundraising Guide (PDF)

Donation Platforms (PDF)

AI Sample Prompts Worksheet (PDF)

Google Ad Keywords (PDF)

 

 

PRESENTER

Joanna Drew is a grants, fundraising, and AI capacity-building consultant who works with international NGOs and US-based nonprofits. Since founding Hilo Consulting in 2020, she has secured over $4 million in private foundation grants for clients including Global Fund for Women, Limitless Horizons Ixil, and Yamba Malawi, among others. In 2023, Joanna began working at the intersection of AI and Social Impact. She has presented on AI at philanthropy and nonprofit conferences in Atlanta, Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul. Most recently, she joined the Navigate AI Collaborative and launched an AI for Social Impact Newsletter to equip mission-driven leaders with the tools to build new pathways to impact.

Joanna holds a BSc in Business Administration from Boston University and an MA in International Development from the University of Kent – Brussels School of International Studies.