Molière in the Park

The challenge

When BFG began working with this small theater company, it was already fast gaining notoriety for its artistic excellence and innovative approach, growing both its audience and its artistic clout with each passing season.

But theater companies in marginalized communities receive a fraction of the funding that larger, predominantly white institutions receive. Without resources for professional development staff, MIP was struggling to gain a foothold in New York’s ultra-competitive foundation world, and had not yet received any substantial public funding.

The solution

After BFG’s case statement process refined this small theater’s organizational story and value proposition, BFG launched MIP’s first strategic grants effort, quickly leading to a two-year grant from NYSCA – MIP’s first significant government grant.

At the end of year one, we devised and implemented MIP’s Year-End Fundraising Campaign, beginning with an analysis of the previous year's campaign, and followed by goal setting, prospect segmentation, theme and message development, and the writing of all communications. To maximize results, we delivered training to MIP’s Board of Directors to increase their connection to MIP and inspire their participation in the appeal. This was MIP’s most successful end-of-year campaign, doubling donors in the $100-$499 category.

Throughout the engagement, we supported and coached the Executive Director in growing MIP’s network and cultivating meaningful relationships with funders.

By the end of Year 2, we secured additional government funding from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and from stalwart NYC arts funders such as the Emma Sheafer Charitable Trust.