Q&A with Kerri Schlottman

Fundraising has never been easy and there is no one great model to follow, but as long as an organization’s development team is able to adapt to the funding climate and continually evolve methods and think creatively, much can be accomplished, even in the most challenging times.

FS: Do you foresee any big changes in the way you reach potential donors and other supporters in the near future?
KS: Once we crack the nut on how to best use social media to meet our fundraising needs, this is an area that we foresee will bring about much change in how we communicate to supporters and attract new partnerships.

FS: How would you describe your fundraising philosophy?
KS: The Alliance team works hard to identify new support sources; foster long-lasting relationships with current donors; and cultivate effective and committed partnerships with our board of directors, regional affiliates and other like-minded organizations. Each aspect of our programming is thoroughly assessed for its efficacy, sustainability and capacity for growth. We involve our donors and partners in exciting programmatic activities that provide them with hands-on experience of our important contribution to honoring talent in creative youth: They participate as jurors during awards adjudication; facilitate workshops for students and teachers; award medals of honor to young artists and writers; and attend special exhibition openings of student works.