Explore the entire 2025 Philanthropy Pulse report.
A variety of arts and culture organizations are represented in this year’s report.
fundraising practices
Most arts and culture institutions (58%) report revenue increases vs. their prior fiscal year, about the same rate as last year. Most (66%) of organizations get 20% or less of their giving in the form of non–cash assets, despite evidence that nonprofits accepting non-cash donations grow nearly five times faster on average than organizations accepting only cash gifts.
arts & culture projections and priorities
Fifty-eight percent (58%) of arts and culture organizations predict an increase in annual appeal income in 2025, while 60% anticipate increased income for mid-level gifts. Donor acquisition was ranked a top challenge by 55% of respondents in the sector, followed by board and leadership development at 28%. Fifty-eight percent (58%) believe DEI is important to define their organization’s values, compared to 63% across all sectors in the US. Embracing inclusivity and focusing on DEI issues can be crucial for engaging next-gen donors who prioritize global issues embedded in the arts and culture sector, such as social justice and free expression.
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra offers a unique case study in DEI engagement. With a goal of eliminating barriers to access, they offer free community concerts, collaborate with community partners, and provide a variety of ticket discounts and pay structures. Learn more about their innovations here.
Subscription Sales at Arts and Culture Institutions
While 36% of respondents do not have a subscription or membership model, 61% of arts and culture organizations report the same or an increase in subscription sales during the past year.
staffing and resourcing in the arts & culture sector
In 2024, 30% of participating organizations increased their fundraising staff, compared to 23% across sectors. While half of all organizations increased staff pay by 4% or more over the past three years, 52% of organizations in this sector saw an increase. Beyond fundraising staff, many arts and culture organizations are turning to their board members for additional advancement support.
One way to engage your community is through an assoiation board to engage next-generation donors. Read here about the five key steps for association board cultivation, as well as the Nashville Symphony’s implementation story.
donor acquisition and retention
Sixty-five percent (65%) of organizations indicate that their number of new donors has increased in the past 12 months, as compared to 53% across sectors. Fifty-six percent (56%) of organizations report retaining over half of their new donors over the past 12 months, compared to 53% last year in the sector, and 49% across all sectors.
Learn more about 2025 donor acquisition and retention strategies in our new article.
Visitors and Audience Trends at Arts and Culture Institutions
Most (60%) arts and culture institutions across the US experienced an increase in visitors and audience members in 2024 compared to the previous year.
arts & culture AI, data, and technology
Forty-three percent (43%) of arts and culture organizations use AI technology in their operations, an uptick from 28% in the previous year, as compared to 53% across sectors. Explore here for valuable insights, strategies, and tools to support your arts and culture institution’s growth in AI.
The data on this page was curated from a questionnaire taken by nearly 650 responding organizations during the fall of 2024, reporting on FY2024 results.
