Key takeaways
- Ticket buyers and subscribers are the natural first audience for donor calls.
- Calls work well for member renewals, subscriber appeals and annual fund upgrades.
- Benefits like ticket discounts or events affect the deductible amount of a gift.
Who to call
- Subscribers and season ticket holders for an annual fund gift with their renewal.
- Frequent single-ticket buyers who haven't given yet.
- Museum members before their renewal date and after a lapse.
- Lapsed donors and members, most recent first.
- Current donors who might move up to a patron or giving-society level.
When to call
Tie calls to the season: subscription renewal periods, before a major production or exhibition, and year-end. A call right after a performance or visit, while the experience is fresh, can be a natural opening.
Benefits and deductibility
When donors or members get benefits such as ticket discounts, receptions or members-only events, only the amount above the value of those benefits is deductible, and the IRS requires a written disclosure for these contributions over $75 (IRS Publication 1771). Make sure callers and confirmation letters describe this accurately.
Tips for arts calls
- Mention a specific performance or exhibition the person attended, if your system shows it.
- Explain what donations pay for that ticket sales don't, such as education programs or new work.
- Use our membership renewal script and event invitation script.
How KFG helps
Kensington Fundraising Group calls ticket buyers, subscribers and members for arts and culture organizations, in English and Spanish. See our comparison of phone fundraising firms and membership renewal calls.
Sources: IRS Publication 1771.