Philanthropy in the USA
Arts Foundation Executive Director, Simon Bowden, visited the United States of America in August 2010 to study arts and philanthropy. He was invited by the American Embassy in Wellington on an International Visitor Leadership Programme. The trip was funded by the United States Department of State.
While on the road, Simon recorded a series of video logs to share his insights with those interested in increasing philanthropic support for the arts in New Zealand. The videos have been edited to provide a series of insights and helpful tips. They can be located in the news section on this site or by following these links:
New York City, with Floiran Habitch
Kalamazoo, Michigan with Randy Gist
Portland, Oregon with Tim DuRoche
The Arts Foundation, which was established to boost private support for the arts, has just turned ten years old. The Foundation accepts donations and legacies to help grow its permanent endowment fund so that it can give financial awards to artists from interest earned. It also assists patrons who would like to personalise their giving to ensure their gift is effective. With $6 million invested, $3 million donated to artists and up to $15 million expected in legacies, the Foundation is off to a good start.
The United States is the envy of the world when it comes to private support for the arts. Multi-million dollar donations are common. While we know New Zealand does not have the fraction of the wealth of America, the reason given by most commentators for not having comparable levels of giving in New Zealand is that it is not tax effective. But things have changed. The Government has lifted the rebate cap on giving to charity so that one third of donations up to the donor's net income is refundable. So can we now learn from America? Simon Bowden thinks we can.
Simon traveled to Washington DC, New York, Kalamazoo in Michigan, Portland in Oregon and Los Angeles. He had 39 meetings with major cultural institutions, venues, arts festivals, specialist agencies that work with artists, arts fundraising innovators, philanthropists and development departments. Simon says "It was a trip of a lifetime. Americans love talking about raising money, so I've come home with more good ideas than we have time to implement".
If you are interested in learning more about philanthropy register or contact us .