Guest column: Arts Council kicks off fund drive, asks for your help

Posted at 1:53 pm April 1, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Guest Columns Leave a Comment

Dear Arts Supporter,

The Arts Council of Oak Ridge is kicking off the United Arts Fund Drive this March and April. We are so grateful for the past support from the citizens in our city and county and know that you realize the arts are essential to the health and vitality of our community. The arts enhance community development, spur urban renewal, attract new businesses, draw tourism dollars, and create an environment that attracts skilled, educated workers. Oak Ridge has a long history of a strong arts community, which contributes significantly to an enriched place to live, work, worship, and play.

We are asking you, as a member of our community, to help us continue these vital endeavors by making a tax-exempt donation to this year’s United Arts Fund Drive. As a supporter of the arts, you or your business will receive additional benefits. At the $150 or above donation level, your name or business’ name will be listed in every printed program of every event presented by the eight member organizations as well as in regional newspapers, magazines, our website, and the new Arts Council app for smartphones and tablets reaching more than 50,000 residents. At the $500 or above donation level, links from our website to donor websites will also be provided. Pledges must be received by July 31 to be included in programs and publications.

We ask you to join other businesses and individuals who help support the arts by contacting the Arts Council of Oak Ridge either through our website at artscouncilofoakridge.org or emailing us at [email protected] for more information on donating to one or all of our member organizations. ACOR is proud to report that 96 percent of all funds raised go directly to our member organizations.

Support for the nonprofit arts in our country is a mosaic of funding sources—an ever-changing mix of earned revenue, government support, and private-sector contributions. Nonprofit arts organizations are generally able to earn only half of the money required to sustain their operation. The other half must be raised through contributions and grants. Even small fluctuations in contributed revenue can mean deficits for many organizations. YOUR DONATION IS IMPORTANT TO US!

Sincerely,

James Dodson

Executive Director

Arts Council of Oak Ridge

***

You can contact the Arts Council of Oak Ridge at PO Box 4324, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-4324 or (865) 482-4432.

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