"We're thrilled to be one among an impressive group of arts
nonprofit organizations receiving critical support from Bloomberg
Philanthropies," said Tony Valenzuela, Executive Director. "Lambda
Literary is growing and with that growth come new challenges that the
Arts Innovation and Management Program will help us address smartly and
directly."
The invitation-only program supports nonprofit cultural
organizations based in six cities: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los
Angeles and San Francisco. All organizations are locally or
internationally recognized nonprofits that have been in existence for at
least two years. The grantees are required to participate in a
management training program; secure matching funds; ensure 100% board
participation in fundraising; and maintain up-to-date information in the
Cultural Data Project, an online financial & data collection
platform that assists arts organizations across the country to collect,
learn from, and use data effectively. The grants are unrestricted so
that recipients can use them to address their greatest needs.
Lambda Literary will be using the two-year grant to develop and
strengthen its audiences and constituents across four key programs: the Lambda Literary Review web magazine, the Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices, the Lambda Literary Awards and LGBTQ Writers in Schools.
Bloomberg Philanthropies is partnering with the DeVos Institute of
Arts Management at the University of Maryland to develop curricula and
conduct trainings for the AIM program in each city. The comprehensive
workshops engage organizations around activities that strengthen their
long-term health and goals and include consultations and implementation
support for arts managers and their boards.
First piloted in New York City, Bloomberg Philanthropies supported
245 grantees through AIM from 2011-2013. Participating organizations
reported improvements in audience development, board engagement and
fundraising over the two-year program.
