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ArtsFund 

Description

The arts are our business! Donors trust ArtsFund to invest their dollars wisely. Through ArtsFund, donors support over 60 diverse local arts groups. ArtsFund's expertise connects resources across the arts community -- it's an opportunity to support exciting groups that you may not know, as well as your favorites. ArtsFund's work goes beyond grantmaking - ArtsFund also specializes in helping arts groups strengthen their operations, as well as being a strong central voice on important issues in the region's cultural life.

Mission Statement
ArtsFund strengthens the arts in the region by raising and responsibly allocating funds to promote artistic and organizational excellence and by advocating for all the arts.
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ArtsFund
PO Box 19780 
Seattle 
WA
98109-6780 
(206) 281-9050 

Mari Horita 
President & CEO 

Programs

ArtsFund Programs

ArtsFund’s Associates program engages 150 volunteers annually, developing their leadership skills, fundraising prowess and interest in the arts. The Board Leadership Training program has placed scores of veteran Associates on nonprofit arts boards and has trained hundreds of current members of arts boards.

ArtsFund also conducts research valuable to cultural organizations, elected officials and other policy makers and the media. Conducted every five years (the most recent study was published in January 2011), ArtsFund’s economic impact study of cultural activity measures the significance of cultural organizations and their patrons to our economy and tracks the growth of cultural activity over the decades.

ArtsFund is an effective advocate for cultural activities in the public policy arena. Since 1991, when it founded the Building for the Arts program with The Boeing Company, that program has secured $71 million in State of Washington funds for 182 arts capital projects across the state.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

In 2011, in a still-challenging economy, ArtsFund made grants of $2.4 million to 63 King and Pierce County arts groups, a more than 13% increase over 2010. ArtsFund also welcomed new President & CEO Mari Horita in January 2012.

ArtsFund strives to support the overall health of the region's arts and cultural community by coordinating significant volunteer efforts, facilitating partnerships among arts groups, and participating in policy and advocacy efforts on behalf of the arts. ArtsFund's goal is to look back on this difficult economic period and see that our efforts helped ensure that our arts community not only survived but became even more vibrant.

Evaluation


ArtsFund works to strengthen the arts in our region through raising and allocating funding for arts groups, providing capacity building opportunities and advocating for all the arts. ArtsFund donors support nearly 70 local arts groups, large and small, so they can provide stimulating and enlightening arts for our community. ArtsFund’s work goes beyond grants, helping arts groups strengthen their operations.

Proven Success
In 2011, ArtsFund granted over $2.3 million to 63 Pierce and King County arts groups. In what continues to be a challenging economy, this $2.3 million grant total for 2011 is 13 percent higher than ArtsFund's 2010 grant total. ArtsFund also led the effort to secure $2.46 million in State of Washington funds that had been on the chopping block to some 11 arts capital project through the Building for the Arts program in the 2011 legislative session.

Best Practices
ArtsFund is supporting the cultural database project, which is a secure online aggregation of patron information that can be extensively analyzed and, with permission, shared among participants, significantly enhancing the ability of cultural organizations to engage audiences more effectively.
After conducting a rigorous review process for applicants, ArtsFund grants provide general operating support, allowing the organization to determine where funding is most needed.

Leadership
New President and CEO Mari Horita assumed leadership of ArtsFund at the start of 2012. She follows former head Jim Tune, who retired after six years at the helm of ArtsFund. A former practicing attorney and managing director of a firm that provides recruitment and placement of lawyers and legal professionals, Horita has an extensive background in civic and community involvement and has served on a number of nonprofit boards including Artsfund.

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
9/10/2011 $10,000.00support general operating expenses.
12/14/2006 $20,000.00support replacement of the roof and HVAC system of The Century Building.

Financials

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