Speaker(s): Catherine Heitz New, CEO, RSC Associates

In 2025’s volatile economic and national climate, orchestras can't afford to wait, hope, or pause. Relief funds are gone, expenses are rising, and, for many, earned revenue is plateauing. Meanwhile, fundraising is experiencing a familiar shift, echoing patterns from the Great Recession and the pandemic. With major gifts driving results, it is critical to adapt quickly and strategically.

You need strategies that meet today’s realities—strategies that put you, not the economy, in control of the ask. This session will give your staff and Board members clear, actionable guidance to navigate donor uncertainty, secure immediate cash flow, and stabilize your orchestra’s finances.

Drawing from RSC Associates’ proven methods, which have been tested and refined across orchestras of all sizes, we’ll show how to accelerate fundraising efforts, build a resilient Annual Fund, and grow major gift revenue without losing momentum. Whether you have a full team or a solo fundraiser juggling it all, these practices deliver real results—and fast.

This session has been sponsored and developed by RSC Associates.