Cultivating connections : a survey of Dallas Heritage Village donors.

Abstract

Historic house museums and villages have been struggling for the last 25 years to sustain their operating costs. Many have been focusing on interpretation as a way to engage the public and gain a new audience. This project looks at a different way of viewing the problem to focus on fundraising and development as a way to engage donors and develop a new commitment to these historic institutions. This project surveyed and interviewed high-level donors from Dallas Heritage Village in Dallas, Texas concerning their donation practices. This project found that personal connections are vital to fundraising and governing bodies must understand their role in the process.