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  • 1.  For-Profit Business Strategies at Non-Profit Organizations

    Posted 03-16-2015 08:39 AM
    I'm working on an article about utilizing for-profit business strategies in a non-profit environment and am hoping to find some examples within the Museum community. I'm working off the premise/idea that "non-profit is a tax status, not a business strategy".

    Do any of you have examples of how your organization has changed/adapted, even evolved, with regards to marketing/branding, organizational efficiency, or customer experience to implement what is traditionally seen as for-profit strategy at your museum?

    I have a number of examples from zoos, but want to pull in the near and dear to my heart museum community as well! Let me know if you'd prefer to respond off-line as well! Many thanks in advance for your thoughts on this topic!

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    Liesel Tarquini
    Marketing Specialist
    Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc.
    Gilbertsville PA
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  • 2.  RE: For-Profit Business Strategies at Non-Profit Organizations

    Posted 03-17-2015 11:13 AM
    Liesel: I'm not sure what you mean by for-profit business strategies. Through my position we are trying to use project management to develop, manage and evaluate our projects.  Museums are using things like data analytics to learn more about visitors, members etc. I'd be happy to talk to you offline.  Jane
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    Jane MacKnight
    Director Museum Planning
    Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
    Cincinnati OH
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  • 3.  RE: For-Profit Business Strategies at Non-Profit Organizations

    Posted 03-18-2015 08:46 AM

    Hi Liesel--take a look at the "For Profit For Good" chapter in CFM's TrendsWatch 2014 (available here:http://www.aam-us.org/resources/center-for-the-future-of-museums/projects-and-reports/trendswatch)

     It cites a few examples, including the New Museum's business incubator, the Spark!Lab National Network (essentially franchising an exhibit to other museums), the Children's Museum of Richmond (opening a string of satellite sites to increase visitation), and Gore Place (running a farmer's market, including contracting with local technology parks for this service.)

     

    Elizabeth 

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    Elizabeth Merritt
    Director, Center for the Future of Museums
    American Alliance of Museums
    Washington DC
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