Hi, Michelle - Wow. Your situation demands an intensive training session! (Not for you alone, but the entire organization). You seem to suggest that you were once a board member. Prospective board members should be (deserve to be) informed before they agree of what will be expected. They should receive a packet with past programs, staff job descriptions and financial statements. New board members should trhen undergo a thorough orienttation with even deeper information about the organization's operations and positions. The board should approve the annual budget and be provided financial statemts monthly. It is the board's FIDICIUARY responsibility to ensure the viability and solvency of the organization. It sounds like you are no longer affilitaed with this museum? If that's true, consider yourself fortunate. If not, may I suggest the museum apply for a "MAP?" It's a Museum Assessment where first a self-study is undertaken and then, using that info, a team of peer reviewers visits, interviews, observes and then writes a report with actionable recommendations. Good Luck! Vivian
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Vivian Zoe
Executive Director, retired
Gales Ferry CT
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-01-2025 05:21 PM
From: Michelle Dragoo
Subject: Immediate Museum Funding for Operations!
Hi Vivian!
Thank you SO much for your response! It makes me feel better, and less pressure to save my own job.
I know that the director is technically in charge of securing funding, but I am a little murky on the other things. The reason for that is because we have only 2 paid staff; the director and the assistant curator. I've been a docent and board member for 8 years, so during the board meetings, the director would discuss funding and grants that we have received, and what we need for the yearly budget. But we never talked about any kind of debt or whatever. In short, I didn't know the specific ins and outs of how the administrative side of things work here. When the Director stepped down, I replaced the assistant and she became director. Once hired, I would ask several questions of what specifically I could do to take some on her reponsibilities off her plate. Even fundraising. I'm SO glad you said that it is the director and board that ultimately takes care of that. I didn't know the extent of financial situation so I was suprised to hear they can keep me through February. I'm scrambling to save my job and couldn't help but wonder if I had missed something or if I should have figured out that I should have been working on that.
I LOVE this Museum and have been passonate about their mission since I started as a volunteer. I've still love it here of course and I'm happy that in the 9 months I was in this role. I was able to learn more about aspects of the Museum and how it works in the ways I couldn't as a docent/board member. Regardless, I know fundraising is just so important for Museums, especially small one's like ours. Your response takes some of the pressure I was feeling because I thought I wasn't helping like I should with fundraising stuff. I'm still sad, but the relief I feel is tremendous.
Thank you!
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Michelle Dragoo
Docent
Original Message:
Sent: 01-20-2025 09:13 AM
From: Vivian Zoe
Subject: Immediate Museum Funding for Operations!
Hi, Michelle - You don't say who's expected to raise funds to fill the gap you describe. I hope this is not being placed on you.
In any case, I am now retired, but have done quite a bit of consulting for small museums like yours (also served on AAM MAP and Accreditation peer reviews) and I would like you to know that it is, UNEQUIVOCALLY) the job of the BOARD to guarantee staff salaries. The board needs to do this either by giving or getting sufficient funds to pay staff, including the director.
Having said that, I also realize that boards often fail to do this and it falls upon staff. If this is the case at your museum, the director should identify whose responsibility elements of raising funds will be. For example, will all staff (paid and volunteer) participate in efforts?
Finally, there are no operating grants without matching funds from within the organization or through other (usually private sources). Most sophisticated funding sources recognize that programs require staff to implement and manage resources, so they allow the inclusion of a pro-rata overhead figure. However, even in these cases, more than one grant will most likely be required to accomplish the museum's program goals.
Good Luck! Vivian
Original Message:
Sent: 1/17/2025 3:08:00 PM
From: Michelle Dragoo
Subject: Immediate Museum Funding for Operations!
Hi Everyone!
This is my first time posting! I need some help. I recently got hired at a small Museum, with only a 2 person paid staff. It's called the Museum of Social Justice. I don't have to tell you all about how funding is so necessary for small Museums. I found out that our funding from last year was not enough to pay for both of the staff. I am part-time, while my colleague is the full-time director. I love my job, but putting all the operational needs on only one person isn't ideal. Is there anything out there for immediate funding opportunities for operations!? I've run out of ideas! Most of the funding opportunities out there are one's are grants for specific things that our museum just doesn't qualify for. We need help.
Thank you guys!
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Michelle Dragoo
Docent
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