Guest Contributor Brett Egan
President, DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management
I’m pleased to share an update on the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management’s Capacity Building Program in Central Florida—an initiative made possible by the DeVos Family Foundation in partnership with United Arts of Central Florida.
This program builds directly on the work we undertook together with United Arts in 2022 through the Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs Ecology Study, which provided a comprehensive analysis of the region’s arts sector.
That study identified critical challenges facing local arts and culture organizations, including the need for stronger long-term planning, more robust contributed revenue strategies and increased investment in leadership and infrastructure.
It also highlighted the essential role of arts organizations in fostering cultural vibrancy and economic impact in the region. The current Capacity Building Program is designed to address these issues head-on, equipping organizations with the tools and frameworks necessary to ensure sustainability and growth.
Now in its second year, this initiative provides indepth training in strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, board development and financial management— areas identified in the study as essential for strengthening the sector.
The program’s impact is tangible: 19 organizations are now finalizing strategic plans that set ambitious but attainable goals for expanding their reach, growing their resources and deepening their engagement with the community.
The implementation of these plans will require not only leadership within the organizations but also active participation from the broader community. Patrons, donors, policymakers and advocates all play a role in ensuring that these organizations have the support they need to thrive.
With United Arts as a key partner in this work, we are committed to helping the region’s arts and culture sector build the capacity required for long-term success.
We at the DeVos Institute greatly appreciate the opportunity to continue this collaboration and look forward to realizing the vision of this important work: a substantially strengthened, sustainable and vibrant arts and culture sector in Central Florida.
