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[email protected] VOLUME XVI, NO. 1, WINTER 2010 corporation could use the money—that organizations the flexibility to engage State of the Art my money can only go to developing in new directions and opportunities. He JAMES F. TUNE shaving cream, while mine can only go to notes an increase in conversations on PRESIDENT AND CEO toothpaste, especially if no one wanted the virtues of operating support, perhaps to pay to turn on the lights or pay the spurred at least in part by the struggles plumbing bill…[General operating many nonprofits are facing during these support] is fundamentally flexible times. working capital—money that can be used After our allocations process this past as opportunity arises…The organization summer, we decided it would be a good without access to such capital…misses idea to ask the arts organizations who the opportunity and quite possibly cannot applied for funding from ArtsFund what survive.” they think about our allocations process Funders around the country are and how it might be improved. Among the beginning to recognize that general questions asked was “Should ArtsFund operating support provided to nonprofits maintain the purpose of its grants as after careful evaluation of their business general operating support as opposed to operations has renewed importance. funding for specific programs?” Forty- In a recent article in the Wall Street four arts groups specifically responded; Journal, Palo Eisenberg, senior fellow The lead article in our Fall 2009 Newsletter of that number 43 responded vigorously at the Center for Public and Nonprofit “yes;” one responded “maybe both;” addressed the many program services ArtsFund Leadership at Georgetown University, none responded “no.” The 23 written provides to promote organizational excellence questioned whether current charitable comments repeated over and over among arts groups and to support the cause giving meets the needs of nonprofit how difficult it is to obtain operating of the arts in the public arena.