“We have just finished a successful fundraising fiscal-year with private sector revenues exceeding target, thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Grant that invested in an expert-led, new multi-year fundraising strategy, as well as a fundraising staff person’s salary, and their professional development fees,” said Robert Windrum, Chair of the Board of Directors. “As a fundraiser myself, I am thrilled with the result, and the growth of awareness by our audiences and long-time supporters of the importance, impact and activity made possible by individual donations to this Museum.”
During the pandemic closures in Toronto, the Textile Museum of Canada, like many arts and culture organizations closed to the public, faced a steep decline in private sector revenues on top of earned revenue decline, and programming pivoted by necessity online to maintain audiences, engage community, and pay staff and artists until re-opening. A focused annual, sustainable fundraising strategy was the priority for Museum leadership, to increase fundraising success and impact for recovery.
“The Textile Museum of Canada has been hard at work rebuilding audiences through exciting contemporary textile art exhibitions and programming, and the recent launch of the new permanent Collection Gallery featuring the inaugural exhibition, Gathering. This initiative was made possible by our new Friends of the Collection Gallery donor circle, launched because of the strategic fundraising plan,” said Kirsten Kamper, Director and CEO of the Museum. “In addition to funds raised, we have re-engaged past donors and developed enhanced communications and stewardship plans, fostering both long-term and new relationships that will help us continue to rebuild and grow.”
Berna Gulmisal, Philanthropy Manager of the Textile Museum of Canada since August 2022, under the fundraising mentorship of Recast Philanthropy, has been critical to rebuilding the annual Supporter base by 140 per cent and counting. An emerging leader in the philanthropy sector, Gulmisal imparted: “On behalf of the Textile Museum of Canada, congratulations to the Ontario Trillium Foundation on 40 years of granting and building healthy and vibrant communities across the province.”
About the Textile Museum of Canada:
The Textile Museum of Canada aims to inspire understanding of the human experience through textiles. We are the only museum in Canada delivering programs and exhibitions dedicated solely to textile arts. The Museum ignites creativity, inspires wonder, and sparks conversation through the stories held within our global collection of textiles, and active engagement with contemporary art practices. For more information, visit: textilemuseum.ca, IG: @textilemuseumofcanada, Tiktok: @textilemuseumofcanada and FB: Textile Museum of Canada.
About the Ontario Trillium Foundation: The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Media Inquiries
Textile Museum of Canada
Caitlin Donnelly, Digital Marketing Coordinator
416-599-5321 x2245 or cdonnelly@textilemuseum.ca
