As funding becomes increasingly competitive and unpredictable, archives and institutions are finding ways to build sustainable financial foundations for long-term sustainability. This session will bring together archivists and institutional representatives who have launched or are currently undertaking fundraising, "friendraising," and/or capital campaigns to endow their archives. Panelists will share practical approaches for engaging donors, building compelling cases for support with donors and administration, and cultivating lasting relationships that secure the future of their collections.
The session will feature a range of archival institutions from large public research universities to small cultural heritage organizations, each navigating distinct challenges and opportunities in fundraising. Some operate within well-established university advancement structures, while others work independently or without ownership of their physical spaces, requiring inventive solutions to sustain operations and build donor confidence. Together, they reflect the variety of archival contexts across the region and the adaptability required to secure lasting support.
Building endowments and cultivating donor-based funding models are becoming vital to preserving collections and ensuring continued access to archives. Participants will gain practical ideas and inspiration to enhance and sustain fundraising initiatives within their own organizations.
Speakers Kristina Warner, Norwegian American Historical Association (Session Chair) Neal Harmeyer, Purdue University Dina Kellams, Indiana University Alexis Braun Marks, Eastern Michigan University Pete Rhoda, Indiana University
