Main content
Neuberger Museum of Art

backstory: This is not a solicitation.

Earlier today, I gave a presentation to the Board of the Directors of the Purchase College Foundation about fundraising. Right off the bat, I said to the group that I truly believe that fundraising is not about dollars and cents. Dollars and cents are a byproduct—a necessary byproduct, but a byproduct nonetheless—of long-lasting relationships.

I gave an example of someone who has been very generous to the Neuberger for a long time and described the ways in which that relationship has grown over decades. It wasn’t me who first engaged with this person. Rather, it would have been a Neuberger director who, decades ago, initiated a first conversation. Or maybe it was someone in our education department. Or our preparation department. It could have been anyone, really. What’s important to me is the relationship that has slowly and steadily grown over the years. And that made me think of all of you who take time to read this weekly piece. For all the ways in which you support us by simply believing in what we do … thank you.

Tracy Fitzpatrick
Director, Neuberger Museum of Art

Find me on Twitter @tracyfitzart