CHARLOTTE – The Arts & Science Council (ASC) said Friday it raised $9,067,650 in its 2013 Annual Fund Drive, topping a goal of $8.2 million. But the nonprofit funder of cultural and arts groups said it fell short of its goal for unrestricted donations as more people designated which organizations they wanted to fund.

“Even though the campaign, comprised of restricted and unrestricted gifts, exceeded its total goal, the campaign had a nearly $500,000 shortfall in unrestricted giving that primarily supports and impacts the operating grants to 23 arts, science and history organizations in Mecklenburg County,” the ASC said in a press release.

ASC said restricted giving through its power2give.org platform and support for education programs, which also benefit the 23 operating support organizations, continued to rise.

The council raises money primarily through through individual donations to workplace campaigns as well as from corporate and foundation gifts.

Based on research related to donor trends and the changing philanthropic landscape in the workplace and community, ASC leaders intentionally set the 2013 campaign goal as a 5 percent decrease from the 2012 campaign that raised $8.4 million on an $8.7 million goal.

The dollars raised from the annual campaign, coupled with public funding from the city of Charlotte, the North Carolina Arts Council, Mecklenburg County municipalities, and endowment earnings, enable ASC to invest in neighborhood cultural projects, education programs, festivals, programming in all six Mecklenburg County municipalities, operating support for cultural organizations, workshops and trainings, public art, and technical assistance and professional development opportunities.

The ASC said 83 cents of every dollar it receives goes to arts, science and history efforts. ASC will invest $12.5 million during the 2013-2014 fiscal year.

“We are grateful to our donors for their steadfast and generous support of not only ASC but the organizations we serve,” interim ASC President Robert Bush said Friday in the press release. “The dollars we receive are critical in supporting arts, science and history organizations, programming and experiences that educate, entertain and enrich the lives of residents and visitors to the community while allowing the cultural sector to serve as a strong and local economic driver.”

Linda Lockman-Brooks, ASC board chair and president of Lockman-Brooks Marketing Services and Kevin Patterson, ASC board member and retired IBM executive, co-chaired the campaign. Civic leaders Jim and Mary Lou Babb served as honorary co-chairs.

RELATED COVERAGE

See previous ASC coverage on DavidsonNews.net

ArtsandScience.org, the ASC website.