Between Two Worlds: Fundraising and Leadership in Public-Private Museums

ID: WMA2026_575

Track: Other

Museums operate at the intersection of public responsibility and private philanthropy, creating both opportunity and complexity. How do you make a compelling case for support when you are perceived as publicly funded? How do you build meaningful relationships with elected officials while advancing philanthropic goals? This session explores how museum leaders can navigate this dynamic, align stakeholders, and strengthen both public and private partnerships to support long-term sustainability and growth. 

Session Information

Format: Regular session/panel (roundtable, single speaker, etc.)

Uniqueness: Bridges fundraising and government relations, two often siloed functions into one integrated strategy for museums operating in a public-private environment.

Objectives:

• Articulate a dual-case for support that resonates with both public-sector stakeholders and private donors 
• Identify and prioritize key government relationships (elected officials, agency leaders, staff) and understand how to engage them effectively 
• Navigate common points of tension between public funding expectations and private philanthropic priorities 
• Align internal leadership (board, executive, development) around a shared strategy for operating in a public-private model 
• Apply a practical framework for assessing their institution’s position and opportunities within this ecosystem

Engagement: This session will actively engage participants through live polling and facilitated discussion, inviting attendees to reflect on where they experience the greatest tension between public and private funding. Small group or table conversations will allow participants to share challenges and approaches with peers.

Relationship to Theme:

Audience

Audiences: Development and Membership Officers 

Professional Level: Mid-Career Senior Level 

Scalability: This session is designed to be highly scalable across museums of varying sizes, structures, and geographies. Whether an institution is municipally owned, nonprofit-operated, or fully independent, the core dynamics of navigating public and private support remain consistent. The frameworks presented can be adapted for small teams building foundational relationships, as well as large institutions managing complex stakeholder ecosystems. Participants will leave with flexible tools that can be tailored to their local funding environment, governance model, and stage of growth.

Participants