Europe’s museums continue to feel the pinch of austerity. In response, the museums are building private support groups on the American model:

“They are becoming more hip to what Americans are doing as they shift from public to private funding,” said Ellena E. Fotinatos, deputy director of donor and nonprofit services at the King Baudouin Foundation United States, whose mandate is to help European and African nonprofits raise money in this country. “With increased austerity in Europe, professional fund-raising is growing more focused around this area.” Some large cultural institutions have long had American outposts.

Others are just beginning a major push. In Spain, the Prado’s Amigos del Museo del Prado foundation boasts 29,000 members and raised more than $5 million last year.

European Museums Are Shifting to American Way of Giving  (The New York Times)