A new national study offers an economic picture of Latino and African American nonprofit museums and performing arts companies, and it suggests that donors often let weaker organizations perish while allowing stronger ones to flourish.

The University of Maryland's DeVos Institute of Arts Management produced the "Diversity in the Arts: The Past, Present, and Future of African American and Latino Museums, Dance Companies, and Theater Companies" report published late September, which stated a number of well-managed smaller organizations produce the best art and have big impacts on their communities, yet they require support. The report included a number of potentially controversial findings, including the fact that larger mainstream arts organizations frequently siphon attendance, artistic talent and donations from Latino and black companies when they put on black- or Latino-themed performances or exhibitions.

There are numerous multicultural organizations struggling, and many are in desperate situations. Despite the important work they produce, they're often "plagued by chronic financial difficulties that place severe limits on what can be produced, how much can be produced, how many artists are trained, and how many people are served."

DeVos Institute researchers used tax returns from the 30 largest African American and 30 largest Latino nonprofit arts companies nationwide. The multicultural theaters, dance institutes and museums were compared to 20 of the biggest companies in those fields. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the New York-based touring company, has a national audience and donor base, and it's the only multicultural arts company to annually spend more than $5 million during the 2009 to 2013 period. Meanwhile, the median annual spending for big arts groups on the DeVos list was $61.1 million in 2013. However, the 20 largest African American and Latino arts groups have a $3.8-million median budget.

Multicultural-focused arts organizations have difficulty attracting private, individual donors. Wealthy donors are capable of transforming organizations, but a large base of individual backers who loyally give smaller amounts could also grow an organization. Unfortunately, many multicultural-focused groups don't necessarily have either. Less than half (29 of 60) of Latino and black art groups received moderate donations from 5 percent of individual donors, while 60 percent of individuals gave to big mainstream arts organizations.

Additionally, multicultural arts organizations also lag behind when it comes to box office receipts and other earned revenue. Approximately 40 percent of revenue comes from earned money, compared with big mainstream groups, where earned money accounted for 59 percent of their revenue.

The study authors believe that black or Latino companies are frequently left behind so their stronger peers might grow. Even when well-intentioned, talent is plucked from smaller companies in their diversification efforts. They poach artists, performers and directors of color from organizations of color, and it's made possible because the better-funded mainstream companies have wealth. There are fewer resources available to multicultural organizations, making it more difficult to create the size and quality of work that draws more donors and audiences.

The report recommended that diverse art groups and prospective funders forgo campaigns to build new facilities, which can attract large donations. Also, groups should focus on boosting programs ahead of improving venues. Additionally, it suggests that better-funded mainstream companies co-produce star-powered production of well-known titles with small companies of color. The DeVos Institute "hopes that leaders of every community will be moved to work together to ensure that the arts of every segment of our varied society are allowed to thrive."