Southeastern Connecticut residents and taxpayers customarily have a generous attitude toward not-for-profit institutions. Recognizing the contribution made by colleges, hospitals, museums and other nonprofits to their quality of life, many find it in their hearts and wallets to support such institutions in their missions.

So it's understandable that the trustees and administration of Lyme Academy of Fine Arts might look for support from the town of Old Lyme, its host community. Lyme Academy is at a critical point, having been cut loose by the University of New Haven and not yet able to secure an affiliation with another higher education institution.

Perhaps trustees simply figured it was worth a try when they asked the Old Lyme Board of Finance in March for a "special allocation" of $102,500 to help tide the college through the upcoming academic year. The town has customarily given the college about $12,500 a year toward capital expenses but had eliminated any aid in the proposed budget for fiscal year 2020.

A bridge loan, even a forgivable one, might be reasonable from a community grateful for the good attention the Lyme Academy has brought to Old Lyme. But trustees and administrators with their hands out, late in the budgeting process and without firm plans, doesn't match up with the way a town spends its taxpayer dollars. The finance board turned down the request, even though academy officials updated some details of financial operations upon request.

As they stated, they are trying to buy a year to work something out to replace UNH oversight and credentials. They have nothing yet to show for their efforts.

It's a tough spot to be in. The worst ask in fundraising is the request for a savior, whether it's an individual, a business or a host town, to keep a nonprofit institution from closing. In effect that is a request to help pay the bills before time runs out.

One thing that can help is transparency. Providing all the numbers — assets, liabilities, planned budget — assures potential supporters that the institution can in fact provide them, that it has a handle on fiscal realities. Only then should serious negotiations for assistance begin.

It is also essential to show support from other quarters. Not only does that help with the finances, it gives testimony that others consider the cause one that is worth donating to. That increases the credibility of the request. Academy officials reported board member pledges and gifts totaling $165,000, but they need to broaden the base of support if they are to make a compelling case.

Most critical is a clear vision of the future to communicate to potential givers. That cannot be fully described unless and until there is a new arrangement. Yet even the interim budgeting seems soft; are there estimates for faculty salaries, and how will they be met? Is the school going to use up all of its unrestricted endowment to make ends meet, or is it not?

What will happen to the campus if no affiliation is reached? Lyme Academy, which recently dropped "College" from its title, began granting Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in 1996 after decades as an esteemed art school and only affiliated with the University of New Haven in 2014. Officials have said, however, that a "back to the future" approach would not work.

The Day wishes Lyme Academy a speedy recovery from this crisis and commends the town for remaining open to a later request, if help is still needed and there is evidence of tuition income and fundraising success.

The academy needs to work hard at individual fundraising, because its greatest asset and most powerful argument is a personal one: its reputation. This is an institution that does fine work; its closing would be a great loss.

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.