Key modules
Strategy tools
We’ll offer sophisticated and powerful tools to help participants build a strategic fundraising plan for both capital and revenue projects, ranging from =mc’s 7-stage model to the donor ladder.
Researching sources
At the heart of good fundraising is good information. This session covers how to find out about funding sources and how to set up an information system that will identify potential sources.
Choosing a legal structure
Arts and cultural organisations are changing their legal structures – setting up trading companies, dividing into strategic business units, establishing development trusts.
Raising money for local authority projects
There are particular challenges and issues for anyone involved in local government trying to raise money for the arts: museums, galleries, festivals, etc. This session looks at the way to succeed.
The National Lottery
We’ll have the latest information on how the lottery works, and how to pitch a bid to achieve maximum advantage. We’ll also demonstrate how to establish a major capital campaign to complement a lottery bid.
Improving promotional material
How do potential donors and sponsors react to participants’ promotional material? We offer insights into what works and what doesn’t, both for sponsorship and trusts.
Sponsorship pitches
We show how to pitch to sponsors and how to get ideas across quickly, effectively and in a way they’ll understand. Participants also get feedback on their ideas and approaches.
Trust and foundation fundraising
UK foundations still give away almost £700M annually, and arts and cultural organisations can secure a share. But increasingly there are opportunities to access US and Japanese foundations – we also look at the international league.
Business sponsorship versus company giving
Both sponsorship and company giving are growing. Understanding the difference and exploiting it will improve participants’ ability to raise corporate funds.
Major appeals
Large capital programmes or endowments – £200K or more – need particular skills and approaches. Through case studies, we introduce the stages in a successful major appeal and help participants decide if it’s for them.
Setting up a development board
Not many fundraisers can do everything on their own and so will need to set up a development board. Who should be on that board and what skills should both they and the fundraiser have.
Effective proposal writing
This linked series of sessions explores in-depth how to write a proposal that puts the case effectively to any potential giver. We go through the common pitfalls and show how to avoid them.
Tax breaks
Understanding the tax breaks associated with various forms of donation can dramatically improve income. This session explains the differences in various forms of tax-effective giving and how to exploit them.
Legacies
If correctly marketed, bequests from members, friends and users of an organisation can be a huge potential source of funds. We show how to launch a legacy marketing drive that produces results.
Relationship fundraising
Many organisations have a large body of members who can help financially. How do they persuade these supporters to work with them in a way that suits them and the organisation, using the techniques of relationship fundraising.
Action planning
This session concentrates on distilling the next steps participants have to take to improve their fundraising approach. Tutors give intensive coaching on how to put plans into action and help them draw up key strategies for the period after they return from the School.
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