Programme outline

The programme was the most challenging, fun and rigorous training I’ve ever experienced. It has transformed my approach to fundraising and given me the confidence and tools to plan and deliver a new fundraising strategy.

Clare Norburn, Co-Artistic Director, Brighton Early Music Festival

NAFS was a truly inspirational and highly relevant programme. The use of real examples from people with direct experience in arts fundraising was invaluable. It's given me a clearer focus on my fundraising strategy and the confidence to put the learning into practice! Many thanks to the course leaders for their engaging presentations that put all the theory into context.

Sarah Giles, Development Officer, Hall for Cornwall

The course was informative, useful and facilitated well.The networking opportunities were invaluable - I really enjoyed having both the delegates' experiences and the trainers knowledge to draw on. On par with, or even better than, sliced bread or getting the green light on Brighton & Hove Albion's new stadium!

Alan Issler, Principal Library Manager, Brighton & Hove City Library Services

I never imagined that I would gain so much from one week. I've got more knowledge about fundraising, but the knowledge is just the tip of the iceberg – I learnt so much from other arts organisations and gained a raft of transferable skills. I owe much of this to the trainers, who personally invested in the week with their transformative energy.

Paul Fitzpatrick, Producer, Catherine Wheels Theatre Company

The course was brilliant – the best training course I’ve been on! The whole structure was great and carefully balanced. The trainers delivered a wide variety of topics, while not compromising on detail. The exercises, mixed with the tools and theory, helped me clarify my thinking and apply the learning to deliver more effective fundraising.

Michael Hance, Director, Scots Language Resource Centre

I really can't fault the course. The trainers achieved a perfect balance of knowledge and experience with effective and fun delivery methods. The whole week was both inspirational and hugely informative, and I would recommend this to those who are both experienced and new to fundraising.

Annie Davies, Corporate Development Officer, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

The School gave me a range of incredibly useful fundraising tools. I immediately applied this to my fundraising strategy and have had numerous successes leading up to the opening of The Lightbox. It was an inspirational and transformative week - a really worthwhile investment!

Sarah Bayes, Development Manager, The Lightbox, Museum and Gallery

The course is crucial for opening up new avenues of funding opportunities that many in the arts have probably never even considered. As a relatively small organisation, I was delighted when I made a successfull pitch and raised £6,000.

Rachel Smillie, Director, The Village Storytelling Centre

I would absolutely recommend NAFS to others and I have already suggested that my colleagues get to experience it. It was hard work, very informative and overall an excellent few days. I learnt so much to apply to my fundraising strategy!

Paula Thelwell, Head of Business Development, Jersey Heritage Trust

This has been by far the best training course I have been on. The sessions were all practical, fun and highly-engaging - all of which helped me to absorb loads of new information. I learnt so much about fundraising that I feel I can go back to work and make a real differnce. A big thank you to the trainers - you really opened my eyes about what 'real' fundraising should be about.

Marge Ainsley, Marketing & Development Manager, Harris Museum & Art Gallery

NAFS has boosted my confidence and was extremely valuable. The individual feedback was some of the most useful feedback I have ever received in a professional context. I thought the trainers did a brilliant job to command our attention for so long! Overall I had a great time, I had fun and I learnt loads.

Kate Hilton, Marketing Officer, Kirkgate Centre

For the first time I understood in detail the whole spectrum of fundraising sources available to the arts and the different approaches needed to secure them. I now feel much more confident about delivering our campaigns – and approaching new sources which I would not have previously considered

Jackie McNerney, General Manager, Kneehigh Theatre