Brave Futures

Brave Futures

 

Brave Futures is a new programme from Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy to support organisations to plan for the medium term. Support will include reviewing business models, building dynamic future plans and making difficult decisions. We are currently accepting applications for the next cohort of Brave Futures organisations.

 

"Cultural organisations will need to become more entrepreneurial and develop business models that help them maximise income, reduce costs and become more financially resilient. We will expect them to look for opportunities to share services and explore mergers with other organisations."

- Let’s Create, Arts Council England

 

Transformational Change for Arts, Culture and Heritage Organisations 

The global context of 2023, with the cost of living crisis and ongoing impact of Covid-19, means that the arts, culture and heritage sectors may never go back to operating the way that they did before. New ways of delivering creative activity have emerged and a range of opportunities lie ahead. Sometimes, having conversations about change can be difficult. Organisations need structures and a confidential space to work through complex scenarios, for example, considering the viability of merging, of changing their operating model, or in some cases, thinking through how to wind up certain activites altogether. 

 

It is important that organisations have a confidential, experienced sounding board to work through scenario planning and to ensure that their mid-term business models are robust, achievable and capitalizing on the learning that they have experienced through the pandemic.  The Brave Futures programme is a strategic consultancy package led by Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy designed for arts, culture and heritage organisations that want to explore developing their business models in the mid-term.

 

Successful applicants will likely be experiencing substantial transition, a changing funding model, or perhaps new ways of working. The programme supports leaders and Trustees to work collaboratively to address future challenges, futureproof their business models and review their own viability.

 

The programme is developed bespoke to each individual organisation but likely outcomes include:

  • An agreed, tangible business plan for 3-5 years, aligned with current funding priorities; 
  • A refreshed sense of purpose in the leadership team;
  • An engaged board of Trustees, supportive of future plans. 

 

Shortlisted organisations will be contacted in November 2023, and we may hold brief discussions over the phone or in person to gather further information before appointment. The programme will begin in December 2023 and will run through to June 2024.

 

Expression of Interest proposals and any questions should be emailed to Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy Head of Programme, Annie Jarvis at annie.jarvis@cause4.co.uk no later than 12.00pm (noon) on 1st November 2023. Download the full specification below.