Everything about the way we consume art and culture was flipped on its head over the last year. Museums are on TikTok, plays are being told through the post and orchestras all across the country are playing personal shows in our living room via our phones.
So, at Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy we wanted to take a step back for a second. Organisations everywhere are finding new and innovative ways to deliver their projects, so it only seems fair that fundraisers step up and find new and innovative ways to fund them. Let’s face it, we probably won’t be shaking a collection bucket in someone’s face or hosting large fancy gatherings for some time now. So, why not make the most of this time and find new ways to fundraise?
This December, we put a call out to the sector asking you for your most innovative fundraising ideas, and we were delighted by the response. We awarded a grand prize of £1000 to the four most inventive ideas, and we can’t wait to share their success with you as the year goes on. For now, here is a little introduction to the worthy winners:
Ventnor Exchange –
The Ventnor Exchange is a daytime hub with records and coffee, and a night time intimate venue to catch award winning theatre, comedy and concerts. As a social enterprise, all of the income generated from Ventnor Exchange is used to fund projects that develop the cultural offer of the area, and support opportunities for the next generation.
They will be using the funds to support them in launching a new subscription model which allows ‘subscribers’ unlimited free theatre tickets for a monthly price. This has the twin aims of keeping events affordable to all, and helping them to create a more sustainable, reliable income source.
Creative Youth Charity –
Creative Youth is a charity that aims to enable all young people to realise their potential through the Arts. The charity allows young people in Kingston and surrounding areas to be involved in innovative, original, ambitious projects working with artists of the highest quality.
They are creating a brand new mobile smart phone keyboard in partnership with tech company Mocha Global. The app aims to strengthen the charity’s existing relationships with audiences by helping them access the charities’ latest updates with one click. It will also grow philanthropic income through receiving a small percentage of audiences and supporters’ online spending via their keyboard.
Blackburne House –
Blackburne House is a Liverpool-based charity that supports the development of local - and often vulnerable - women. With a core focus on education, they offer a wide range of nationally-recognised courses and qualifications to women - particularly in sectors in which women are still under-represented. Set in a Grade II-listed building in the heart of Liverpool's Georgian Quarter, they enable women to learn and grow in a safe environment.
They will be using to the money to help fund the creation of a documentary style film showcasing their work. They will then use this film to show funders, raise awareness of their work and attract new women to the house to learn.
Southern Maltings –
The Southern Maltings is an artistic space dedicated to providing creative experiences that will enhance the health and well-being of the local and wider community. Through the provision of opportunities to learn, practice and experience creativity, they enable people of all ages and abilities to explore, experience and enjoy both their own and others’ artistic endeavours.
For their fundraising idea they will be selling seeds for vegetables and flowers, all in specifically designed Southern Maltings branding, for their local community. Hosting a 'plant a seed day' at the Maltings, they will ask the community to come and plant as part of their community garden, take part in accompanying activities, as well as planting seeds in their own home and taking a little bit of the Maltings with them.
Congratulations to all four organisations and their innovative fundraising ideas. We’ll be checking in throughout the year with the organisations and sharing their plans and progress in a little more detail.
We can’t wait to see more of your innovative fundraising throughout 2021!
