We are having our final group meeting for London and South West Fellows today. We want to thank you for all of the dedication, commitment, new ideas and sheer energy you have brought to the Fellowships. You have all contributed to making this programme such a success.

As well as our own thanks, below is a personal note from Sir Peter Bazalgette to you all.

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Dear Year One Arts Fundraising Fellows,

I’m writing to thank you for all of your hard work, dedication to learning, and commitment to the Fellowships programme over the past year. I have followed your progress with a great deal of interest, and been struck by how much your own journeys have inspired others within the arts to become more involved in fundraising.

I know that you have received excellent support from your host organisations, who have led the way in demonstrating the importance of investing in the training of fundraising staff. I believe that the value you have given them back in return, both in terms of your fantastic fundraising success, and also the huge amount of capacity-building work you have undertaken, will help them to be stronger organisations in the future.

I am particularly pleased that your year’s activity will be formally accredited by the University of Leeds, through the first ever work-based Postgraduate Certificate in Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy. This academic endorsement gives added credibility and recognition to your important work.

You now have the chance to take on essential roles in the arts sector and I'm sure you will give back to the sector far more than you have received to date in terms of training and support. You have been an absolute credit to the Arts Fellowships programme, and I hope you will remain ambassadors for arts fundraising throughout your careers.

With very best wishes for the future,

Peter Bazalgette

Chair, Arts Council England