Crowdsourced Fundraising Tips For Producers and Artists
I recently ran a fundraising masterclass for the National Theatre Young Producers, and popped a call-out on Twitter for your best fundraising tips to give them as a hand-out after the session. Many thanks to everybody who replied - here they all are, collated!
“Find the RIGHT funding for your project, rather than make a project to fit some funding. If it doesn’t feel like a good fit when you’re writing it or having a conversation about it, that’s a red flag. Know what you’re willing to compromise on.”
Hannah Vallis, Learning Manager – Hepworth Museum
“Don’t ask for too little because you think you’re more likely to be successful in your bid. Be confident in valuing your time, it actually makes you look more professional most of the time. Also hold on to your mentors because they make great proof-readers!”
David Sheppeard, Independent Producer & Marlborough Theatre
“You need to sustain the promotion of a crowdfunder throughout without people getting sick of the message. Varied content is a must! It’s easy to go all out in the first week and then get stuck.”
Amy Fisher, Producer – Stephen Joseph Theatre
“Almost every ACE app I've ever consulted on has fallen down on the public engagement section. Target audiences have to be so. Very. Defined. And you have to know where they are, and that they probably want to come and do your thing!”
Flo O’Mahoney, Artistic Director – We Are Zoo
“Even if it’s project-only funding, find ways to cover at least some of the core costs for your organisation or company, if you have one. Project management, marketing, website etc can all be factored in.”
Sarah Miguel, Head of Development – People’s History Museum
“Most ACE apps are about risk management as much as they are about quality. Does your plan for the activity make sense? Have you got an appropriate amount of confirmed match funding? Have NPOs invested in you in time/space/money? The lower the risk, the more likely the money.”
Daisy Hale, Independent Producer
“Don’t be reticent to let artists or community participants co-write applications. Often funders want to hear about the activity in plain English!”
Lynda Jackson, Museum Manager – Judge’s Lodgings
“Even if you are doing all the jobs yourself put them clearly in separate budget lines. And know that costing a project jumps significantly when you move from informal-scraped-the-money-together to funded-and-paying-everyone-union-rates.”
Sandy Thomson, Director and Writer
“Contingency budget! Never forget/undervalue your own fee. Give as much runway as possible. 6-12 weeks is average for decisions. One "rejection" could add months. For a crowdfunder, secure a significant amount in advance & ask them to donate when momentum dips in the last third.”
Amahra Spence, Artist and Writer
“Aim higher than you think you should; you might not get it but forming relationships really matters. For Crowdfunding; It all happens in the first three days and the last three days (and crowdfunding can be REALLY stressful, so be feeling strong and ready for that)”
“Record EVERYTHING! Get a video each time you share a performance, R&D, reading. Even if it’s a shitty phone video, it will help you infinitely.”
Ben Quashie, Artistic Director Nuu Theatre
“Keep every freesheet from every show you go to – it lists funders and supporters (as well as creatives/potential collaborators). I reference my big box of papers all the time!”
Emily Davis, Producer - Farnham Maltings
“You *will* get rejections, so find plenty of baskets to put your eggs in, and try not to take rejections too much to heart (they’re often a reflection of the funder’s priorities, not the value of your project)”
Kathryn Welch, Freelance Creative
“Good communication comes before successful fundraising: if people don’t know who you are and what you do, they are unlikely to support you.”
Sophie Stanes, Fundraiser – Cardinal Hume Centre
“People don’t actually mind being reminded of the crowdfunder multiple times - most people need to be prodded twice or thrice before they actually do it, so being diffident doesn’t help you at all.”
“Don’t be afraid to reach out to other creatives who have more experience than you. We all started somewhere & you’d be amazed how generous people can be with sharing their knowledge if you offer to buy them a cuppa.”
“Take on board advice from funding officers but ultimately make sure you propose the project you want to do and not the one you think will get you the funding.”
Tessa Buddle, Theatre-maker – Suitcase Ensemble
“Audience engagement. Have a strategy, a target demographic, money for marketing (got to spend money to make money), know the lingo like culture-based segmentation and how you can access that audience. And obviously... never undervalue the power of in-kind!”
“Save time - look for similar companies and find out who funds them. Start a spreadsheet now with deadlines, result dates and submitted date so you never have to wrack a brain for when you last applied or miss the deadline by 5 hours...”
“Funding officers/grant managers are actually your best advocates. Often they are the ones who have to make the case for your project to their board. What do they need for a perfect pitch? Your application helps them make the case & be in your corner.”
Lora Krasteva, Producer and Theatre-Maker
Don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter - @LindaBxx - for #OpportunityTuesday, a list of ten PAID opportunities for artists including grants, commissions, pots of money and lots more – 10 new ones posted every Tuesday!