Fundraising Management: Sponsorship, Philanthropy, and the State
Building an arts charity during a time of austerity and arts cuts
Fundraising Management; Sponsorship, Philanthropy and the State
Arts Emergency helps young people flourish in higher education and the cultural industries.
We currently run mentoring projects in London, Manchester, and Merseyside. Our Network members offer crucial gateways into hard to crack industries like TV, publishing and architecture.
Legends and co-founders
Founding Manifesto
There are things that are bigger and better than money. We have things that those in power will never understand.
We take it as a given that a civilised society values education, lifelong learning and creativity as a public good.
We are a social justice not social mobility organisation. Arts Emergency is no substitute for justice withheld.
Be fearless. You are just as entitled as anyone to have the life you want.
There is no recession of the imagination.
The future is another place. Allow yourself to believe a better life is possible. Say it loud, defiantly, to everyone.
Be generous. Now be more generous. Share your privilege.
Do something. Start small, start local, keep going.
Optimism is a weapon and if all else fails be silly.
Alternative Old Boys Network
CHARITIES CAN NOT HAVE A POLITICAL PURPOSE!!
***(but we can campaign in pursuit of our charitable aims!)
My ride or die
Korantema, Community Manager
Why have I been asked to speak today?
Arts Emergency is an interesting case study when thinking about fundraising:
Set up BECAUSE of cuts!
Established through crowdfunding and events fundraising
This allowed us to build a long term programme, through unrestricted gifts
A lot of support is through word of mouth or social media (mainly twitter)
Many of our peers have been sustained by either corporate giving or by relying on project funding
Pros and Cons of Individual Giving
Pro’s
Freedom of unrestricted gifts!
Sustainable longterm
People are invested in you and therefore might combine donation with volunteering or community fundraising!
Con’s
Slow-growing
Recessions are a risk!
Reliance on social media
Panic! It’s an Arts Emergency, 2018
by Professor Dave o’Brien, Dr Orian Brooks and Dr Mark Taylor
A moment of realisation for the sector and a turning point for Arts Emergency
PANIC
We rely on our reputation - Panic - and how we evaluate
THE ARTS ARE PREDOMINANTLY WHITE AND MIDDLE CLASS
MERITOCRACY IS A MYTH
THE ARTS HAVE LIBERAL ATTITUDES, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY
LET’S GET FINANCIAL
Financial Year: 2017-2018
Total raised: £200,121
Enter: Lucy Newton, Fundraising Manager
Financial Year: 2020-2021
Total raised: £516,452
FY20-21 income portfolio
| Income | Original budget (£) | Reforecast budget (£) | FINAL IN (£) | Variance to reforecast (£) | Income % |
| Monthly donations | 174,300 | 186,629 | 186,955 | 326 | 36% |
| One off donations (incl bursars) | 41,600 | 35,200 | 35,666 | 466 | 7% |
| Major donors | 85,800 | 109,800 | 102,152 | -7,648 | 20% |
| Gift Aid | 28,500 | 36,000 | 40,000 | 4,000 | 7% |
| Trust donations | 105,000 | 79,600 | 75,422 | -4,178 | 15% |
| Corporate donations | 10,420 | 14,408 | 17,329 | 2,921 | 3% |
| Earned income | 8,377 | 10,859 | 11,525 | 666 | 2% |
| Challenge events/in aid of | 7,000 | 48,410 | 50,565 | 2,155 | 10% |
| Other (incl in memory) | 1,000 | 696 | 570 | -126 | >0% |
| Total income | 461,997 | 521,602 | 520,184 | -1,418 |
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Other markers of success
| 2020-21 starting point | Goal for 2021-22 | Notes | |
| Average one-off gift (not including Bursars) | £54.13 | £57 | Average cash gift in UK in 2020 = £49 |
| Average monthly gift | £8.28 | £8.68 | Average reg gift in UK in 2020 = £10, and £12 for charities our size. July 2021 had av gift of £8.48. |
| % of new network members donating | 14% | 20% | Long-term goal = 35% in FY24-25 |
| Total % of network donating | 18% | 22% | Long-term goal = 30% in FY24-25 |
| Donate web page conversion rate | 62% (new website) | 65% | Ranges from 39% (bad) to 67% good mobile responsive site. |
| Number of increased monthly donations | 7 (counting from October) | 20 | Encouraging this more this year, with 7 from campaign already |
| % of donors with Gift Aid declared | 52% | 58% | FY19-20 contacts with GA declared was 40% |
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How do we compare to other similar charities?
https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/
Things you can tell about Arts Emergency
How to access that information
NOW LET’S LOOK AT THE BIGGEST NPO* IN SHEFFIELD
*NATIONAL PORTFOLIO ORGANISATION, ARTS COUNCIL
Opera North - 41,544,000
Sheffield Theatres Trust - 5,119,460 over 3 years
TASK:
Working in pairs, choose a charity, search for them on the charity commission and summarise how they are funded.
15 mins
What next for Arts Emergency?
Organisational Strategic Review
New chair and board members joining this year
New 3 year plan!
On programmes: continue to build on our community offering
Fundraising: Likely continue to diversify fundraising and spend more time on individuals, trusts and foundations
If you’d like to follow along we are @artsemergency on most platforms
If you’d like to get in touch carys@arts-emergency.org or @carysnelkon