Fundraising Fundamentals

The funding context for arts education organisations is more challenging than ever, and with more pressure on both public funds, and trusts and foundations, there is a real need to be strategic in how times and resources are deployed in order to win support in an extremely competitive environment. Every organisation has different needs and challenges, and this online course will combine a mix of live groups sessions and one-on-one support in order to ensure that participants gain the maximum benefit from the series. Fundraising can be a lonely task, and whether you are a seasoned fundraiser who would like a second opinion on pitches, or someone new to the role without much previous experience,  Music Mark’s Fundraising Fundamentals will provide meaningful support and guidance for you to take away.

The series will be delivered by Music Mark’s Development Manager, Jamie Munn. Jamie works for a number of arts organisations on fundraising and development on a freelance basis, with more than a decade of experience in gaining support from Trusts and Foundations, and public funds on a local, national and European level. He lives in Scotland, after working for music-based organisations in Berlin, Nairobi, Mumbai, Dubai and Hong Kong, as well as leading projects in Cambodia, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, and Thailand. Previous work in the UK has included roles at Nevis Ensemble, Live Music Now Scotland, the European Music Council, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Glasgow UNESCO City of Music.

Jamie sits on the Board of Trustees for Drake Music Scotland, and Soundwaves, and is a Director of St Mary’s Music School. He studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow and the Universität der Künste in Berlin.

Session Plan:

Week 1 – Whole group
Introduction to the course, and discussion on funding context in which we exist. Creating budgets for the funders, and the what is best to include in applications for different kinds of funders.
Week 2 – Whole group
Designing a fundraising and development strategy, including a walk-through of different sources of funding including individual giving/crowdfunding, how to meet the aims and outcomes of funders, what do you need to consider for evaluation design, and what is your Plan B?
Week 3 – Individual sessions
Going through individual context; thinking about budgets for the year, fundraising targets, and what has been done before. Delegates are welcome to bring their questions and they will be given advice and support to put together a strategy. 40mins per delegate. Please note that these will be booked individually and not held at the usual session time.

BREAK WEEK

Week 4 – Whole group
As a group, discussing fundraising and development strategy, using learning from the individual sessions to share challenges and ideas. We will look at large multi-year funders and putting together a Case for Support.
Week 5 – Individual sessions
Follow up to the previous individual session, an opportunity for delegates to lead the conversation and discuss whatever they want or need. A final chance to go over applications and ‘mark’ it together, or review a strategy. 40mins per delegate. Please note that these will be booked individually and not held at the usual session time.
Week 6 – Whole group
Reflections and learnings on the course, and how to continue this learning as well as next steps.

Accessibility

• Technology: Zoom
• Captioning: AI-Generated
• Breakout rooms: TBC
• Recording: Whole group sessions will be recorded for the purpose of sharing with course delegates and only available for a time limited period after the session.

If you would like to request presentation slides, questions and provocations in advance of the session, please get in touch with info@musicmark.org.uk. Speakers may decline sharing this information on the basis of protecting their intellectual property or for other reasons and we cannot therefore guarantee availability for all events.