These 25 hints, rules and guidelines are the distillation of Michael Kaiser’s great experience in fundraising for the arts and cultural sector, and are a checklist for arts marketers, development and fundraising staff and those whose role covers both areas.

This overview explains what and economic impact study is, what it measures, and the benefits and drawbacks of the model in evidencing the value of the arts and cultural sectors – useful for fundraisers, development professionals and in advocacy. It explains terminology and what to watch out for if commissioning a study.

This report examines ways in which higher levels of philanthropy and increased fundraising capacity for the culture and heritage sector in England may be encouraged. It focuses on skills and training, fundraising leadership, partnering with other organisations, membership and friends schemes, payroll giving by organisation members, and celebrating people who give. It looks in particular ... Read more

A practical guide to making the most of entering into commercial partnerships with companies and the benefits that can bring such as the opportunity to raise funds and the ability better to understand the commercial sector.  With tips on how to avoid risk and avoid failure in legal compliance, this document can help organisations to ... Read more

A detailed breakdown of the many resources that are available to help you plan and execute your fundraising strategy, including printed and web based material, useful contacts and recommendations.

A step by step guide to what does and doesn’t qualify for Gift Aid.

We all know that running sponsored events can be a great way to raise money for your organisation, but did you know that you can increase the amount you raise by encouraging the people who sponsor to use their Gift Aid entitlement?  This guide shows you just how easy that can be.

Fundraising occupies a lot of our time in the cultural industries, and sometimes it can seems like it’s getting harder and harder to compete with larger, more established charitable organisations and their fundraising teams.  This research report highlights some of the reasons why smaller organisations might not be getting a bigger slice of the pie, ... Read more

This brief guide explains what crowdfunding is, what the benefits are for voluntary arts and crafts groups and gives some tips about how to use WeDidThis effectively.

This report reviews literature about endowments and other arts funding, to conclude that endowments are an underused tool in the English arts sector, but that they are not and can never be the whole answer. It suggests action that the Arts Council can take to support organisations at all levels of development, and the points ... Read more

This report is part of an on-going review of organisations who have received Arts Council England Catalyst funding to develop private sector fundraising. It aims to provide a benchmark for performance and to share learning so the wider arts community can learn from the experiences.

The Philanthropy in the Arts Agenda was launched in December 2010 and advocated a wide range of aspirations and proposals for encouraging higher levels of philanthropy to arts organisations. In 2011, arts organisations shared views on key aspects of the Agenda at that time. A year on, and Arts Quarter return to the cultural community to ... Read more

An insight into how The Natural History Museum aims to create life-long relationships with its visitors which rely on them being connected with all aspects of the Museum’s work.  For an organisation that has 40 different logos and a complex structure, this is no easy task, and this case study shows you how it can ... Read more

An in-depth study of voluntary and amateur arts groups and informal adult learning in the arts in England. Commissioned by DCMS and Arts Council England to improve the knowledge base on the voluntary and amateur arts sector in England, it is the first of its kind on a national scale and represents the first step ... Read more

Cultural organisations are increasingly looking at ways to encourage philanthropy. This factsheet outlines Legacy10, an independent campaign that was launched in 2011 to encourage charitable giving. You’ll find some key facts in terms of UK giving along with a list of campaign supporters for the Legacy10 campaign. There’s also an introduction to changes that were ... Read more

This non-arts case study demonstrates how to make effective use of an annual report. We learn how a charitable organisation, The Scotland Yard Adventure Centre (known as ‘The Yard’), with the help of Tayburn (brand and reputation agency), overhauled their annual report with incredible results. The Yard is a purpose built indoor and outdoor adventure ... Read more

In May 2010, Creative New Zealand commissioned the Allen Consulting Group to conduct research into private sector support for the arts, and to develop an action plan for increasing this support. The private sector – made up of individuals, trusts and foundations, and business – is the most viable source of external support for arts ... Read more

Established in 1903, the Art Fund is the national fundraising charity for art which helps museums and galleries across the UK to acquire great works of art in all forms and media, from treasure hoards and Old Master paintings to contemporary sculpture. Kerstin Glasow reviews how the Art Fund dramatically grew their membership base and increased ... Read more

Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG) is one of Europe’s leading ensembles – performing new and 20th century music, and regularly commissioning new works from living composers from the UK and abroad.  Over 20 years ago the BCMG launched its ‘Sound Investment’ scheme that allows people to invest in the commissioning costs of new work. Since 1991 ... Read more

A survey in 2013 by the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) of its members revealed a paradox that while audiences increased by 16% between 2009/10 and 2012/13, earned incomed declined by 11% in real terms. In this article, Mark Pemberton, Director of the ABO, considers whether there is a genuinely new “business model” that could be the salvation of ... Read more