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Fundraising in lockdown NAOMI CHAPMAN, Development Associate, Cause4
The Covid-19 Pandemic has led to mass closure of arts venues, and the loss of a significant income source for the sector. Can we use virtual tools or events to create compelling fundraising events for the sector in a time of crisis?
The cultural sector relies on people coming together to make, experience, and fundraise for culture. In 2016/17, across the then Arts Council England National Portfolio (NPOs), an average of 35.6% of income was earned, with the vast majority of this coming from core activity, including ticket sales. In 2016/17, NPOs had on average 12 weeks’ worth of unrestricted, undesignated funds. If the closures that are in place across the cultural industry due to COVID-19 are going to last for at least 12 weeks, we need to get creative about how we can fundraise to ensure the sustainability of individual organisations and the sector. We’ve been looking to find examples of the best virtual fundraising events that we’ve seen, and tips for how you might adapt these for your organisation. Remember if arts organisations can translate the value of their events online and bring benefits to
