Welcome back to another blog post on the opportunities I've spotted on my online travels this month.
This is the fourth blog in the series, some of the opportunities aren't time sensitive so please check out other posts and sign up to funder mailing lists that feel aligned with your work;
First up, this incredibly useful blog from Northumberland based professional fundraiser Katherine Williams. Katherine shares her knowledge from a long career in fundraising for culture and heritage and some top tips.
Are you signed up to Arts Professional updates for events and jobs? Well worth being on their mailing list.
For individuals (writers, artists, creatives, makers)
Audio recording of our Arts Council's Developing your Creative Practise funding workshop attending by 20 participants. Leila at North East Cultural Freelancers and Claire at Culture Northumberland came together to answer questions, share notes on paying yourself properly and lots more about step change and ambition. Access it here for free. The next round of DYCP will open later this year.
Fundraising and sponsorship for your Creative project idea. I led this workshop for my creative community of artists, cics and ltd companies - If you are based in Northumberland, you are welcome to access it for free, please email if you'd like access.
New writing North and Channel 4 - writing for television award - £3000 up for grabs. More here.
How is your relationship with your local Town Council? Could you write to them about an idea you have to deliver activity in your town? Worth checking with individual towns how they would like to receive applications and whether they'll fund individuals.
Unpublished novelists over the age of 50 are invited to submit the first 5000 words of their novels to Jenny Brown Associates Literary Agency’s inaugural Debut Writers Over 50 Award. The winner will receive a £1000 cash prize and a week’s residential course at MoniackMhor, Scotland’s Creative Writing Centre. Runners up will be offered tailored mentoring. Deadline 31 May, find out more here.
Lots of us have been successful in applications to Creative UK's challenge fund - you can sign up for their emails for more news on new grants/ loans or read through their investment resources online.
For companies/ partnerships
Paul Hamlyn Foundation say - We want to widen access and deepen participation in the arts We believe in the power of the arts as a force for change, and one that enriches people’s lives and communities. We want to ensure that a wider and more diverse group of people have access to quality artistic practice, both as audiences and participants.
The Foyle Foundation say they want to support arts activity. Read more and apply here.
I don't know much about this organisation but thought it was worth exploring. Fund Onion say they match SME's with funders.
Have you explored/ set up opportunities for businesses/ corporate clients to support your work. Here's a great example by North East based theatre company Unfolding Theatre.
Could you support a local community or school to apply to Tescos for their community grant? You cant apply as a CIC but you could support another partner to apply in partnership with you?
Local School Nature Grants Programme Reopens for 2023 - Schools and early years providers in England, Scotland, and Wales can apply for training and resources to promote outdoor learning and make environmental improvements for the benefit of pupils, staff, and the local community. Learning Through Landscapes is offering outdoor learning training sessions and nature equipment for nurseries, schools, and other early-learning providers to promote outdoor learning for children. The Local School Nature Grants Scheme will provide a two-hour outdoor learning training session, along with an assortment of equipment up to the value of £500, including but limited to: Woodland activity kits, Growing kits, Seed packs, Gardening equipment, Pollinator kits, Solar light kits, Wildlife watching kits, Fireboxes. Priority will be given to applicants that include children in the decision-making process, such as through student councils or eco-committees. Projects that incorporate and benefit the local community, such as through volunteer opportunities or visual improvements to the local environment, are encouraged. Applicants must be employed by the school or early learning provider. Applications from PTA's, Governors, or 'Friends of' groups will not be accepted. There are four funding rounds in 2023.
The Big Give focus on match funding - there's a bit to get your head around but well worth signing up to read more.
Crowd Funding Capaigns from North East Artists.
This is a new section here for our monthly round-ups.
We'd like to shout out to any crowd funding campaigns from North East artists/ creators here so do let us know if you are planning one or perhaps have one live that we've missed this month? This is a brilliant example by my pal from overseas Sarah Shotts who is developing a picture book with another artist exploring neurodivergence. You'll see how everything is very clear and their video content grabs attention and explains the project.
Read more and support the crowd funding campaign.
A call out from an artist - let's make fundraising more accessible.
Read Trina's blog and help her with her funding research that will help us all to raise more funding for our beautiful businesses and project work.