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Voluntary Arts Ireland > Funding > Introduction FOCUS ON FUNDRAISING Introduction Funding – or rather finding it – tends to be a preoccupation in the arts sector.
Volunteer-led arts groups are good at earning through sales and fees and rely less on grant aid than the rest of the voluntary and community sector. Nonetheless, small grants from local authorities are vital to many, and in Northern Ireland, Lottery grants through Awards for All have enabled many smaller groups to develop their work.
The funding environment is changing rapidly. The focus on the role voluntary groups have in delivering public services means that smaller groups and smallish grants could feel the pinch the most.
You can find out more about the funding ennvironment in Voluntary Arts Ireland's 2007 report 'Small Grants, Big Change'.
If you are responsible for finding the funds for your group, then there are a range of ways that Voluntary Arts Ireland can help you to keep up to date with funding opportunities and skills. What's on our website to help you fundraise What do you need? What a small drama club needs is very different to what an association for a particular art form needs. Different funders will have different interests, so the places you look for funding vary too. Voluntary Arts Ireland is able to offer guidance on a wide range of fundraising options and issues such as - Local Authority, Awards for All - Small to medium size grants for direct action by local groups, often but not always tied to social/economic agenda Local fundraising & events - Low to middling income, not tied so can be spent as you need Sales, Earnings, Membership Fees - Small to large income that gives independence from funders’ agenda Sponsorship - Small to large income that can also bring useful networks. Requires a return to funder, but less bound by social/economic agenda Trusts, Lottery - Small to large grants. Usually for specific project. Requires time to apply and report. Arts Councils - Medium to large grants, some for running costs, others for projects. Need a solid proposal, reputation and track record. Requires time to apply and report. Government Departments - Medium to large grants for projects that fall outside of Arts Councils remit or have attracted Departmental attention. Usually require significant input to application and reporting. European Programmes - Special grant programmes, with specific aims. Most require significant preparation and reporting. Direct Mail - Small to large income. This requires investment and can take a few years to pay off, but gives a steady independent income in long run and adds to public awareness. Major Gift Campaigns - Major income or moderate income from the interest on the sum raised. Requires investment and can take a few years to pay off, but gives good returns and builds networks Legacies - Can provide a large and independent income but needs investment, a few years start up and good contacts/friends lists to start. Reporting & Accounting - How do you do it? What are the best measures for voluntary arts? How do you assess the arts bit and the voluntary bit and the social or economic bit? |
