Developing a fundraising strategy
Evidence demonstrates that the most effective fundraising organisations have a strategic approach, which connects their fundraising to their strategic plans and advocacy work. However, in a recent survey of repositories only 33% of respondents had a fundraising strategy.
We advise archive services to develop a strategic approach to fundraising. This should include:
- creating a case statement, evidencing the need for funding support
- an analysis of potential funding sources and who might be competing for these
- identifying appropriate funding techniques and the resources needed to implement them
- outlining responsibilities within the organisation relating to delivering the strategy
- setting targets and realistic timescales
- identifying a budget for implementation
We also provide guidance on managing performance and strengthening governance for archive services.
Other archive services have found the following resources helpful in preparing their strategies:
Websites
- Association of Independent Museums: a respected sector group, consulted on national policy and providing a thriving network for members
- The Directory of Social Change publishes a wide range of books on fundraising topics. This is a general overview of principles and strategies, funding sources and fundraising techniques
- The Heritage Alliance: a guide to sources of financial support for anyone undertaking creative projects related to the UK's heritage
- How2fundraise.org: run by the Institute of Fundraising, it provides useful 'know-how' to help with planning fundraising activities
- Institute of Fundraising: the professional membership body for UK fundraising. This website has a range of freely accessible information on fundraising practice and regulation. The Information About fundraising page provides links to information about a range of fundraising techniques
- Mission models money: working to transform the way the arts use their resources to support the creation and experience of art
- Museums Practice, January 2008: targeted at museums and is accessible to members of the Museums Association, or subscribers to Museum Practice
- Catalyst Arts: Podcast of presentation by Jennifer Davies, Development Director, Philharmonia Orchestra on 'Strategy, structures, systems' from Catalyst Arts: Fundraising and capacity building workshops (2011)
PDFs
- J Saxton, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme! A guide for organisations new to fundraising or just starting out raising money (nfpSynergy, March 2011): an outline of basic rules for fundraising for charities, and summarises advantages and disadvantages of various approaches including projections of return on investment
- Introducing funding and finance for voluntary and community organisations (NCVO, February 2007): a basic guide focusing on supporting voluntary and community organisations to develop sustainable funding streams
Print publications
- N Botting and M Norton, The complete fundraising handbook (Directory of Social Change, fifth edition, January 2007)
- E Anderson and A de Mille, Fundraising for museums (second edition, Association of Independent Museums, April 2006) provides an outline of basic rules for fundraising for museums, and summarises the risks and cost/benefit of various fundraising approaches
Older guidance
The following older guidance, targeted at archives, may be of interest for reference:
- J Lomax, S Palmer, G Jefcoate, S Kenna, revised by R Sully, A guide to additional sources of funding and revenue for libraries and archives (British Library, 2000)
- Guide to giving value: Funding priorities for UK archives 2005-2010 (PDF) (National Council on Archives, 2005)
Other resources on our website
Read case studies and find out about lottery and public funding sources, and private funding sources.
