Need some help with fundraising for a creative project?

We have some practical ideas and opportunities below that might help you get started, from our Fundraising Manager Yvonne.

We aren’t able to help write an application for you, we hope this support and signposting to opportunities will set you on your way to success.

CBC’s Fundraising Scheme is back for 2024

CBC’s initiative to boost fundraising for arts and culture activities in the region is back for a 3rd year.

If you are looking for some advice and support to develop a creative project, there are two ways to be involved, either:

• Fellow - Would you benefit from some one-to-one support? If so, you could come along to one of our Funding Surgeries and from there we could link you with an arts fundraising Mentor if appropriate. 

• Arts Council Peer Working Group  - Are you thinking of applying to the Arts Council for a  Project Grant (under £30k) for the first time? Do you feel like you need more confidence to apply or have you have been declined in the past? We are creating a small peer group to go through the application process together with expert input from fundraising consultants and an opportunity for one-to-one feedback.

Who is the scheme for?

Any community group, small CIC, charity, festival/event or creative organisation who wants to develop creative or cultural ideas/projects in the Black Country (Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall or Wolverhampton).

Timescale

There is limited availability so please register interest by 5pm on 31st July 2024.
Outcome – successful or not will be notified by 21st August 2024.
Scheme to begin in September 2024.

Please complete the short form here to register interest. Places are limited.

Black Country Funding Network for Arts and Culture

Are you looking for some help with any aspect of funding or fundraising? Would you like to connect with others in the region? or hear about funding opportunities?

CBC has a free funding network for anyone in the arts and culture sector in the Black Country. The network can connect fundraisers, or anyone who needs to fundraise, also provide the space, dialogue, support and opportunities for future partnership working. We aim for a more joined up approach – complementary not competitive – and avoid duplicating funding requests.

We share funding opportunities through regular emails.

We also host events that offer tips and advice for successful fundraising.

The network was initially supported by Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy.

CBC Funding Network Event - Access Support for Funding Applications – catch up with our online session

Did you know that some funders provide support to make their application process more accessible? 
Including Arts Council England (ACE), National Lottery Heritage Fund and Paul Hamlyn Foundation
If you’re D/deaf, disabled or have a physical or mental health condition, or neurodivergence that makes funding applications, information and systems less accessible to you there is support available. 
This support can include help with reading their guidance or making an application.
Have a look at our online session and pdf which highlights some of the funders that provide access support and explains the process for getting that support. (Although the live session included BSL interpreters they are not seen on the video, however captions can be enabled)

Session delivered by Jenny from Curiosity Productions, who has supported many creatives to get the support they need. 

New Funding Surgeries

Do you have a question? Or need some advice in person?

Why not pop along to one of our new funding surgeries taking place across the region in 2024.

Please email yvonne@creativeblackcountry.co.uk to find out dates and venues and book a place for a half an hour slot.

Fundraising Tips:

Are you new to fundraising? Maybe you’ve received some seed money through CBC’s Creative Communities and wondering where to go next?

We’ve put together some tips for where to look for funding and where you might get some extra help. Download our tips here as a pdf.

Creative Black Country is a Creative People and Places Programme primarily funded by Arts Council, England. CBC has to raise the remaining funding from elsewhere in order to make our work with communities possible. We have a Fundraising Manager, Yvonne Gregory, whose role it is to maintain and develop relationships with funders and supporters.

Yvonne’s remit also goes wider to help support the arts and culture sector to attract more funding into the region.