Need some help with fundraising for a creative project?
We have some practical ideas and opportunities that might help you get started, from our Fundraising Manager Yvonne. We aren’t able to help write an application for you, but we hope this support and signposting to opportunities will set you on your way to success.
Here are some of the ways we can offer support:
Funding one-to-one advice sessions
Do you have a question? Or need some advice? Why not arrange an online chat (in the first instance) with Yvonne. Please email yvonne@creativeblackcountry.co.uk to find out how to book a free half hour slot.
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 and host events that offer tips and advice for successful fundraising.
Our next event is on the 9th October, 2025 at Gazebo Theatre in Education in Bilston from 10am - 2.30pm. Booking is now open, click here .
Creative Black Country’s Fundraising Fellowship Scheme
The scheme is an initiative to boost fundraising for arts and culture activities in the region with support from Amy Dalton Hardy who offers her insights and experience.
The scheme is 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).
The current 2025 scheme is underway. Make sure you sign up to our network email for future opportunities.
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.
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.
