The Fundamentals of Arts Fundraising

Understand the foundations of arts fundraising to build greater sustainability for arts organisations and artists.

Registrations for our Fundamentals of Arts Fundraising workshop are now open to organisations and individuals based in and around Yugambeh/Gold Coast.

The Fundamentals of Arts Fundraising workshop is ideal for arts organisations and artists looking for the know-how, confidence and inspiration to kickstart or grow income from philanthropy, donors, and business partners.

Join colleagues in your cultural sector gaining insights into national trends; reviewing essential fundraising principles including the differences between sponsorship and philanthropy; how to be fundraising ready; and strategic insights into crowdfunding, donor circles and trusts & foundations. The course will also explain how to find, retain and build relationships creating long term support using best practice stewardship.

The course will cover the opportunities and resources provided by the Australian Cultural Fund as well as outline matched funding programs provided by Creative Australia.

This workshop is ideal for:

Arts professionals who want to learn the basics of arts fundraising, philanthropy and sponsorship
Arts professionals with some fundraising experience and knowledge
or
Board members of arts organisations interested in diversifying their organisation’s income streams

This interactive workshop will cover:

Business partnerships
Philanthropy
How to make your organisation fundraising ready
Building a case for support
Fundraising strategies
How to develop a fundraising plan

And includes lunch, snacks and coffee/tea.

This is a chance to connect with your peers and learn from Creative Australia’s State Manager, Development & Partnerships (QLD), who will provide local perspective, case studies and insights on how to implement what you’ve learned.

“The ‘Fundamentals of Fundraising’ workshop was a valuable opportunity to consolidate my on-the-job learning as an emerging fundraiser. From the workshop I gained a better understanding of the ‘bigger picture’ of fundraising, which I have applied every day in my role.” – Sophia Halloway, National Gallery of Australia

“Attending the Fundamentals of Arts Fundraising was a really insightful experience, providing me with the knowledge and tools required to refresh our company’s private fundraising strategy” – Katy Green Loughrey, Powerhouse Youth Theatre

About the presenter:

Matthew Higgins brings a wealth of experience across various art forms and business models, drawing insights from non-profits of varying sizes in both regional and metropolitan settings and a history of successfully nurturing private sector support for arts and culture. With over a decade of experience across performing arts, festivals, major events, and community-engaged practice, his diverse skill set spans philanthropy, partnerships, marketing, producing, multi arts programming, strategic investment and more.

Before joining Creative Australia, Matthew worked in regional Queensland for Dancenorth Australia, where he significantly increased philanthropic support and grew audiences locally, nationally, and internationally. Matthew previously managed sponsorships for the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, produced and programmed major events and festivals for Sydney Mardi Gras, supported strategic investment in creative industries events for Destination NSW, and worked in programming teams at Brisbane Festival and Brisbane Powerhouse. As an independent producer, he has presented sell-out seasons at La Boite Theatre Company and World Theatre Festival. A City of Sydney Creative Fellowship recipient for his work with LGBTIQ+ artists, Matthew has also participated in an international leadership development program in Cyprus that focused on festivals in the aftermath of conflict and within contested spaces.

Matthew is a member of the Queensland Government’s LGBTIQ+ Roundtable and Brisbane Powerhouse’s Melt Open Reference Group, having previously served on Townsville City Council’s Inclusive Communities Advisory Committee and as a Peer Assessor for Arts Queensland.

He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drama) from Queensland University of Technology and is completing a Juris Doctor (Law) to further investigate the nexus of business, law, and creativity.