Have you ever wondered what happens to your funding proposals after you click ‘submit’? Or mused on what conversations actually take place behind the closed doors of a grant-maker’s trustee meeting?
This is your chance to see for yourself!
www.trybooking.com/uk/FCDT
It's unforgivable planning, isn't it? Grantium always crashes, so the idea you'd knowingly schedule two big deadlines on the same day is incomprehensible
The inevitable website message from Arts Council England that says "we are currently experiencing some issues with Grantium due to high traffic on the portal. We are working to resolve this as soon as possible."
Top tip for @artscouncilengland.bsky.social -
If you know your rickety online application platform falls over whenever more than 5 people try to log on, don't set the deadline for two major funding rounds on the same day!
Can a cartoon raccoon show us how to get people to donate more frequently? Fundraising lessons from over 100 hours spent on a completely pointless endeavour
apollofundraising.com/blog/animal-...
After multiple failed attempts, the conch was blown at 10:37. The 2025 Barkley Marathons begins in one hour. #BM100.
Tell Trump he can have the unprecedented second state visit he so desperately craves...just as soon as all the territory stolen from Ukraine has been returned
Most importantly, it includes suggestions for where I think grants fundraisers should be focusing in 2025
What trends are you seeing? What recommendations would you add to this list?
apollofundraising.com/blog/grant-m...
By classifying changes to funders' criteria and processes as funders closing we miss seeing the nuance of what's actually happening and - more importantly - the changes that fundraisers need to make to succeed.
I've tried to summarise the most common changes & how I think they'll develop this year
It's likely that most funders will distribute the same amount in 2024 and 2025 as they have in previous years.
Different funders will make different changes to cope with the huge surge in applications they're seeing.
In this shifting landscape fundraisers also need to adapt.
What the **** is going on in grant-making this year?
With all this talk of funders "closing" you'd be excused for thinking the end is nigh for grant fundraising.
But closing to unsolicited applications doesn't mean funders are shutting up shop or running away from the fight
Are you:
* Looking to up your grant fundraising game in 2025?
* Keen to avoid the pitfalls others fall in to when writing proposals?
* Curious what it's like on the funder's side of the fence?
If you answered 'yes' to all 3, this online course could be for you!
www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...?
Big fan of New Years Eve parties that start at 3pm and finish at 9
This is your annual reminder that our medieval European ancestors did not diet or give up booze in January - the opposite. From Epiphany to Lent was Carnival season, feasting and celebration through the end of winter. The difficult personal-improvement stuff came later once the darkness had lifted.
Heading to a Christmas nativity this afternoon. Just been informed that the couple playing Mary and Joseph have recently split up. Also, one of the shepards normally comes dressed as a Dr Who character.
There is no way this can live up to expectations
Are you:
* Looking to up your grant fundraising game in 2025?
* Keen to avoid the pitfalls others fall in to when writing proposals?
* Curious what it's like on the funder's side of the fence?
If you answered 'yes' to all 3, this online course could be for you!
www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...?
Why "aesthetic beauty" is not a meaningful KPI for fundraising - aka what I learnt from covering my house in garish LED Christmas lights
apollofundraising.com/blog/the-mis...
It has been quite the year, so as a distraction from all that here are my WTF TV news moments from 2024 ✨
A bright white and purple neon star hangs in a window. Above, neon white icicles are hanging, flashing on and off. Out of shot, my partner looks on in despair
What fundraising lesson will I draw from my garish new Christmas lights? Find out in my next newsletter, landing this afternoon
(Still time to subscribe here - apollofundraising.com/subscribe/)
Ah a sudden flurry of email pings. I'm guessing it's midday?
Thanks! I'll do my best to make it worth your while!
First full edition of my newsletter going out at lunchtime. Includes a new post about the curse of clever, two "top tips" videos & a round-up of interesting fundraising news.
Still time to sign up if you don't mind me showing up in your inbox every now and then apollofundraising.com/subscribe/
Are you a social media manager running an account for an organization or high-profile individual? Or do you own a website and want a simpler username?
On Bluesky, you can verify your account by setting your website as your username.
We just refreshed our how-to guide:
Mona Lisa holding a donations bucket full of cash
If you or your team are looking for "informative, engaging and inspiring" fundraising training that's been written specifically for arts, cultural and heritage fundraisers, we've just opened booking for four courses running in January and February.
apollofundraising.com/training/upc...
Stay in the loop with UK Fundraising. Join our mailing list! Image of an open envelope with the UK Fundraising logo on it.
We share @ukfundraising.bsky.social's fundraising news updates here, but we also have an email newsletter - daily and weekly options.
Sign up for UK Fundraising's fundraising news:
eepurl.com/haDDEb
Since the temperature down here is more or less constant and humidity is low (thanks to the salt), some of the old caverns here have been given over for storage. Priceless works of art and archives are stored here beneath the ground, not far from the machinery...
8/14
You have impeccable taste :-) I think the Ardbeg Corryvreckan wins on taste for me, although there will always be a special place in my heart/glass for the Laphroaig Quarter Cask (the one that got me into whisky) and a Lagavulin 12 that arrived the day I found out we were expecting our first child
So, I've just created a new group on LinkedIn, to help diversify speaker panels at Charity events, so that we don't see the same faces everywhere on repeat. Please help spread the word: www.linkedin.com/groups/13127...
We are also here on BlueSky: diversespeakers.bsky.social
#DiversityMatters
Apollo Fundraising's Marketing Department have been busy lately. Did you see our new ad in today's @museumsassociation.bsky.social newsletter?
