AbaF Guide To Boost Cultural Giving
26 August 2005 at 1:08 pm
Giving to the arts will be promoted and developed by a new guide and national series of workshops put together by the Australia Business Arts Foundation.
Building Relationships and Securing Donations (aka ‘The Silver Book’) is the first Australian guide to Giving specifically tailored for the cultural sector.
The 64-page guide is published by the Australian Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) through Artsupport Australia, a joint initiative with the Australia Council. While it’s aim is specifically to increase cultural giving most Not for Profits can gain from this well resourced information!
The Silver Book is a step-by-step guide for arts organisations on how to increase income from philanthropic donations.
AbaF says the purpose is to offer a practical approach to securing and managing donations. It points out that no previous level of experience in fundraising is assumed.
And the guide will be most useful when the process it describes is used as part of a business plan that includes specific commitment to increasing donations.
AbaF’s Executive Director, Kathy Keely says one of AbaF’s key strategies is building the capacity of cultural organisations to gain support from business, individuals and other bodies such as foundations and trusts.
Keely says the Silver Book draws on good practice in the field and has sought input and advice from many leading practitioners.
She says AbaF is confident that the approach is an effective one and provides a solid foundation to build on.
Keely says however the message that has come through again and again during consultations is that it does require persistence.
She also paid tribute to her predecessor Winsome McCaughey for her enormous amount of time, energy, knowledge and expertise in the development of the Guide.
While much of the Guide is specifically relating to Arts issues in terms of tax law and government programs, there is significant information for non-cultural organisations from “Analysing and Documenting Your Organisation”, “Assembling a Fundraising Team”, understanding donors motivations, relationship building, dealing with foundations and business, preparing to “ask” and writing your own “Giving Plan”.
The guide accompanies Philanthropy Skills Development Workshops. The price for the workshop and guide: $125; or the guide alone: $30. For more information or to register your interest, email Kirsten Matthews or telephone 03 9616 0300 for copies.
