RAISE
RAISE Programme Phase 4 launched
I am delighted to announce that we have approved the launch of RAISE Phase 4, the flagship Arts Council programme focused on growing private investment to the arts in Ireland. The RAISE programme was originally launched to develop the fundraising capability
for the selected arts organisations by delivering the skills and resources to help embed a sustainable model of private investment and philanthropy. In addition to continuing its focus on supporting 30 arts organisations under the Academy, Accelerate,
Advance and RAISE-UP cohorts, Phase 4 of RAISE will have a specific focus on assisting organisations navigate the post-Covid environment, retain the benefits of the pandemic experiences while transitioning to a hybrid model of engagement and helping
to further create a “Culture for Giving” for the sector. It will also incorporate some exciting new initiatives.
RAISE Phase 4 will continue to be delivered by our delivery partner, OKC. OKC will commence the process of recruiting the selected 30 organisations in the coming weeks. We look forward to working with the successful organisations.
Martin O’Sullivan
Finance Director & Company Secretary
8 Fundraising Resolutions for Arts and Cultural Organisations in 2022
As this New Year gets underway, it’s the perfect time to re-evaluate your arts organisation’s fundraising strategy and goals for the upcoming year. To help you along the way, the RAISE Programme, delivered by O'Kennedy Consulting on behalf of the Arts
Council, has developed 8 Fundraising Resolutions that your arts organisation can make to help you to have a successful and impactful 2022.
Download 8 Fundraising Resolutions for Arts and Cultural Organisations in 2022
RAISE Programme puts spotlight on Sustainability
The RAISE Programme has led to many innovations, not least the integration of the RAISE Sustainability Series. A key focus of this phase has been embedding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices across all aspects of the programme. Corporate,
Individual and Foundation funders are increasingly applying these non-financial factors as part of their analysis process to identify risks, growth, and impact opportunities. ESG criteria is becoming the norm for socially conscious investors in the
commercial world and this in turn is directly impacting on their rationale for philanthropic investments, corporate sponsorships, and strategic partnerships.
RAISE Programme Digital Innovations - Staying Ahead of the Curve
At the start of Covid, the RAISE team created and shared ‘The Top Ten Things Arts Organisations Can Do for their Stakeholders during the Covid-19 Crisis’ from creating online content to communicating in new ways through digital platforms. The RAISE organisations
did not disappoint. The RAISE organisations became creative in creating content online and engaging with audiences and supporters in a virtual world, in addition to moving their Festivals, Programmes and fundraising activities online. See the RAISE
section of the Arts Council website or click here Digital Innovations - Staying Ahead of the Curve, to
see a small sample of some of the wonderful digital and online innovations that occurred in terms of online content creation and fundraising over the last year. The RAISE programme will continue to support excellence in the application of digital
and online solutions to help organisations stay ahead of the curve.
Download the RAISE Newsletter Spring 2022
The Spring edition of the RAISE newsletter is now available at this link above.
This final newsletter of RAISE Phase 3 is intended to be a celebration of all that you have accomplished over the past year. You’ll find key fundraising and engagement figures, insights, opinion pieces, and features on your development successes. And as we close out Phase 3, we are delighted to confirm that RAISE Phase 4 will be commencing this autumn - read on to hear more about applications and launch dates!
Download the RAISE Newsletter Winter 2021
The winter edition of the RAISE newsletter is now available at this link above.
The RAISE winter newsletter showcases the stories and initiatives embraced by the RAISE organisations in recent months, and highlights how RAISE helps organisations embrace the challenges and opportunities in supporting sustainability under ESG as well
as diversity under its EDI focus. All this and more in this winter newsletter as well as the special note from Martin O'Sullivan as Martin endorses the Arts Council's belief that an amalgam of public, private and corporate investment is what’s needed
to ensure the sustainability, growth and impact of the arts sector into the future.
Download the RAISE Newsletter August 2021
The summer edition of the RAISE newsletter is now available on this link above.
We have been hugely enthused by the committed engagement of all our 30 participant organisations across our Academy, Accelerate and Advance programmes. Despite the ongoing challenges, almost €600,000 was raised in Q1 from 1 April to 30 June. In addition,
RAISE delivered 18 online events including; six Core Workshops, two Knowledge Shares, two Huddles, three RAISE Digital Sessions, one Chairs’ Forum, one Directors’ Forum, one RAISE Up Fund Workshop, two RAISE ESG Sustainability, Diversity and Inclusion
events and our inaugural RAISE Symposium, Turning Point, which proved to be a major success! The expansion of the RAISE+ Programme has proven hugely popular with 24 additional organisations participating. We hope that you enjoy catching up
with all the RAISE news and success stories.
The Autumn edition of the RAISE Newsletter is now available here. It is full of news on the successful pivoting of RAISE to an online and digital delivery model and the extraordinary endeavours by arts organisations to create wonderful and uplifting online
content and digital strategies as well as monetising these numerous creative initiatives. The RAISE team wishes everyone a healthy, happy and safe Christmas.
RAISE Phase 3 - Call for Expressions of Interest
Having delivered the first two phases of the RAISE programme with our programme delivery partners O'Kennedy Consulting, we are delighted to confirm the launch of RAISE Phase 3 and to invite organisations to submit an expression of interest to participate
in this RAISE Programme as per the attached notification. RAISE Phase 3 will continue and deepen the engagement with existing Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 & RAISE Up Fund organisations through a newly developed, tiered suite of opportunities:
RAISE Academy
RAISE Accelerate
RAISE Advance
Please also note the FAQ's document attached which should answer any queries. In addition, the following clarification is also reflected in the Expression of Interest invitation and the FAQ's.
Q: If you are an organisation who has not yet engaged with the RAISE programme in Phase 1 or 2, are you still eligible to apply for the RAISE Academy programme if your annual turnover is over the €500,000 threshold?
A: Yes. Although previously noted that all RAISE Academy applicants should have an annual turnover under €500,000, a decision has now been made to lift this maximum limit for organisations applying to RAISE Academy.
This update has been made under Question 9 of the FAQ document and updated on page 2 of the Expression of Interest document.
RAISE Phase 3 FAQs - clarification (389KB, .pdf)
RAISE Phase 3 Expression of Interest Application Information - clarification (209KB, .pdf)
Martin O'Sullivan,
Deputy Director, Arts Council
Top Ten Things Arts Organisations Can Do for their Stakeholders during the COVID-19 Crisis
While this might not be the ideal time to proactively fundraise, it’s certainly a good time to share positive messages with your audiences, supporters and friends Our RAISE participants and the wider arts and cultural sector can play a pivotal role in
raising the spirits of the nation by showing solidarity and sharing uplifting messages, videos and content with the public. Instead of asking what your stakeholders can do for you, focus on what you can do for your stakeholders and how you can support
them.
Remember people may sometimes forget what you did for them but they will never forget how you made them feel. So now is your opportunity to help Raise the Spirits of communities across Ireland and further afield by sharing the extraordinary breadth and
depth of your work. You and your organisations have amazing artistic and creative skills to share. So find ways of connecting and sharing what you have in an online environment, be that live streaming content; sharing recordings; uploading visuals
and positive messages or simply checking in with friends and supporters by email, phone or video call. Adopt the mindset of “What can I do for you?”, showcase your artform where possible and above all help to show solidarity and spread hope into as
many lives as possible by raising their spirits - #RAISINGSpirits
1. Communicate – show your audiences, friends and supporters that you are there for them at this time – the more personal the contact the better! You can check-in by phone, video call, email, or on social media. Make sure you are clear on who is
leading on your communications strategy and make sure the message is consistent organisational-wide. Respond quickly and effectively to queries. Ask the question “What can I do for you?”
2. Create & Share – use all avenues available to share existing work and create new work; be it delivering readings, sharing music, performance or art, providing digital tours, encouraging intergenerational connectors – use all digital platforms
to share this work. Strengthen relationships with existing friends of your organisation and make new friends.
3. Plan – use this time to plan – to build back better as an organisation, work with your team and harness this time to strategise for the future.
4. Support – your partners and donors, even if they need to pause their sponsorship or donations, this is a difficult time for everyone but they will remember how you support and communicate with them now and how you make them feel. Focus on how
you can help and support them and how you can make a positive impact on society at this time of national need.
5. Inspire – your artists to keep producing, keep ideas knocking back and forth, keep innovating, keep communication lines open as much as possible and come up with new creative ways of reaching your audience.
6. Focus – on the older generation and those who are most vulnerable and at risk, deliver work that raises their spirits and takes away fear and anxiety. Focus on showing the impact you are contributing to Irish society in particular at this time
of national crisis.
7. Breathe – in – the world has become a very small place as we all tackle the same issue, take solace from other art forms, help to keep their conversations going as well as your own.
8. Prepare – for different restrictions, this is an ever changing situation and things may get stricter – how can you keep messaging positive as we enter new phases and continue to keep your stakeholders motivated. How can your art and creative
talent be delivered remotely?
9. Reassure – your team, staff and audience that you are there with them, if even in an altered reality, listen to their thoughts and ideas and let them know you’ve got their back. At this time, your priority is to help others.
10. Investigate – companies and funders who are still doing well, these companies and foundations will be in a position to approach for relevant, well researched, well fitting asks now and in the near future and will appreciate your selfless actions
of helping to raise the spirits of others and make a real impact.
Remember how you communicate and support your audiences, friends and donors in these times of huge challenge will make all the difference in the longer term – by offering a supportive, warm and reassuring presence. We can’t change the direction of the wind but we can adjust our sails to deal with it.
Contact your RAISE mentor to discuss and review action plans around these recommendations.
Private Investment Capacity Building
Phase 2 Announcement
The Arts Council is delighted to confirm the selection of the 5 Tier 1 organisations and 15 Tier 2 organisations to participate in Phase 2 of the very successful RAISE programme.
The Arts Council’s RAISE programme is focused on growing private investment to the arts in Ireland by embedding a culture of sustainable philanthropy and private investment across participating organisations. The programme was launched to develop the
fundraising capability for arts organisations by delivering the skills and resources to build robust, sustainable organisations.
The 5 chosen Tier 1 organisations (Irish Chamber Orchestra, Druid Theatre, Children's Books Ireland, Irish Film Institute and Dublin Theatre Festival) demonstrated that
they have robust organisational structures, strong fundraising propositions, clear marketing plans and the internal capacity, leadership and board buy-in to ensure the development of impactful private investment/philanthropy strategies. They will
now participate in 5 group workshops and 80 hours of bespoke organisational support will be given to each selected organisation. Financial support will also be provided towards the salary of an appropriate fundraising resource.
The 15 Tier 2 organisations (Fishamble: The New Play Company, Cork International Film Festival, The Ark, Irish Traditional Music Archive, Graphic Studio Dublin, Baboro International Arts Festival for Children,
Grafitti Theatre Company, Irish Association of Youth Orchestras, Irish Theatre Institute, Access Cinema, Wexford Arts Centre, Kilkenny Arts Centre,
Galway Arts Centre, Corcadorca Theatre Company, Clonmel Junction Arts Festival) demonstrated a commitment to developing private investment fundraising programmes in the medium to long-term, have demonstrated
some level of effort to secure donor income and have a clear, robust organisational structure and strategy. Tier 2 organisations will receive quarterly group training workshops, 15 hours of individual mentoring and support as well as full access to
online fundraising support tools.
Our delivery partner, O’Kennedy Consulting will work with each Tier 1 organisation to develop tailored fundraising plans which are suitable to the organisation’s unique requirements and will deliver the comprehensive workshops and associated mentoring
to both the Tier 1 and Tier 2 organisations.
—Martin O'Sullivan , Deputy Director and Company Secretary
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
The Arts Council’s RAISE programme is focused on growing private investment to the arts in Ireland by embedding a culture of sustainable philanthropy across participating organisations. The programme was launched to develop the fundraising capability
for the chosen arts organisations by delivering the skills and resources to build robust, sustainable organisations.
In July 2018, we appointed O’Kennedy Consulting leading fundraising and philanthropy advisors, to deliver a new phase of RAISE focusing on the following key outcomes:
To build capacity in the chosen organisations to generate significant new private investment including philanthropic investment
To develop skills in planned giving across all the chosen organisations
To deliver a scalable and sustainable private investment model for chosen organisations
Having successfully delivered the first phase of this new RAISE programme, we are now ready to commence the next phase of the programme – RAISE 2020-2021. The Arts Council, alongside O’Kennedy Consulting are delighted to invite organisations to submit
an expression of interest to participate in this RAISE Programme by Friday 10 January 2020 at 5pm.
The programme is operating two Tiers of support depending on the size of your organisation, the resources available and your fundraising ambitions. We have made some modifications to the last programme and will accept applications based on the following
criteria:
Tier 1: Ready to Engage Organisations
5 Tier 1 organisations will be chosen for this phase of the RAISE Programme.
Criteria: Medium & Large organisations with annual turnover of over €500,000 and an ability to demonstrate a track record of fundraising support and donor engagement – fundraising/private income at a minimum of 5% of total turnover.
The chosen organisations must demonstrate that they have robust organisational structures, strong fundraising propositions, clear marketing plans and the internal capacity, leadership and board buy-in to ensure the development of impactful private investment/philanthropy
strategies.
Selected organisations will participate in 5 group workshops and 80 hours of bespoke organisational support will be given to each selected organisation. Financial support will also be provided towards the salary of an
appropriate fundraising resource. O’Kennedy Consulting will work with each Tier 1 organisation to develop tailored fundraising plans which are suitable to the organisation’s unique requirements. If you believe you meet this criteria and wish to be considered, please submit your Expression of Interest via the Tier 1 Online Application Form here.
Tier 2: Getting Ready to Engage Organisations
Up to a maximum of 15 Tier 2 organisations will be chosen for this phase of the RAISE Programme.
Criteria: Small & Medium organisations with annual turnover up to €500,000 that are deemed not to be fully ready to engage in multi-layered fundraising programmes. Note: There is no minimum fundraising income required for
Tier 2 but organisations must demonstrate some level of effort to secure donor income.
Of the Tier 2 organisations that will be chosen, preference will be given to those organisations who can demonstrate a commitment to developing private investment fundraising programmes in the medium to long-term, and those that have a clear, robust organisational
structure and strategy.
Note: Tier 2 organisations will receive quarterly group training workshops, 15 hours of individual mentoring and support as well as full access to online fundraising support tools. If you believe you meet this criteria and wish to be considered, please submit your Expression of Interest via the Tier 2 Online Application Form here.
In summary, if you are confident that your organisation meets the criteria for either Tier 1 or 2, we would encourage you to complete the relevant Expression of Interest Application Form via the links below.
Tier 1 Application Form
Tier 2 Application Form
Remember: The deadline for this response is 5pm on Friday 10 January 2020
Following an initial evaluation, we will invite those who we believe have the potential capacity to benefit from participation in RAISE to attend a half-day group knowledge share meeting with other shortlisted Tier 1 and Tier 2 organisations, as well
as a short interview.
Tier 1 group interviews are set for Thursday 23 January
Tier 2 interviews are set for Tuesday 4 February
Note: Both will be Dublin based.
Those who apply for Tier 1 and are unsuccessful, will be considered for Tier 2 once they tick the relevant box on the Application Form.
Following on from these group interviews, participants will be informed if they have been selected to participate in this RAISE programme at the dates for commencement.
Note: Organisations that apply to participate in RAISE but are not selected will be invited to attend a one-day RAISE fundraising Conference in mid-2020. They will also receive RAISE newsletters and an Introduction to Fundraising handbook.
THE RAISE-UP FUND
In addition to the RAISE Programme, we are delighted to introduce a new initiative – The RAISE UP Consultancy Fund will allow previous or current RAISE applicants or participants to apply for matched-funding consultancy services from the OKC team at a
special rate of €200 per half-day or €400 per day. This represents 50% of the actual consultancy cost as the Arts Council will cover the other 50%. Minimum consultancy half-day and Maximum four days per organisation. Please note the Arts Council has
set aside a restricted allocation of funding towards the RAISE-UP FUND and once allocated the initiative will close.
We look forward to receiving your submissions by 5pm on Friday 10 January 2020.
Wishing you and Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year.
Kind Regards,
Martin O’Sullivan
Deputy Director
Please Note: All information submitted to O’Kennedy Consulting as part of this process will be held in the strictest confidence in line with GDPR guidelines and data will only be used in the context of evaluating submissions to RAISE. By submitting your Expression of Interest you are authorising O’Kennedy Consulting to contact you directly in relation to the RAISE programme.
For more information, please contact Kieran MacSweeney at kieran.macsweeney@artscouncil.ie or on 087 2513986.
In 2019, the RAISE initiative was relaunched to great success, working with arts organisations of all sizes. Below are lists of those organisations that took part in 2019
The Tier 1 organisations for 2019 were:
The Tier 2 organisations for 2019 were:
The Tier 3 organisations for 2019 were: