Ready, Set, Launch: How to Get Financing For Your Creative Project
Last week, I attended the event: Film, Fundraising, and Social Change hosted by The Foundation Center. Panelists included Alice Elliott, the Academy Award nominated director of “The Collector of Bedford Street” and Emily Verellen, the Senior Program Officer at The Fledging Fund.
Both speakers presented a lively discussion on how to get grants and donations for your creative project. While the event was mainly geared towards filmmakers, any artist, writer, musician or photographer can benefit from these juicy tidbits of advice.
Here are the highlights:
Outreach: Emily Verellen suggests you formulate a plan for how you will engage and connect with audiences before you start seeking donations for your creative venture. Important factors to consider are whom your project will serve, the message you’re trying to send, and concrete ways to get people involved in your movement. For example, distributing pens, t-shirts and buttons with your logo, hosting events, or sponsoring a contest.
Research: Both presenters stressed the importance of doing your research before approaching donors. Past projects funded and the amount of money donated are just a few things to consider when recruiting funders. Investigate how your project ties in with the mission or philosophy of the individual, small business, corporation or non-profit organization you’re seeking financing from. Also, pay close attention to application guidelines; make sure your project meets the requirements of the grants in which you’re applying for.
Partnerships: There’s no greater way to create awareness for your creative venture than to team up with complementary organizations. You can reach out to student groups, churches, or non-profit organizations to co-host events. Or better yet, you can offer your services at a discounted rate in exchange for exposure and access to their mailing list.
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