Fundraising Support
Creative Australia’s fundraising programs and services aim to build the knowledge, skills, and capabilities of artists and organisations, supporting financially sustainable creative careers and business models.
On 1 July 2023 the people and functions of Creative Partnerships Australia became part of Creative Australia. In the October 2022 Federal Budget the Minister for the Arts, The Hon Tony Burke MP, confirmed his election commitment to transfer the funding and functions of Creative Partnerships Australia to Creative Australia. This was reaffirmed in January 2023, with the release of the Australia Government’s National Cultural Policy: Revive.
Creative Australia continues the programs previously run by Creative Partnerships Australia.
Australian Cultural Fund
The Australian Cultural Fund (ACF) is a fundraising platform for Australian artists. Through the ACF, artists upload their project, start their fundraising campaign and invite art lovers and supporters to donate with 100% of donations going directly towards artists’ creative projects. The ACF has helped raise millions of dollars for Australian artists, enabling a wide range of projects to come to life and offering support to Australia’s cultural sector.
Free Coaching & Advice
Creative Australia’s State Manager Development & Partnerships provide advice on philanthropy, fundraising and development, and securing investment and partnerships for artists and arts organisations.
Through Creative Australia’s bespoke one-on-one coaching sessions, we work in a facilitative style to equip you with the tools, knowledge and opportunities to improve your fundraising capability. Creative Australia aims to empower artists and arts organisations to secure support from philanthropists, trusts and foundations and develop robust and fruitful business partnerships. Click here to read the Coaching and Advice FAQs.
Appointments can take place in-person, over the phone or via digital communication channels. To arrange an appointment please submit an enquiry through cpa.programs@creative.gov.au and your State Manager Development and Partnerships will be in touch.
Training & Professional Development
Knowledge Series is an online series of arts fundraising webinars. Presented by leading Australian and international experts, the webinars cover essential fundraising topics contextualised and relevant to the unique Australian cultural landscape.
Knowledge Series is for arts fundraisers at al career stages especially those that are working towards participating in the National Giving Day to the Arts.
Knowledge Series is free by registration.
Thursday 27 March
Building Donor Relationships Through Data: Simple Systems for Arts Fundraising
3.00 – 4.30pm AEDT
Michelle Stein
Handmade Fundraising | South Africa
Synopsis
For many creative professionals, the idea of collecting and using supporter data feels overwhelming or challenging. Yet having the right information at your fingertips can transform your fundraising success – without complex systems or technical expertise.
In this practical, action-focused workshop, we’ll explore how even the smallest arts organisations can build meaningful supporter relationships through simple, ethical data practices.
We’ll explore:
- what essential information you should actually be collecting (and what you can ignore)
- simple ways to gather supporter details that don’t feel intrusive or awkward
- how to uncover hidden fundraising opportunities in the information you already have
- practical techniques to connect personally with supporters based on their interests
- the TRACK system: a straightforward approach that helps you manage relationships in just 30 minutes a month.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or improving existing practices, you’ll leave with practical tools that fit your reality. This isn’t about complex databases or expensive CRMs – it’s about creating a simple, sustainable approach that helps you build stronger connections and secure more funding for your creative work.
About Michelle
Michelle Stein transforms how arts and cultural organisations approach fundraising. A former British Museum and Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa fundraising leader, she went from hovering awkwardly at donor events to landing multi-million pound gifts.
With senior development roles across two continents, Michelle now shares her expertise with others. She’s trained thousands of fundraisers worldwide, showing that any organisation – yes, even small galleries and indie festivals – can attract significant funding with the right tools and mindset.
When not helping organisations unlock their fundraising potential, Michelle can be found swimming in tidal pools, running the South Africa Barefoot Shoes Instagram account, and hunting for podcast recommendations. She firmly believes that fundraising for the arts should be as creative as the work it supports.
Tuesday 1 April
The Societal Implications of Responsible + Beneficial AI
10.30am–12.00pm AEDT
Nathan Chappell
Donor Search | USA
Synopsis
“The Societal Implications of Responsible + Beneficial AI” examines the critical responsibility of the non-profit sector in leading the charge for ethical, transparent, and impactful AI adoption. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integral to society, non-profits have a unique opportunity – and obligation – to establish frameworks that prioritise long-term human welfare over short-term technological gains.
This session explores the nuances of Responsible and Beneficial AI, highlighting the importance of privacy, accountability, and equity in AI governance. Attendees will gain actionable insights into how the non-profit sector can set the standard for ethical AI practices, ensuring that these technologies serve as catalysts for societal progress and trust.
About Nathan
Nathan Chappell is a thought leader, public speaker, author, and AI inventor, recognised globally as an expert on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and generosity. As Senior Vice President at DonorSearch AI, he leads AI initiatives for many of the largest non-profits in the U.S.
In 2018, Nathan founded Fundraising.AI, a global advocacy organisation for Responsible and Beneficial AI in the non-profit sector. Additionally, he is author of two books, Nonprofit AI: A Comprehensive Guide to Implementing Artificial Intelligence for Social Good and the 2022 award-winning book, The Generosity Crisis, which has been deemed “required reading for this generation of fundraisers”.
With over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Nathan is a sought-after keynote speaker and content contributor. His work has been featured in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, NPR, Forbes, Fast Company and more. His podcast, Fundraising AI, is among the top nonprofit technology podcasts worldwide.
Tuesday 15 April
Fundraising Strategies for the Future with AI
10.30am–12.00pm AEST
Nathan Chappell
Donor Search | USA
Synopsis
“Fundraising Strategies for the Future,” offers a deep dive into the ongoing journey of AI integration within organisations, particularly focusing on its implications and opportunities in the fundraising sector.
It discusses the evolution of AI technologies like predictive and generative AI, emphasising their potential to enhance donor experiences through precision, personalisation, and efficiency. Additionally, it addresses common concerns and questions regarding AI, such as privacy, ethical considerations, and the fear of job displacement, reassuring attendees that AI’s role is to augment rather than replace human capabilities.
The session aims to equip attendees with practical insights on leveraging AI responsibly to optimise and innovate in their operational and strategic endeavours, ultimately driving more informed and effective fundraising practices.
About Nathan
Nathan Chappell is a thought leader, public speaker, author, and AI inventor, recognised globally as an expert on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and generosity.
As Senior Vice President at DonorSearch AI, he leads AI initiatives for many of the largest nonprofits in the U.S. In 2018, Nathan founded Fundraising.AI, a global advocacy organisation for Responsible and Beneficial AI in the nonprofit sector. Additionally, he is the author of two books, Nonprofit AI: A Comprehensive Guide to Implementing Artificial Intelligence for Social Good and the 2022 award-winning book, The Generosity Crisis, which has been deemed “required reading for this generation of fundraisers”.
With over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Nathan is a sought-after keynote speaker and content contributor. His work has been featured in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, NPR, Forbes, Fast Company and more. His podcast, Fundraising AI, is among the top nonprofit technology podcasts worldwide.
Tuesday 13 May
To get funding, be fundable and findable
1.30pm–3.00pm AEST
Kevin L. Brown
Mighty Ally | Malaysia
Synopsis
This Knowledge Series session will cover why fundraising itself can’t fix your fundraising, why brand must come first, what it means to be fundable and findable.
About Kevin
Kevin is Mighty Ally’s visionary, leading product development and zero-to-many content to democratise our expertise. An Acumen Fellow plus advisor for Greenwood Place, Kevin is a trusted connector between doers and donors. His roots are in the ad agency world, where he helped his first four companies scale to acquisition.
He is an author, has founded two businesses, and creates daily for 75,000+ LinkedIn followers. Kevin has lived the past decade in Uganda, South Africa, and Southeast Asia — advocating for justice in the Global South.
The Fundamentals of Arts Fundraising workshops are 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. We program workshops throughout the year and across the country to provide fundraisers with the skills to succeed.
Join us at one of our upcoming workshops: Investment and development.
These workshops are designed for artists, producers and collectives looking to boost their knowledge, skills and confidence to strategically build supporter relationships and grow income from donations.
Join us at one of our upcoming workshops: Investment and development.
Our biennial Masterclass brings international expertise to the Australian sector providing arts professionals access to the leading fundraising knowledge in the form of an intensive workshop.
The Art & Science of Fundraising is an innovative, out-of-the-box professional development program created by esteemed consultancy Philanthropy Squared delivered over nine months. Designed especially for small-to-mid-sized arts organisations, the program provides you with the critical principles and practical know-how to give your fundraising every chance to succeed. It is a must for organisations wanting to grow or strengthen their philanthropic fundraising practice.
Applications for Art and Science of Fundraising are currently closed. Check back here for future dates.
Matched Funding Programs
Our funding programs and initiatives help create a more sustainable and financially supported cultural sector. Whether you’re an arts organisation, independent artist or artistic group, we offer matched funding programs to maximise your fundraising efforts, boost your revenue and have meaningful connections with your audiences.
Plus1 is our dollar-for-dollar matched fundraising program, designed to boost the fundraising efforts of small to medium not-for-profit arts organisations. Plus1 supports not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations to develop and run more effective fundraising campaigns, boost their fundraising skills and secure new backers.
Applications for Plus1 are currently closed. Check back here for future dates.
Our MATCH Lab program supports artists and artist groups to build fundraising skills, increase knowledge of philanthropy and arts partnerships, develop broader arts business experience and create sustainable sources of revenue into the future with the support of dollar-for-dollar matched funding for their campaign. MATCH Lab is more than just a funding program; it emphasises long-term skills development through subsidised attendance at our fundraising professional development clinic.
Applications for MATCH Lab are currently closed. Check back here for future dates.
ACF Boost is a matched funding program for independent artists and small arts organisations using the ACF. Participants in the program leverage private sector support raised through their ACF campaign with a small, matched funding ‘boost’ of up to $5,000 from Creative Australia.
Applications for ACF Boost 2025 are currently closed. Check back here for future dates.
Fundraising Resources
Our Fundraising Resources are currently under review. Resources are available on request via your State Manager Development and Partnerships by emailing cpa.programs@creative.gov.au
Peer Learning & Networks
Our place-based Development Collectives provide in-person networking and peer learning opportunities for arts and cultural fundraisers. For more information, please contact your State Manager Development and Partnerships by emailing cpa.programs@creative.gov.au
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Contact us
Email the Partnerships and Philanthropy team at cpa.programs@creative.gov.au