Project: The CAAMA Collection (2025)
Why did you apply for Plus1 and why were matched funds so important for your project?
For decades nothing had been done to preserve this wonderful collection. I have limited resources and time and wanted to raise funds to recruit a librarian to manage this resource and liaise with AIATSIS with whom we brokered an agreement to digitise the collection at no cost to CAAMA. I hoped the dollar match would be an incentive to donors to see their gift amplified, while growing a coalition of support.
Tell us about your fundraising strategy?
I have no formal fundraising training and (broadly) executed the strategy developed in and for the Central Australia Plus1 workshop (with Hannah Kothe) which I found to be insightful, thorough and reassuring.
What were your most significant achievements?
Unexpectedly securing the whole amount sought from first-time donors. Twice.
How did you contact your donors and form relationships during the campaign and post-fundraising?
Personal approaches to the donors; I had cultivated the first donor Ludo Studios from last year when they co-located with CAAMA and I facilitated access to the collection for their production. I first raised the possibility then that we wanted to improve access and management of the archives and returned to them when we launched the project. I approached the CEO of the second donor Centrecorp, for a meeting and pitched the collection directly. I was invited the next day to provide further information to the Board which made an extraordinary resolution to support the project.
Were there any unexpected results?
A positive unexpected outcome has been new networks and connections with first time donors. We had anticipated greater support to materialise through long-time associates and their networks including those who have promised support, and others who regularly access the collection.
Is there anything you would do differently?
Start earlier, including building the digital assets. We are a lean organisation and were lucky with our fundraising in this instance and didn’t have to rely on a digital campaign to meet initial targets. But this is an ongoing project and we will use these ideas for the EOFY and/or ongoing fundraising.
What is your top tip for someone applying for this program in the future?
Ask for more than you feel comfortable doing. A funder can always make a lower offer in response to an ask, but it doesn’t work the other way around. I would never have anticipated achieving our goals with just two, targeted requests. Sometimes people are surprisingly generous.
