Funding Ideas When You’re Self-Producing
Producing your own projects can be so artistically freeing and fulfilling, but when it comes to the practical side of making it happen, there is one obstacle that usually takes center stage: money. Unless you are blessed with independent wealth or a great deal of disposable income, money can bring the best projects to a screeching halt pretty quickly. So how to get funding for your passion projects? Here are a few thoughts to start the gears turning.
Grants. Grants can be an incredible resource for funding, depending on the type of project you’re launching. You may be surprised at the amount of grant funding available for those willing to put in the research and the work. The big thing to remember here is preparation. Grant cycles take time to apply and approve, and are usually only offered at specific times of the year. If you’re looking at grants, a great thing to do is to research what the money has gone to support in the past. If you have access to anyone’s past applications, look up the language. Keep your options open, look for both local and national and see which (if any) you may be able to stack. Once you start perfecting your application language, you may be able to apply the same verbiage to several grants. If you’re new to the grant game, I would definitely recommend talking to someone experienced if possible.
Fundraisers. Fundraisers are an attractive option, but they can be tricky. The best event planning advice I received when producing for a small 501(c)3 theatre was to be specific: are you putting together a fundraiser or a friendraiser? You will need both. A friendraiser spreads awareness, builds community connections and is an opportunity to build your brand. This is where you invite your friends, industry acquaintances, community members come one, come all. A fundraiser is specifically focused on raising money. This is when you sell tickets, invite potential donors, etc. Something to remember when you’re starting out is events cost money. Fundraisers and friendraisers come with a ton of overhead and very little guarantee of how much you will raise, if anything. Make sure you’re proceeding with open eyes.
Crowdfunding Sites. Kickstarter, GoFundMe, Indiegogo, among others, are all crowdfunding options that have been gaining popularity in past years. These can be effective fundraising tools that don’t require the same kind of investment as event planning. If you’re looking into these options, the best thing you can do is know your project. Different crowdfunding sites are better suited to different kinds of projects. Compare each and make sure you’re reading the fine print. Know what happens if, for example, you don’t meet your fundraising goals, or fail to raise anything. The other thing to remember with crowdfunding is you have to actively promote them. Most people will need multiple points of contact before deciding to give, so making sure your campaigns are visible and accessible is crucial.
Pitch and Presentation. No matter what fundraising options you pursue, your pitch and presentation are crucial. Good things to have ready and polished are pitch videos, pictures, details of process and progress, polished verbiage and somewhere to direct people where they can donate quickly and easily. Make sure you have an “elevator pitch,” a concise (30 seconds or so) verbal description that gives a clear idea of your project and your goal. People will be more likely to give if you can show them what they’re backing.
Personal Touch. Whether reaching out to private donors, pitching sponsorships, or asking for grassroots donations, remember people are more likely to donate if they feel a personal connection. Talk to people in person when you can. Make videos talking about your project. Write thank you notes. Cultivate genuine connections. Donors are more likely to invest in you than in a faceless project.
Organization, presentation and connection will give you a huge leg up. Fundraising can be daunting, but for those self-producing, it is an essential skill to develop. Learn your options and remember there is room for creativity.
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