Northcott Exeter closes

The Stage recently reported that Exeter's Northcott Theatre was going dark, with 27 redundancies in its wake.
Two years ago, I contacted the Northcott's then new manager to congratulate her on her appointment, wish her luck with the theatre's reorganization, and offer to talk with her about the Northcott's longer term fundraising needs, with no obligation.

I received absolutely no response.

Although I'm saddened for the people of Exeter and the Northcott staff, perhaps a cogent discussion of the theatre's funding situation a few years could have delayed or prevented this loss.

Rick

Rick Holland CFRE MInstF
Director
Confident Philanthropy Ltd.

07867 814 690

www.confidentphilanthropy.co.uk







Northcott



Dear Ms Tyrrell

Best of luck with Northcott's reorganization.  I just caught the Stage article too, so I'm sure you're quite busy inside the theatre and out!

I also hope you got my brief note a few months ago, and if you are interested in having an informal chat about diversifying your income streams and ramping up your fundraising, please let me know.  I'll be in the Southwest later this month, so I'm happy to pop in at a convenient time.

With warm regards

"They tried to get some extra funding, but ACE said no, No, NO!"

Alan Davey, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, recently addressed the Local Government Association's culture, tourism, and sport conference, and event which was also sponsored by ACE.


He urged local authorities to maintain their investment in the arts, but also admonished them--warning that the Arts Council could not afford to mitigate local cuts.


I recently met with Alan and ACE Chair Liz Forgan to discuss how fundraisers and consultants can work collaboratively to help ACE-funded organizations diversify their incomes, especially those which don't have robust fundraising programmes.


Despite our discussion, Davey's remarks ignored this - perpetuating the overdependence too many arts organisations have on government funding.


ACE and local government funding can be a piece of the pie, but let's continue to build the UK's 'culture of philanthropy,' at all income levels, so that no charity is too dependent on any one source.


A missed opportunity, Alan!


Rick Holland CFRE MInstF
Director
Confident Philanthropy Ltd.


www.confidentphilanthropy.co.uk
rick.holland@confidentphilanthropy.co.uk