Funding Resilience: The Fundamentals of Arts Fundraising

Join fundraising consultant Oonagh O’Donovan from OKC for a one-day workshop, "Funding Resilience: The Fundamentals of Arts Fundraising,". Led by Oonagh O’Donovan, Director of Strategy & Operations at OKC, this practical course explores the core principles of successful fundraising in the arts sector today.

Through interactive sessions, participants will:

· Explore essential topics such as fostering a culture of philanthropy within their organisations, crafting a compelling case for support, and identifying the most effective fundraising avenues to strengthen your organisation's financial resilience and drive its philanthropic impact forward.

· Drawing from real-world examples and case studies, attendees will gain invaluable perspectives and practical strategies to elevate their fundraising efforts.

· Connect and network with others over refreshments!

With a proven track record of success, OKC brings extensive experience to the table. From 2018 – 2024 OKC delivered the RAISE Programme on behalf of the Arts Council of Ireland, a fundraising capacity building programme to drive private investment for arts and culture organisations. The RAISE programme enabled over 100 arts and culture organisations, to fundraise approx. €20 million in private and philanthropic income and an additional €5m in budget relieving in-kind support. Now, OKC extends this wealth of expertise to A&B NI members and beyond, equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in today's competitive fundraising landscape.

Doors open from 9:30am and starts at 10am

Lunch is included with Tea and Coffee on arrival

For more information or accessibility enquires please contact h.foskett@artsandbusinessni.org.uk or ring us on 02890735150

Oonagh O’Donovan –Director of Strategy & Operations at OKC

Oonagh O'Donovan has been with OKC since 2020, where she serves as Director of Strategy & Operations. With over 10 years of experience in strategic fundraising, Oonagh specialises in philanthropy, corporate partnerships, prospect research, and capital campaigns. She leads OKC's work with arts, culture, and heritage clients, , the National Concert Hall and National Museum Ireland .

Oonagh has managed portfolios of supporters ranging from €1k to €500k+ and has overseen multimillion-euro capital campaigns. She is also an expert prospect researcher, using OKC's DIAL model and detailed network mapping to identify and engage donor prospects.

Before joining OKC, Oonagh held roles at leading arts organisations such as the Royal Court Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, and The Public Theater in New York, where she was part of the team that raised over $4.5m through its 2016 Annual Gala, The United States of Shakespeare.

Oonagh also serves as Interim Fundraising Management for the Dillon Quirke Foundation, supporting their corporate and philanthropic efforts. She holds a B.A. from Trinity College Dublin and an MSc in Strategic Management and Marketing from Technological University Dublin, where she graduated with First Class Honours.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/oonagh-o-donovan-106621a3/

About OKC

Since 2002, OKC have been working across the not-for-profit sector to enable philanthropic impact. Led by Mary O’Kennedy, the OKC team collectively brings years of fundraising experience and an extensive knowledge of the Irish philanthropic and corporate environments and a network of connections from across Ireland and beyond.

Enabling philanthropic and corporate investment in the arts & cultural sector is a key strand of OKC’s work. OKC works extensively across the broad charity and social enterprise sector and with arts and cultural organisations, as part of OKC’s delivery of the RAISE programme for the Arts Council of Ireland, to initiate and grow philanthropy, strategic partnerships and multi-channel stakeholder engagement programmes.

OKC offers a hands-on, client-centred approach and a wealth of knowledge on fundraising, philanthropy, marketing and communications strategies, whilst also being able to draw on the perspective and expertise of our OKC Associates who specialise in various complementary fields, including Digital, Sustainability/ESG and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Internationally, we engage with a broad network of civil society consultants through EU Consult, the European Association of Consultants to and about the not-for-profit sector.

OKC is values-led, impact-driven and passionate about enabling social change through philanthropy.