Great turnout for Funders Fayre March 2024
Turnout for the Funders Fayre held at the Rockfield Centre, Oban on 20th March 2024 was really impressive with over 80 people in attendance.
A recording of the day can be found at this link.
The day began with two excellent presentations. The first presentation was from Kerry McFarlane of the Robertson Trust and the second presentation was from Peter Watson of the National Lottery Community Fund. Six other funders were in attendance and all eight took part in a series of round table discussions so that all attendees could meet and discuss their funding proposals with all funders. The TSI is really grateful for those funders who took the time to highlight their funds’ priorities and to help demystify the funding application process!
I also facilitated a panel discussion with Jamie McIntosh, CEO of Scottish Love in Action and Chair of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Scotland, and David Watt, CEO of Culture and Business Scotland and the TSI’s new Chair. Responding to questions from the floor we talked about fundraising in the culture and heritage sector, the issue of competing for funds in a professional fundraising environment and the importance of making contact with your target funders.
On the one hand it is amazing that so many people from across Argyll and Bute were able to attend the funders fayre including some from Colonsay, Tiree, Islay and Mull, however I suspect it is an indication of the deep level of need from groups supporting some of the most vulnerable in our communities. I gave a commitment at the end of the day to explore further ways that the TSI can support Argyll and Bute’s mostly small groups to fundraise in a timely, strategic and cost effective way.
Event feedback from attendees was consistently high although I think next time we may need a bigger venue!
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