How to Get Funding for Your Creative Projects
Finding the funds for your creative project can be tough. You’ve come up with the vision and you know it will work but you don’t know where to start with raising the funding to bring your dream to life. Fortunately, with a little bit of elbow grease and the right know-how, there are ways to get the funding you need. From personal project funding to community project funding, we have compiled a comprehensive list to help you achieve your goals.
Types of creative fundraising projects
Project funding sites and Crowdfunding are great places to start when you are looking to raise money for a project. They allow artists to seek aid from the very communities that benefit from the art. Tens of thousands of creatives have already found funding for creative projects this way.
People are making the world a more creative place by crowdfunding a wide variety of artistic endeavors. Here are some of the ways creatives use crowdfunding.
Look for ways to help others
Cherokee Social are a band from Denver. On their way home from performing at a concert they unfortunately had an accident. This resulted in their trailer breaking from their car. While the band weren’t injured, most of their equipment was damaged including their drums. This is where the Grand Oak Opry stepped in. They launched a fundraiser to help replace the damaged equipment and raised more than $1000 in a day.
Create ambitious art
For creatives with more drive than pocket change, crowdfunding can help make ambitious projects a reality. In 1929 Larry Moore’s grandmother wrote and illustrated a beautiful children’s story about a young boy who befriends a mermaid and a few sea creatures. Now, 100 years later, Larry is fundraising to get his grandmother’s story published. Larry Lives in Charleston and is an artist himself.For the past year and a half, he has been bringing his grandmother’s art back to full color from the black and white images so that this adorable story can finally be published. He launched a fundraiser to help him achieve his vision and has raised more than $3000 so far.
Save an art space
The Faerie Festival is a beloved fantasy and faerytale-themed mythic arts event that takes place along a shady creek valley in New York. Unfortunately due to a myriad of different reasons, including their host moving house, the future of the festival was in jeopardy for 2024. The festival has launched a fundraiser to help them continue to put on their magical festival and they have raised more than $3,000 so far.
Programs for kids
It can mean a lot to a child to see an entertainer who looks like them in popular culture. That’s exactly what Charity Harris did with her children’s book entitled “What If We Were All same!” Charity is dedicated to creating books celebrating diversity and friendship. She is currently working on her second book, “What if we were all friends!” and plans to write two more to complete the series. She is currently looking for support to help her print the books and allow her to continue visiting Title I elementary schools where she shares the wonders of being a good friend and disability awareness.
Where to get funding for creative projects
You don’t need to be independently wealthy to fund your big creative dreams. If you’re looking for ways to raise money for projects outside of your budget, try a few of these ideas on for size:
Apply for a grant
Whether you’re a painter or a filmmaker, there is a scholarship or grant designed to help somebody like you. You can check out these 60 scholarships for art students.
Have an art sale
Your art is a marketable skill. If you’re a visual artist, you can sell paintings or pottery. If you’re a musician or screenwriter, you could put a custom song or play up for grabs.
Try crowdfunding on GoFundMe
You’re not the only person who wants your creative project to succeed. Your community, including friends, family, and fellow creatives, want that reality too. Help give them a voice by setting up a crowdfunding fundraiser so they can pitch in toward the project.
Crowdfunding allows you to harness the power of your community to make your creative project a reality. Start a fundraiser on GoFundMe and share it to discover how many people appreciate the arts and your cause. Be sure to tell your unique story and explain why you need the funding and how the money will be used. There’s no fee to start or manage your fundraiser on GoFundMe. However, there is one small transaction fee per donation that covers all your fundraising needs. Everything else goes directly to your cause, because that’s what matters most.
How to get funding for a project
Creative projects call for innovative fundraising. Artists have a natural advantage when it’s time to raise money for projects that stand out. Below is a list of potential strategies for ensuring that your creative project gets the recognition it deserves.
How to get funding for a personal project fundraiser
Record a video
Film is more eye-catching than a still image. By recording an engaging video to post on the fundraiser page, you can turn your pitch into an immersive experience.
Turn your donation link into art
Draw it on a flyer. Print it on a sticker. Scribble it on the sidewalk in rainbow chalk. Sharing your fundraiser in an interesting real-life format will make donors remember it.
Reach out to an influencer or the media
If you’re excited about your project, chances are other people will be, too. Don’t be afraid to share your excitement with organizations that might have bigger mouthpieces.
Make creative updates
As you get closer to your goal, why not make your art part of the process? Post poems, paintings, photos, or songs as donor updates when you reach key funding milestones.
Community project funding: how to get funding for a community project
Bring your artistic talents to the community. Connect with local art shows, poetry slams, or concerts and see if they will help promote your relevant cause.
Clearly define your goals
Start by clearly defining the project’s goals and benefits. By being clear about the goal of your project and how it will benefit the community, people will be more inspired to support your project. Create a fundraising plan that outlines how you plan to meet your target and make your dream a reality.
Research Funding options
Research potential funding sources such as government grants, private foundations, corporate sponsors, and crowdfunding platforms.
You can tailor your applications to match each funder’s interests and include strong evidence of community support. Prepare a detailed budget and a plan for evaluating the project’s impact.
Asking for help can be difficult but you will find that if people believe in your project they will be willing to help.
Build relationships
Another key element is building relationships with stakeholders and potential donors who can enhance your chances of success. Persistence and adaptability are crucial, as you may need to refine and resubmit proposals.
Pursue your creative dream today
Your creative project is waiting for you to find the funding you need to make it a reality. There are dozens of possibilities for making it happen without going into debt.
For more project funding ideas, discover other creative fundraisers on GoFundMe. Already feeling inspired? Sign up and launch your own ambitious project on GoFundMe today. You can find out how online fundraising works and GoFundMe is on hand to answer any of your fundraising questions and has great fundraising ideas to make your project a success.