Securing Sustainability for Queer Britain Through Strategic Philanthropy

Challenge

Founded in 2018 as the UK’s first dedicated LGBTQ+ museum, Queer Britain has grown rapidly, establishing a physical presence and building national recognition. As it entered 2025, the organisation was working toward securing a permanent home, with trustees and staff identifying the need for space that could support collections growth, civic activity and long-term sustainability.

Alongside this ambition, Queer Britain faced structural funding challenges.  Early success with corporate sponsorship had been disrupted by shifts in US politics and the resurgence of far-right narratives, which were influencing corporate risk appetite and philanthropic behaviour.  As a museum with no public funding, it was facing pressure to broaden revenue sources while sustaining operations, and planning for future growth.

Our Response

Philanthropy Company supported Queer Britain with trust and foundation fundraising, strategic consultation, and development of a stronger impact narrative. This included developing a range of major bids and securing funding towards core costs, collections development and exhibitions. We helped to design and facilitate stakeholder consultations engaging trustees, staff, volunteers, patrons and visitors, capturing views on social justice, civic purpose and national reach. We also contributed sector research into other museums’ work and sector trends – highlighting transferable learning around co-creation, demonstrating impact, and extending digital reach. These insights helped Queer Britain articulate a clearer organisational direction and strengthened its case for support, particularly around values, methodology and long-term change.

Impact

In this focussed piece of museum fundraising consultancy, our work improved financial resilience by securing strategic grants and building a stronger pipeline of prospective funders. Stakeholder consultation confirmed national demand for a dedicated LGBTQ+ museum to preserve histories at risk of loss, provide a safe civic space, and build public understanding.  Research enabled the organisation to benchmark best practice and apply successful approaches from peer museums.  A clearer vision has helped Queer Britain articulate its dual role: preserving queer heritage; and catalysing societal change through a new convening role. As a result, the organisation is better positioned to secure investment, develop strategic programmes, and build long-term sustainability, including future ambitions around capital development.