News & Insight
28th November 2016
Philanthropy Company grows Arts Team
In recent months, like all of us involved in philanthropy and fundraising we have been watching the impact of Brexit and the uncertainty it has generated for philanthropists, arts and heritage organisations and charities. As well as the obvious impact of potentially losing European funding we are noticing other economic factors coming into play for philanthropists and trusts and foundations, who rely upon a stable economy for their investment portfolios to support their charitable giving. As a company providing advice within the cultural sector, we are reminded daily of the challenges all organisations face at this time.
However, we believe there is are still great opportunities for arts organisations to retain their income and thus their creative edge through using limited fundraising resources to maximum effect and to make sure that all fundraising is targeted and strategic to reflect organisational ambition and donor interests. The majority of wealth and the more significant gifts remain London-centric and this geographic connection can be invaluable in building relationships.
We are delighted to announce that in response to this opportunity we have added two outstanding arts and heritage development directors to our team.
Kate Bierman joins us a Senior Consultant. Kate is a highly skilled arts fundraiser with over 17 years’ experience; 11 years at Director Level. She has experience of developing and implementing both capital and revenue strategies to meet multi million pound targets. Kate has worked with high profile and award-winning arts organisations throughout London, including most recently raising over £4 million to save Wilton’s Music Hall, securing major gifts from Heritage Lottery Fund and the private sector. She has also worked with Donmar Warehouse, Rio Cinema in Dalston, 14-18 NOW, Unicorn Theatre for Children, Soho Theatre, The Bush Theatre and Rambert Dance Company.
Kate has exceptional negotiation and donor care skills as well as the sensitivity and diplomacy needed when working with high level donors, public funders, board members, members of the Royal Family, ambassadors and creatives. She is passionate about enabling arts organisations to flourish and realise their ambitions through strategic advice and hands-on fundraising. Kate leads our work with BAFTA.
We are also delighted to be working with Laurel Ashton, a senior arts fundraising director with over 17 years’ experience of working for cultural institutions large and small including the London Symphony Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, English National Opera and Children & the Arts. Laurel brings extensive experience of working at Board level and nurturing fundraising teams, with excellent relationship building skills and a focus on building sustainable multi-year funding strategies to ensure our clients’ future success. She has extensive experience negotiating and delivering major corporate partnerships, developing engagement programmes for high net worth individuals, building strategic partnerships with trusts and foundations and delivering fundraising events from royal galas through to intimate cultivation opportunities.
Since joining Philanthropy Company as an associate in 2015, Laurel has worked with a range of clients including the RIBA and FFL. A passionate believer in the transformative power of the cultural sector, Laurel greatly enjoys working with clients in both a strategic and hands-on capacity as they navigate the increasingly complex funding landscape to help ensure their future success.
At Philanthropy Company, we have earned a reputation for providing high quality, bespoke consultancy services in philanthropy and fundraising. From community foundations to International NGOs, we help create an environment in which philanthropic giving can flourish.
We would be delighted to have an exploratory conversation regarding your fundraising plans; please do get in touch.