David Burgess
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apollofundraising.com
David Burgess
@apollofundraising.com
Director of Apollo Fundraising - crafting practical funding solutions to power amazing cultural organisations
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Have you ever wondered what happens to your funding proposals after you click ‘submit’? Or mused on what conversations actually take place behind the closed doors of a grant-maker’s trustee meeting?

This is your chance to see for yourself!

www.trybooking.com/uk/FCDT
The Fundraiser's Grant-Making Experience
Ever wondered what happens to your proposal after you click 'submit'? This is your chance to see for yourself! Based on interviews with trustees...
www.trybooking.com
Have you ever wondered what happens to your funding proposals after you click ‘submit’? Or mused on what conversations actually take place behind the closed doors of a grant-maker’s trustee meeting?

This is your chance to see for yourself!

www.trybooking.com/uk/FCDT
The Fundraiser's Grant-Making Experience
Ever wondered what happens to your proposal after you click 'submit'? This is your chance to see for yourself! Based on interviews with trustees...
www.trybooking.com
July 20, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Top tip for @artscouncilengland.bsky.social -
If you know your rickety online application platform falls over whenever more than 5 people try to log on, don't set the deadline for two major funding rounds on the same day!
May 20, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Can a cartoon raccoon show us how to get people to donate more frequently? Fundraising lessons from over 100 hours spent on a completely pointless endeavour

apollofundraising.com/blog/animal-...
Can a raccoon teach us how to get people to give more frequently? - Apollo Fundraising
How have the designers of Animal Crossing got me to invest over 100 hours on a completely pointless endeavour? And could the same techniques be used to get people to donate more often?
apollofundraising.com
May 6, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Reposted by David Burgess
After multiple failed attempts, the conch was blown at 10:37. The 2025 Barkley Marathons begins in one hour. #BM100.
March 18, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Reposted by David Burgess
Unsurprisingly, this petition is racing at pace. 👇👇
No second state visit for Trump
This is UNBELIEVABLE. Keir Starmer has just handed Donald Trump a letter from King Charles, inviting him for a second state visit to the UK. It’s totally unprecedented, and I was so outraged when I he...
you.38degrees.org.uk
February 28, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Tell Trump he can have the unprecedented second state visit he so desperately craves...just as soon as all the territory stolen from Ukraine has been returned
February 28, 2025 at 8:28 PM
What the **** is going on in grant-making this year?

With all this talk of funders "closing" you'd be excused for thinking the end is nigh for grant fundraising.

But closing to unsolicited applications doesn't mean funders are shutting up shop or running away from the fight
January 13, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by David Burgess
Are you:
* Looking to up your grant fundraising game in 2025?
* Keen to avoid the pitfalls others fall in to when writing proposals?
* Curious what it's like on the funder's side of the fence?

If you answered 'yes' to all 3, this online course could be for you!

www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...?
The Art of Grant Fundraising
It’s no secret that competition for grants is getting tougher. With funders reporting a significant increase in the number of applications they're...
www.trybooking.com
December 13, 2024 at 1:08 PM
Big fan of New Years Eve parties that start at 3pm and finish at 9
December 31, 2024 at 9:29 PM
Reposted by David Burgess
This is your annual reminder that our medieval European ancestors did not diet or give up booze in January - the opposite. From Epiphany to Lent was Carnival season, feasting and celebration through the end of winter. The difficult personal-improvement stuff came later once the darkness had lifted.
December 30, 2024 at 9:47 AM
Heading to a Christmas nativity this afternoon. Just been informed that the couple playing Mary and Joseph have recently split up. Also, one of the shepards normally comes dressed as a Dr Who character.

There is no way this can live up to expectations
December 22, 2024 at 1:13 PM
Are you:
* Looking to up your grant fundraising game in 2025?
* Keen to avoid the pitfalls others fall in to when writing proposals?
* Curious what it's like on the funder's side of the fence?

If you answered 'yes' to all 3, this online course could be for you!

www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...?
The Art of Grant Fundraising
It’s no secret that competition for grants is getting tougher. With funders reporting a significant increase in the number of applications they're...
www.trybooking.com
December 13, 2024 at 1:08 PM
Why "aesthetic beauty" is not a meaningful KPI for fundraising - aka what I learnt from covering my house in garish LED Christmas lights

apollofundraising.com/blog/the-mis...
The (misguided) pursuit of beauty - Apollo Fundraising
We often let our perception of beauty, and what we think is aesthetically pleasing, dictate our design choices. But what if the things that look "right" are actually having a negative impact on the ef...
apollofundraising.com
December 10, 2024 at 1:03 PM
Reposted by David Burgess
It has been quite the year, so as a distraction from all that here are my WTF TV news moments from 2024 ✨
December 10, 2024 at 9:27 AM
What fundraising lesson will I draw from my garish new Christmas lights? Find out in my next newsletter, landing this afternoon

(Still time to subscribe here - apollofundraising.com/subscribe/)
December 9, 2024 at 1:06 PM
Ah a sudden flurry of email pings. I'm guessing it's midday?
December 3, 2024 at 12:06 PM
Happy Giving Tuesday/Big Give launch day to all who celebrate!
a woman in a black jacket is holding a bow and arrow and giving the middle finger .
Alt: Katniss from Hunger Games giving a three-finger salute, with a caption saying "May the odds be ever in our favor"
media.tenor.com
December 3, 2024 at 9:41 AM
First full edition of my newsletter going out at lunchtime. Includes a new post about the curse of clever, two "top tips" videos & a round-up of interesting fundraising news.

Still time to sign up if you don't mind me showing up in your inbox every now and then apollofundraising.com/subscribe/
Newsletter Sign Up - Apollo Fundraising
If you'd like fundraising ideas, insight and inspiration delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here
apollofundraising.com
November 26, 2024 at 10:38 AM
Reposted by David Burgess
Are you a social media manager running an account for an organization or high-profile individual? Or do you own a website and want a simpler username?

On Bluesky, you can verify your account by setting your website as your username.

We just refreshed our how-to guide:
How to verify your Bluesky account - Bluesky
Here's how to verify your Bluesky account by setting your website as your username.
bsky.social
November 21, 2024 at 8:21 PM
If you or your team are looking for "informative, engaging and inspiring" fundraising training that's been written specifically for arts, cultural and heritage fundraisers, we've just opened booking for four courses running in January and February.

apollofundraising.com/training/upc...
November 21, 2024 at 11:16 AM
Reposted by David Burgess
We share @ukfundraising.bsky.social's fundraising news updates here, but we also have an email newsletter - daily and weekly options.

Sign up for UK Fundraising's fundraising news:

eepurl.com/haDDEb
November 20, 2024 at 12:58 PM
Reposted by David Burgess
Since the temperature down here is more or less constant and humidity is low (thanks to the salt), some of the old caverns here have been given over for storage. Priceless works of art and archives are stored here beneath the ground, not far from the machinery...
8/14
November 19, 2024 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by David Burgess
So, I've just created a new group on LinkedIn, to help diversify speaker panels at Charity events, so that we don't see the same faces everywhere on repeat. Please help spread the word: www.linkedin.com/groups/13127...

We are also here on BlueSky: diversespeakers.bsky.social

#DiversityMatters
November 19, 2024 at 9:04 AM
Apollo Fundraising's Marketing Department have been busy lately. Did you see our new ad in today's @museumsassociation.bsky.social newsletter?
November 19, 2024 at 7:01 PM
While most of my posts are fundraising related (and especially arts fundraising) that's not my only interest. So I thought I'd share some pics of my other interests and hobbies below
November 19, 2024 at 11:13 AM