Strategy Support Programme 2025/26

A dynamic programme supporting organisations to develop strategies that help them grow, change and secure their future

The Strategy Support Programme is a tailored programme of training, mentoring and practical support, helping you to create a sustainable business plan or fundraising strategy.

Facilitated by an expert trainer and working within a peer cohort of up to five organisations, you will work towards developing a refreshed or new business plan or fundraising strategy with plenty of support and training along the way!

The programme (September to December 2025) is designed to help you take ownership of the strategic direction of your organisation, working with peers in a supportive, online environment.

If you need that extra bit of motivation, support and accountability to evolve your business or fundraising planning, the Strategy Support Programme can offer you the guidance and structure you need to move forwards!

To conclude the Programme, you will have the opportunity to present your strategy to a panel of sector specialists, who will provide final feedback for you to take forward as your strategy is implemented.

Download the Strategy Support Programme call out, with full details about the programme and application details below.

Interested in applying? Submit your application by 12pm on Monday 18th August 2025.

Apply by 18 August 2025
Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft

Strategy Support Programme

Depending on the current needs of your organisation, you can select one of two focus areas:

  1. Business Planning – advising on background and context review; SWOT analysis and benchmarking, plus a review of existing objectives and support with setting new goals across your team.
  2. Fundraising Strategy – offering guidance on organisational analysis; benchmarking; recommendations for messaging and fundraising options to develop a well-rounded, actionable fundraising strategy.

Over the course of three online workshops with your expert trainer, you will establish a framework to begin building your Fundraising Strategy or Business Plan, which you will then continue to develop internally within your organisation independently.

Your expert trainer will be on-hand throughout, providing direct feedback on your strategic document, guiding you to develop your plan, and supporting you and your organisation to complete the plan!

With only five organisations participating per cohort, this is a tailored programme that will provide you with significant guidance and peer support beyond the three online workshops.

What will I gain?

As we grapple with global challenges, the cost of living crisis and localised issues, it’s important that arts organisations have the business plans and fundraising strategy required to be resilient and thrive.

By participating in the programme, you will gain:

  • Guidance and support in how to identify new business models and approaches to income generation
  • To practically develop a tangible and tailored business plan or fundraising strategy to embed within your organisation
  • A network of peers to collaborate with and to provide further support and guidance
  • Confidence in the future sustainability and resilience of your organisation

How much does it cost?

The cost for participating in this programme is £400 + VAT per organisation.

This programme benefits from Arts Council England support and is heavily subsidised. As such, the overall value of this programme is more than triple the cost to the organisation.

How can I apply?

To apply for the Strategy Support Programme, please fill out this SurveyMonkey form and submit it by 12pm on Monday 18th August 2025.

The programme is limited to five places per cohort, and we will review applications based on your ability to tell us what support is needed and why; how it will benefit the organisation and your communities; why your organisation should be selected and how you will maximise the opportunity.

Please note that we will ask all successful applicants to provide us with feedback following the programme to feed into our evaluation.

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Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft