They are designed to support how small to medium arts organisations, artists, and artist groups raise private income over time. They provide matched funding alongside practical support, so participants can plan, deliver and improve fundraising activity. The focus is on building approaches that can be sustained, not just delivering a single campaign.
Why we've changed the programs
Our previous matched funding programs supported a broad range of participants across the sector.
Through the redesign process, we recognised that no single suite of programs can support every stage of fundraising development or every fundraising need. Participants come with different levels of experience, capability and readiness, and what is valuable for one participant may not be the right fit for another.
Making the programs more targeted also means making deliberate choices about where support can have the greatest impact.
The new matched funding programs focus on specific stages of fundraising development and provide support, expectations and timeframes that align to those stages. While this creates clearer pathways and more targeted support, it also means the programs are not designed to meet every fundraising need or every stage of fundraising development.
What's new?
The new program suite introduces three distinct fundraising pathways. Each pathway is designed for a different stage of fundraising development and includes support, funding levels and expectations that align with that stage.
For organisations, matched funding is now provided over two years through both the Beginner and Advanced streams. This gives participants more time to test approaches, embed new ways of working and apply learning between fundraising activities.
The redesign also introduces a dedicated pathway for artists and artist groups, combining matched funding with capability development and peer learning support.
Is this the right program for you?
These programs are designed for organisations, artists and artist groups at specific stages of experience in raising private income.
- The Beginner program is for small to medium organisations building basic systems and testing early approaches. It is a two-year program.
- The Intermediate program is for artists and artist groups developing more consistent and strategic approaches. It is a one-year program.
- The Advanced program is for small to medium organisations with established fundraising programs that are ready to grow and transform their approach to private income. It is a two-year program.
All streams require a commitment to planning, delivering and learning from real activity over time.
If your current needs sit outside these stages, there are other opportunities across the Private Investment programs that support different types of activity and development. More information on the full suite will be available here.
Matched funding for organisations - Beginner
This program is for small to medium organisations in the early stages of raising private sector income. Organisations can receive up to $25,000 per year in matched funding.
You may have run a campaign or tried a few approaches, but systems are still forming and fundraising is not yet consistent.
The program focuses on putting the fundamentals in place. This includes simple systems, repeatable approaches and shared responsibility across staff and leadership.
Matched funding allows organisations to test fundraising approaches and build from real activity. It provides a structure to develop and carry learning forward over time.
Matched funding for artists and artist groups - Intermediate
This program is for artists and artist groups with some experience raising funds and an existing supporter base. Artists and artist groups can receive up to $10,000 in matched funding.
You may have run a campaign or contributed to one and are looking to build on that experience.
The focus is on developing a more deliberate and consistent approach. Activity is planned, repeated and refined over time, rather than developed separately for each project.
Matched funding supports this by creating a reason to return to supporters, test approaches again and build on existing relationships and knowledge while developing new supporters. Participants are also supported through a structured capability program that includes an in-person workshop, peer learning and one-on-one advice and support.
Matched funding for organisations - Advanced
This program is for small to medium organisations with an established fundraising program, including systems, internal ownership and active supporter relationships. Fundraising is already embedded across the organisation. Organisations can receive up to $50,000 per year in matched funding.
The program supports organisations to extend or transform how they raise private income. This may include multi-year strategies, expanded supporter portfolios, or new and higher-value income streams.
It is designed for organisations where the work is strategic, organisation-wide and extends beyond current activity.
Matched funding acts as a catalyst. It enables organisations to pursue opportunities that would not otherwise be possible and to test or scale approaches that shift how fundraising is delivered over time.
Building fundraising capability over time
The new structure creates clearer pathways for fundraising development across the sector. Some participants are building basic systems. Some are developing more consistent approaches. Others are ready to scale and transform their fundraising.
The pathways recognise that fundraising capability develops over time and that different stages require different types of support, expectations and investment. The focus is not only on funds raised during the program, but on helping participants build the foundations for future fundraising success.
Learn more
Applications are now open and close on Tuesday 15 September at 3pm AEST.
You can read the program guidelines and access the information session recordings below:
- Matched Funding for Organisations – Beginner guidelines
- Matched Funding for Artists and Artist Groups – Intermediate guidelines
- Matched Funding for Organisations – Advanced guidelines
Image: OH DEER! by APHIDS. Photo: JMA Photography
