Matched Funding for Organisations – Beginner - 2026

Matched Funding for Organisations – Beginner supports arts and cultural organisations to build and embed private sector fundraising skills, knowledge and confidence over time.

It is designed for small to medium organisations at an early stage of fundraising, who are ready to move from informal fundraising activity to a more structured and sustainable approach.  

This opportunity provides matched funding over two years, alongside structured capability development support to help organisations build and embed fundraising practice across the whole organisation. Matched funding is provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis for eligible private sector income raised, up to $25,000 per year for two years. 

Matched funding is used as a catalyst for change, helping organisations at an early stage of their fundraising development to move from ad hoc fundraising activity to planned, consistent and sustainable fundraising practice. 

The fund aims to help organisations: 

• build core fundraising systems, skills and processes
• develop and test repeatable fundraising approaches
• expand and deepen supporter relationships
• continue to grow private sector income. 

This opportunity is delivered over two years with an integrated suite of capability development activities, alongside matched funding. 

This supports organisations to develop, apply and embed fundraising practice across a two-year period, focusing on:

• planning and alignment – developing fundraising goals, campaigns, systems and internal readiness
• fundraising delivery – implementing fundraising activity, engaging supporters and generating private sector income
• consolidation and embedding – strengthening supporter stewardship, retention and organisational practice so fundraising can continue beyond the campaign.

Across this two-year framework: 

• organisations build and apply fundraising capability in real time
• capability development supports each stage of the process
• fundraising is embedded across the organisation, including leadership and/or directors/Board
• delivery and learning happen together, rather than as separate activities.

Participation requires: 

• commitment over the full two-year period
• active involvement from leadership and/or directors/Board
• integration of fundraising across the organisation.