Philanthropy Development

We encourage philanthropic giving to the cultural and creative sector, helping organisations and supporters develop local partnerships.

 

Figurative’s philanthropy development work is conducted by the Figurative Philanthropy for Arts & Culture (FPAC) team. Our work focuses on researching and developing means of attracting new philanthropy into the arts and culture sector, alongside supporting arts leaders to feel confident seeking philanthropic giving and developing a range of funding sources for their work.

Prior to Figurative’s launch in 2024, FPAC operated as New Philanthropy for Arts & Culture (NPAC), a cause-related network established in June 2019 under the chairmanship of Sir Vernon Ellis. You can find out more about Figurative’s history here.

The founder members of the FPAC network are generous supporters of the arts and aware of the significant potential of new sources of private funding, in particular from individual donors, to support and sustain the sector.

As our work has developed, we have created three resource hubs:

  • Support for the arts and culture sector, which provides some resources to assist in attracting gifts for your organisations.
  • Support for arts supporters and would-be supporters through the formation of a series of regional partnerships.
  • Research into arts philanthropy; what motivates arts donors and how the sector model might evolve to attract new supporters.

Our current programmes include the Arts for Impact matched funding campaign, in partnership with Big Give, and our Place-Based Partnerships bringing together cultural and creative organisations and local philanthropists in regional networks. We have also produced a free philanthropy toolkit for cultural and creative organisations who are new to working with philanthropists.

Take a look at our impact map to see our place-based partnerships and the reach of our Arts for Impact campaigns.

Work with us

If you’re interested in exploring place-based philanthropy for your area or joining an existing partnership, we’d welcome a conversation about how FPAC can support your goals.

Contact Rachel French, Development Director: rachel.french@figurative.org.uk

Philanthropy Programmes

Philanthropy

Big Give’s Arts for Impact campaign, in partnership with Figurative’s philanthropy development team, supports UK arts and culture charities working to achieve societal impact.

Philanthropy

Our place-based networks focus on the role and positive impact of arts and culture on communities and rally people around local causes.

Speak To Our Team

Find out how we can support to you and your organisation: Rachel French, Development Director, rachel.french@figurative.org.uk

Senior Philanthropy Associate

Latest Case Studies

Explore our portfolio to learn how our investments and programmes support cultural organisations of all types.

Watch our short film to hear directly from cultural and creative organisations including Music Venue Properties, Little Angel Theatre, and Creative Land Trust about their experience working with us.

A group of children and young adults pose on a stage with arms extended.

The performing arts organisation used a loan to strengthen its infrastructure, expand its award-winning network of children’s drama schools and widen access to their programmes.

Design for a new play area at the Food Museum.

The UK’s only museum dedicated to food is using a loan to support the creation of an outdoor play area inspired by food, farming and nature, to better serve their visitors and improve their financial resilience.

External image of a building with modern curved grey exterior.. Cars are passing and the skies around it are grey

Acme sought a £500,000 loan in 2025 to support the acquisition and fit-out of a new studio building in Waltham Forest, Billet Road Studios. The property had been completed to shell-and-core standard but remained vacant due to limited demand for its original permitted use as office and ground-floor community space.

Image credits:

Care staff taking part in a Paintings in Hospitals art workshop at St Michael’s Hospice. Find out more about our work with Paintings in Hospitals here.

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