Meet The Human Behind Apollo Fundraising
David Burgess - Director
Since my first fundraising role at Manchester Camerata in 2007, I’ve always worked in the arts and culture sector. Following roles at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Glyndebourne and English Touring Opera, I made the switch to consultancy, initially at The Management Centre before setting up Apollo Fundraising in 2016.
That doesn’t mean I’ve stopped getting my hands dirty. In fact, I’ve held a number of interim roles since becoming a consultant, including Interim Head of Fundraising at the Royal Pavilion & Museums in Brighton and Interim Head of Development at Dulwich Picture Gallery.
Some of my most memorable fundraising moments include:
- Helping Ipswich Museum build a new home for a 100-year-old Rhino
- Helping Nevill Holt Opera smash their fundraising target with their first major donor campaign
- Helping a first-time applicant secure one of the largest Cultural Recovery Fund grants
- Helping Stockton Globe breathe new life into their gorgeous art deco theatre
- Helping the home of the UK’s Leather and Fetish archive articulate their Case for Support
In addition to my work in the cultural sector with Apollo Fundraising I’m also a Consulting Fellow with Halpin Partnership, providing fundraising consultancy to universities and education institutions. Current and recent clients include Saïd Business School (University of Oxford), Harris Manchester College (University of Oxford), Loughborough University, Kennedy Memorial Trust, Northumbria University and The Purcell School.
At various points in my career I’ve:
- Been awarded a “Highly Commended” prize from the Legacy10 Awards for Excellence
- Been named as one of the UK’s “Top 25 Fundraisers under 35” by Civil Society’s Fundraising Magazine
- Been recognised by Fundraising Magazine as being one of the most “influential fundraisers” (whatever that means)
Clients tell me I’m particularly good at:
- Writing funding proposals and other fundraising material that people want to read and, more importantly, respond to
- Developing realistic and achievable fundraising strategies (both for revenue and projects) that they can actually implement
- Helping organisations identify their best prospects and developing realistic action plans to engage them
- Delivering engaging training that provides staff, trustees, artists and volunteers with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to raise more money
- Carrying out fundraising audits and making recommendations for how organisations can improve and grow their fundraising
- Reviewing opportunities for commercial income generating activity, including through retail and events