FAQs
- What is MATCH Lab?
MATCH Lab is our matched funding program for independent artists and small groups.
The program aims to build artists’ skills in fundraising, increase their knowledge of philanthropy and business partnerships, develop their broader arts business experience and learn more about creating sustainable sources of revenue for their work into the future.
Recipients will have the opportunity to put those skills into practice with a fundraising campaign for a nominated project – a campaign that will be boosted by Creative Partnerships Australia matching funds raised, dollar-for-dollar.
- How does MATCH Lab work?
Successful participants will come together for the Raising Money for Your Art clinic, a two-day intensive fundraising and professional development opportunity.
This clinic will help attendees workshop their fundraising aspirations and develop their careers as creative entrepreneurs. Attendees will benefit from a wealth of information on raising money for projects, planning projects for different types of fundraising activities, strategies for fundraising success and nurturing relationships with donors and sponsors.
Armed with that planning, the next step is to develop and implement your own tailored fundraising campaign. We’ll match whatever you raise, up to $5,000 – a great incentive to get people on board with your project and practice.
- What do I get?
As part of MATCH Lab we’ll fund your attendance at the Raising Money For Your Art clinic if it takes place in person, including your return airfares, two-nights’ accommodation and selected meals. Alternatively, depending on current health advice relating to COVID19 the clinic will be delivered online. We’ll match dollar-for-dollar money raised through your fundraising campaign up to $5,000 per participant.
- Why matched funding? How does that work?
Glad you asked! We are focused on helping artists learn how to fund their art in sustainable ways, so they can build a career. Our research shows that matched funding is an especially powerful tool in leveraging support from the private sector and maximising an investment in you as an artist.
It’s a great incentive that encourages more value for donations, higher levels of engagement from donors, and helps artists build relationships that can continue long after a particular project has been and gone.
- Who should apply for MATCH Lab?
MATCH Lab isn’t for everyone. This isn’t a traditional arts or grants program – it’s designed as an intensive, hands-on professional and business development opportunity.
We’re looking for people who have lots of ideas and passion for their art and want to arm themselves with knowledge of how they can make a sustainable path for their work.
When assessing applications, we’re looking for independent artists or small group of artists who can show:
- a demonstrated track record of arts practice
- your professional experience, direction and goals
- your capacity to fundraise and build private sector support (individual donations, crowdfunding, philanthropy, trusts or foundations, and business sponsorship) for your work.
- I was successful with MATCH Lab in the previous year. Can I apply?
No. If you were a recipient of MATCH Lab in the previous year you cannot apply.
- How much funding is available?
We’re able to fund up to 40 participants to attend the two-day fundraising and professional development clinic and receive up to $5,000 in matched funding from us for their fundraising campaign.
- Does MATCH Lab support crowdfunding campaigns?
Yes! However, an important part of MATCH Lab is the development, with our help, of the fundraising strategy that’s right for you, your practice and your project.
- Should I contact you before I submit my application?
Yes! We strongly recommend that you give us a call to discuss your application before submitting it. We’re here to help and answer any questions you may have.
- Can I apply more than once in the same round?
No. We will only consider one application from each applicant in each round.
- Can you help me write my application?
We can’t read over your application, but we can guide you through the process and talk through your ideas.
We’ve developed resources and case studies on our website that help you think holistically about your professional practice and develop knowledge about the various income streams available to artists across government funding, crowdfunding, donations, foundations, sponsorship, and selling products and services. Our expectation is that you have taken the time to read these important resources before applying.
If you’d like to talk to someone, no problem at all – pick up the phone and call our programs staff, or book an appointment with one of our State Managers.
- Do I need to supply any support material?
No. You don’t need to upload or attach any support material to your application. Any additional information (letters of support etc.) that is uploaded or attached to the application won’t be included in the assessment.
- How do I maximise my chances of a success?
The most important thing you can do is read all the resources we’ve put together for you. Read the guidelines and application forms thoroughly before you apply, and well before the closing date!
We also encourage you to chat to our programs team before applying. Pick up the phone and call our programs staff, or book an appointment with one of our State Managers.
- How do I fill out the budget in the application?
The budget in the application is for your PROJECT that you are raising the funds for. It should also include your fundraising costs.
In your budget you must also:
- include your private sector fundraising target AND the Plus1/MATCH Lab funding amount you are requesting in your income
- include all income sources for your project/activity. e.g. other government sources (federal/state/local council), ticket income etc.
- include CONFIRMED (C) or NOT CONFIRMED (NC) next to all income sources
- balance your budget for the application to be eligible for assessment (total income = total expenditure)
See below example for how to complete the budget in your application.
Income $ Expenditure $ Plus1 or MATCH Lab grant (NC) $3,000 Expense item 1 $300 Fundraising event 1 (NC) $1,000 Expense item 2 $1,200 Online fundraising campaign (NC) $2,000 Expense item 3 $4,000 Other government grant (C) $12,000 Expense item 4 $6,708 Ticket sales (NC) $1,800 Expense item 5 $3,000 Expense item 6 $250 Expense item 7 $3,500 Expense item 8 $842 Total $19,800 Total $19,800 - What do you mean by ‘leveraging’?
Leveraging is just another way of explaining how you will use the dollar-for-dollar matched funding to attract donors and partners and reach your fundraising target. This is not your typical grant or funding opportunity – the harder you work it, the better the result!
- Do I need to attach a budget quote for every item in the budget?
No. You only need to upload a budget quote or invoice for large expenses to qualify a large amount of money.
