NICK LAWFORD
Helping good people make great things happen
I am a freelance fundraiser, project manager and access support worker based in Nottingham, UK.
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I have nearly 20 years’ experience working in charities and arts organisations, raising money
from corporate sponsorship, trusts and foundations, grant funding, individual giving, events,
crowd funding and community fundraising.
Whether you want someone to craft you a series of bespoke funding applications, research appropriate trusts and foundations, plan an event, find you a corporate sponsor, or develop a fundraising strategy or appeal, I would love to hear from you.
I am a member of the Institute of Fundraising.
Highlights from my Blog
RAISING MONEY
I have raised money from trusts, foundations and organisations including:
Arts Council England · Biffaward · Big Lottery Fund · Boots Charitable Trust · Equality & Human Rights Commission · Eurodesk · European Social Fund · Foyle Foundation · Garfield Weston Foundation · Goethe-Institut · Jane Tomlinson Appeal · JN Derbyshire Trust · Korea Foundation · Lady Hind Trust · Lancashire Environmental Fund · Moto in the Community Trust · Nottingham City Council · Polish Cultural Institute · PRS Foundation · Royal Norwegian Embassy · Sir John Eastwood Foundation · Thomas Farr Charity · Wesleyan Foundation · #iwill fund · Danielle Beccan Memorial Fund · Leche Trust · Jessie Spencer Trust
DEVELOPING SPONSORSHIP
I have developed successful sponsorship partnerships with companies including:
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Browne Jacobson · E.ON · Experian · Gleeds · Hallam · Ikano · InHealth · John Lewis · Jurys Inn · Nottingham BID · Nottingham City Transport · Nottingham Community Housing Association · Nottingham Trent University · PKF Cooper Parry · Potter Clarkson LLP · Robert Walters Group · Rolls-Royce · Romo · Sainsbury’s · Serif · Sky Arts · CarShop · 4C Group
Experience
Since going freelance in 2018 I have worked for charities including Drake Music, Tom Dale Company, Dance4, Dante or Die and Young Creatives Nottingham. Between May 2019 and March 2024 I have written more than 100 successful applications, generating £1.2 million.
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Between 2018 and 2022 I led on the strategic development of the charity and raised approximately £50k per annum from Arts Council project funding, corporate sponsorship and charitable trusts and foundations to support the annual Young Creative Awards.
In 2018/19 I raised over £40k from corporate sponsorship and trusts and foundations to support the delivery of the UKNA City Takeover Nottingham 2019 multi-arts festival. I went on to negotiate a sponsorship partnership with a global recruitment agency worth more than £50k over three years.
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Between 2015 and 2018 I managed a team of 6 fundraisers together responsible for generating £1.4m per year through community fundraising, corporate partnerships, individual giving, events and sponsorship. I led on the delivery of corporate partnerships, raising over £240k per year; negotiated the donation of a brand new car worth £10k as star raffle prize; achieved local charity partner status in 11 branches of Sainsbury's in 2017; and developed a successful programme of charity-led events including corporate golf tournament, Dragon Boat Race and QMC Abseil.
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Between 2008 and 2014 I achieved annual fundraising targets of nearly £200k per year to support the operation and development of the theatre through corporate sponsorship, individual giving, trusts and foundations, and events including large-scale fundraising galas. In addition I secured a commitment of £180k from Arts Council England through its Catalyst Arts programme.
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Volunteering
I am Chair of the Sharing Sherwood social eating community group. For 10 years I ran Hello Thor Records, a DIY independent record label and music promotion company. I am volunteer fundraiser with the Neuro Dropin Centre in Lancaster and a Trustee of Zephyr's in Nottingham.
CONTACT NICK
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Sharon Jackson
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Founder, Neuro Dropin Centre
Nick considered our needs and helped us identify the best ways to present our ideas and requirements to funders. His help, guidance and support has been invaluable.
Andy Afford
Former Chair,
Young Creatives Nottingham
Nick is the best I’ve encountered at what he does.
And he does pretty much everything.
Carien Meijer
Chief Executive, Drake Music
Nick is a highly experienced, knowledgeable, and versatile fundraiser with an excellent track record. During Nick’s tenure with Drake Music, he secured significant investment from a wide range of trusts and foundations.