Funding Resilience: The Fundamentals of Arts Fundraising

Schedule

Thu Nov 06 2025 at 10:00 am to 04:30 pm

UTC+00:00

Location

Youth Action | Belfast, NI

Advertisement
A practical workshop on all things fundraising!
About this Event

Join fundraising consultant Oonagh O’Donovan from OKC for a one-day workshop, "Funding Resilience: The Fundamentals of Arts Fundraising,". Led by Oonagh O’Donovan, Director of Strategy & Operations at OKC, this practical course explores the core principles of successful fundraising in the arts sector today.

Through interactive sessions, participants will:

· Explore essential topics such as fostering a culture of philanthropy within their organisations, crafting a compelling case for support, and identifying the most effective fundraising avenues to strengthen your organisation's financial resilience and drive its philanthropic impact forward.

· Drawing from real-world examples and case studies, attendees will gain invaluable perspectives and practical strategies to elevate their fundraising efforts.

· Connect and network with others over refreshments!

With a proven track record of success, OKC brings extensive experience to the table. From 2018 – 2024 OKC delivered the RAISE Programme on behalf of the Arts Council of Ireland, a fundraising capacity building programme to drive private investment for arts and culture organisations. The RAISE programme enabled over 100 arts and culture organisations, to fundraise approx. €20 million in private and philanthropic income and an additional €5m in budget relieving in-kind support. Now, OKC extends this wealth of expertise to A&B NI members and beyond, equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in today's competitive fundraising landscape.


Doors open from 9:30am and starts at 10am

Lunch is included with Tea and Coffee on arrival

For more information or accessibility enquires please contact [email protected] or ring us on 02890735150



Oonagh O’Donovan –Director of Strategy & Operations at OKC

Oonagh O'Donovan has been with OKC since 2020, where she serves as Director of Strategy & Operations. With over 10 years of experience in strategic fundraising, Oonagh specialises in philanthropy, corporate partnerships, prospect research, and capital campaigns. She leads OKC's work with arts, culture, and heritage clients, , the National Concert Hall and National Museum Ireland .

Oonagh has managed portfolios of supporters ranging from €1k to €500k+ and has overseen multimillion-euro capital campaigns. She is also an expert prospect researcher, using OKC's DIAL model and detailed network mapping to identify and engage donor prospects.

Before joining OKC, Oonagh held roles at leading arts organisations such as the Royal Court Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, and The Public Theater in New York, where she was part of the team that raised over $4.5m through its 2016 Annual Gala, The United States of Shakespeare.

Oonagh also serves as Interim Fundraising Management for the Dillon Quirke Foundation, supporting their corporate and philanthropic efforts. She holds a B.A. from Trinity College Dublin and an MSc in Strategic Management and Marketing from Technological University Dublin, where she graduated with First Class Honours.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/oonagh-o-donovan-106621a3/


About OKC

Since 2002, OKC have been working across the not-for-profit sector to enable philanthropic impact. Led by Mary O’Kennedy, the OKC team collectively brings years of fundraising experience and an extensive knowledge of the Irish philanthropic and corporate environments and a network of connections from across Ireland and beyond.

Enabling philanthropic and corporate investment in the arts & cultural sector is a key strand of OKC’s work. OKC works extensively across the broad charity and social enterprise sector and with arts and cultural organisations, as part of OKC’s delivery of the RAISE programme for the Arts Council of Ireland, to initiate and grow philanthropy, strategic partnerships and multi-channel stakeholder engagement programmes.

OKC offers a hands-on, client-centred approach and a wealth of knowledge on fundraising, philanthropy, marketing and communications strategies, whilst also being able to draw on the perspective and expertise of our OKC Associates who specialise in various complementary fields, including Digital, Sustainability/ESG and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Internationally, we engage with a broad network of civil society consultants through EU Consult, the European Association of Consultants to and about the not-for-profit sector.

OKC is values-led, impact-driven and passionate about enabling social change through philanthropy.


Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Youth Action, 14 College Square North, Belfast, United Kingdom

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

GBP 36.00 to GBP 120.00

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Arts & Business NI

Host or Publisher Arts & Business NI

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Belfast

Social Wednesdays at The Hatfield - Belfast's Sports Night
Wed, 05 Nov at 10:00 pm Social Wednesdays at The Hatfield - Belfast's Sports Night

THE HATFIELD HOUSE, BELFAST

SPORTS
BSPR 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting
Thu, 06 Nov at 08:00 am BSPR 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting

Titanic Hotel Belfast

MEETUPS NONPROFIT
The Big Marketing Meet Up
Thu, 06 Nov at 08:00 am The Big Marketing Meet Up

ICC Belfast

MEETUPS
Camera Kit Care
Thu, 06 Nov at 09:00 am Camera Kit Care

Sunbelt Rentals, Oakbank Rd, Channel Commercial Park, Belfast, BT3 9DU

WORKSHOPS
Belfast Beer & Cider Festival 2025
Thu, 06 Nov at 12:00 pm Belfast Beer & Cider Festival 2025

Banana Block, 310 Newtownards Road, BT4 1HE Belfast, United Kingdom

FESTIVALS BEER-FESTIVALS
Speed Dating Belfast Ditch or Date ages 60s and 70s.
Thu, 06 Nov at 02:00 pm Speed Dating Belfast Ditch or Date ages 60s and 70s.

The Tipsy Bird

SPEED-DATING
THE FACTORY SESSIONS: Chubby Cat
Thu, 06 Nov at 06:00 pm THE FACTORY SESSIONS: Chubby Cat

The Tropical Ravine

Mandala Painting
Thu, 06 Nov at 06:00 pm Mandala Painting

9 Queens Road, BT3 9DT Belfast, United Kingdom

ART FINE-ARTS
Pottery Painting Experience | Weekend Afternoons
Sat, 19 Jul at 10:00 am Pottery Painting Experience | Weekend Afternoons

32 Botanic Ave

ART FINE-ARTS
Belfast Pottery Painting (Weekday Afternoons)
Fri, 01 Aug at 12:00 pm Belfast Pottery Painting (Weekday Afternoons)

32 Botanic Ave

ART FINE-ARTS
Kids Pottery Painting
Sun, 07 Sep at 10:00 am Kids Pottery Painting

32 Botanic Ave

KIDS ART
Harry Potter Themed Pottery Painting
Tue, 16 Sep at 05:00 pm Harry Potter Themed Pottery Painting

32 Botanic Ave

ART FINE-ARTS
Studio Ghibli Themed Pottery Painting
Tue, 30 Sep at 05:00 pm Studio Ghibli Themed Pottery Painting

32 Botanic Ave

ART FINE-ARTS
Abseil for Sense
Sun, 19 Oct at 09:15 am Abseil for Sense

Europa Hotel Belfast

CONTESTS NONPROFIT
Centra Run Together 5k & 10k, Ormeau Park Sunday 19 October 2025
Sun, 19 Oct at 09:30 am Centra Run Together 5k & 10k, Ormeau Park Sunday 19 October 2025

Ozone Complex Ormeau Park

NONPROFIT SPORTS
Toilet Humour (A Stand-Up Fundraiser)
Sun, 19 Oct at 07:00 pm Toilet Humour (A Stand-Up Fundraiser)

Sunflower Public House

COMEDY ENTERTAINMENT
Belfast Youth Assembly
Wed, 22 Oct at 06:00 pm Belfast Youth Assembly

Forthspring Inter-Community Group

NONPROFIT CHARITIES
Cultural Governance Conference 2025
Thu, 23 Oct at 09:00 am Cultural Governance Conference 2025

The Duncairn

ART BUSINESS
A Night of Queer Music in aid of Rainbow Refugees
Thu, 23 Oct at 07:30 pm A Night of Queer Music in aid of Rainbow Refugees

Oh Yeah Music Centre

NONPROFIT CHARITIES
PLAN-B Private Party No.40 - 5th ElementNI - 24 Oct 25
Fri, 24 Oct at 09:00 pm PLAN-B Private Party No.40 - 5th ElementNI - 24 Oct 25

5th ElementNi

PARTIES ENTERTAINMENT

What's Happening Next in Belfast?

Discover Belfast Events