CAN YOU CIC IT? is looking for a freelance grant funding specialist to work with our Welsh representative to secure grant funding for our growing range of projects in Wales. The ideal candidate will have an extensive knowledge of, and relationships with, different funders who work across the areas we are expanding into, as well as a proven track record of writing successful applications.
CAN YOU CIC IT? is a community interest company, founded in 2016, focusing on development, education and community opportunities in music all around the UK. There is a strong emphasis on areas of low arts engagement and supporting people who fall out of mainstream opportunities due to gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status and location.
Delivering our main project, Independent Venue Week, over the past 8 years has enabled us to build an extensive network of music venues and develop relationships with various education and community organisations around the country.
Our plans for the future are to bring these groups together to offer those looking for safe, well run spaces, a place to hold their activity which is based in the heart of their local community whilst supporting these venues with daytime activity whilst they are quiet, enabling them to find additional ways to sustain themselves alongside live music.
By championing these venues, we are able to highlight why they are so much more than just places for live music – they are cultural hubs for learning, creativity, arts and culture more widely connecting people in their local community of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, genders, skills and walks of life.
We have three main projects within CAN YOU CIC IT?:
Independent Venue Week (IVW) is a 7-day celebration of music venues around the country and a nod to the people that own, run and work in them, week in, week out.
These venues give artists their first experience of playing live in front of an audience. They give fans somewhere to get up close to artists that one day, may well be playing stadiums and festival main stages. They also provide those wanting a career in music, off the stage, the chance to learn their craft up close in a small venue.
Independent Venue Week is unique in that it is a nationwide initiative with a completely local feel.
These venues, all local businesses, are the backbone of the live music scene and Independent Venue Week recognises all that they have done to create some of the most memorable nights of the past so they can continue to do the same in the future.
IVW has run for the past 8 consecutive years at the end of January and we are now planning for year 9 as well as our 10th anniversary in Jan 2023.
Independents Day (ID) brings together stakeholders from across the grassroots live music community to share experiences and discuss challenges and opportunities within the independent grassroots live music sector.
The London-based conference hosts a series of panel discussions, break-out sessions and networking opportunities. ID takes place during the summer, another traditionally quiet time for venues due to the festival season.
Yes We Can (Yes We Can) is our development, education and community platform, all centred around music. This is yet to be officially launched, having been delayed by the pandemic, although we have a thorough plan of activity for the next two years covering workshops, networking and group sessions. The main areas of focus are:
- Early Years
- Education
- Mental Health and Well-Being
- Disability
- LGBTQ+
- Older Generation (in particular Loneliness and Dementia)
CAN YOU CIC IT? has existing relationships with the following organisations:
- Arts Council England
- Creative Scotland
- Arts Council Wales
- Creative Wales
- Arts Council Northern Ireland
- Youth Music
- PRS Foundation
The Role
Representing the organisation with key supporters and funders, you will be responsible for developing and implementing an organisational and revenue fundraising strategy targeting; trusts, foundations, statutory funders, Lottery, individuals, corporate supporters and local government in Wales.
You will work with our existing funders, proactively research and identify new appropriate funding opportunities for the region, make introductions (ideally from your existing relationships) and take the lead in developing high-quality, tailored grant applications.
By working closely with our Welsh rep and the wider CAN YOU CIC IT? team to fully understand our participants, our activities, skills and needs of the organisation, you will oversee grant submissions and maintain project reporting.
You will support CAN YOU CIC IT? to develop and implement innovative fundraising programmes in Wales to significantly increase income to enable us to continue and expand our work in Wales.
Principal activity:
• To support our Welsh rep and wider CAN YOU CIC IT? team with the development and implementation of a multi-source fundraising and income generation strategy.
• To develop and diversify our income streams with particular focus on
trusts, foundations, statutory funders, lottery and local government in Wales.
• Work in conjunction with the welsh rep and CAN YOU CIC IT? team to raise our profile with funding organisations in Wales
• To achieve CAN YOU CIC IT? annual fundraising income targets for the region in line with organisational planning and associated budgets.
• To prepare management information reports in respect of CAN YOU CIC IT?’s
fundraising activity for Wales
• To maintain positive relationships with all relevant stakeholders
• To keep up to date with and comply with current fundraising legislation
and standards
Essential Skills and Experience:
• Highly focused on delivery, results and an excellent return on investment
• Experience of researching prospects, preparing and submitting tailored applications, with a proven track record of raising significant income from Trusts, Foundations, local government and other grant-making bodies in Wales
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills – you must be a great ‘wordsmith’ able to clearly explain complex delivery programmes, outcomes and impact in a clear and concise fashion
• Success in budget management, reporting and tracking performance
• Strong time management and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Resilience, particularly when faced with setbacks
• Excellent organisational and IT skills
• Empathy with the mission, values and strategic aims of CAN YOU CIC IT?
What we’re looking for;
We’re a small team here so we’re keen to have someone who has a good sense of humour and broad shoulders – ours is a rollercoaster world and there are times when we have to juggle a number of things under challenging circumstances.
The wellbeing of everyone who works with us if of the utmost importance.
This role is offered on a freelance basis initially with fees to be discussed based on a daily rate / a percentage of the grant amount secured.
We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion or belief.
Start – ASAP. Application deadline Friday 28th May
Please contact Sybil Bell sybil@canyoucicit.com and Chloe Craven-Ward chloe@canyoucicit.com if you are interested.