Hello, I’m James
I’ve been fundraising for over twenty years, first as a Charity Director and then as an independent professional.
I have raised over 1.75 million pounds for local communities from a diverse range of funders including the National Lottery, Arts Council England, Sport England, Youth Music, Children in Need and many charitable trusts and foundations.
I have worked with amazing organisations such as TreeSisters, Embercombe, Singing Mamas and Indigo Brave, and inspiring artists and teachers such as Olivia Fern, Briony Greenhill and Anna Fiorentini.
Working with me does not come with a guarantee but it will dramatically improve your chances of getting funded for the work you love. You will be bringing someone onto your team who asks the right questions, knows the funding language and can present your amazing work in the best possible light, ticking all the right boxes.
Hiring a fundraiser is a leap of faith but has been an absolute game changer for so many of the dedicated artists and organisations that I’ve worked with. If you’ve never applied for grants before or are struggling to explain your work to funders, then I would be happy to hear from you.
I am wishing you every success,
My approach to fundraising
Vision
A world where artists, community groups and change-makers are resourced and empowered. A society where funding is accessible and achieveable to all those creating positive change.
Mission
To help brilliant ideas come to life. To write compelling grant applications that raise money for meaningful and creative projects. To support inspiring organisations and artists to access the funding they need.
Values
To be friendly, approachable and easy to work with. To find solutions for clients who have not ordinarily been funded. To get my own projects off the ground and walk my talk. To be an artist and change-maker myself.
Fundraising with a difference
Flexible Options
Hire me to write the application for you or get training to write the bid yourself. Hire me to take charge of the process or get honest, clear feedback to guide your own efforts. Hire me for long-term impact work or one-off bid writing.
Alternative Culture
I specialise in helping people and groups at the fringes that are not normally funded, especially those in regenerative culture, progressive education, holistic health and environmental sustainability.
One-off Bid Writing
Choose a specific grant and hire me to make the application. No long-term contracts or retainers. Simple fee payments to share the risk. Perfect for smaller groups seeking start-up funding with no obligations or who want to test the waters.
New Groups
I offer friendly, funding advice to new organisations setting up in the community or to artists new to fundraising. I will help you navigate the funding world, simplify the language and get a first application submitted.
Lottery Specialist
My specialism and a brilliant place to start for funding. I have been writing Lottery applications for over ten years and know this funder inside-out. Many of my clients receive Lottery funding, year on year.
Crowdfunding
As well as bid writing, I offer 1:1 support to help people run successful crowdfunding campaigns on Indiegogo, Kickstarter or Crowdfunder. You will raise more money if you plan it out! Learn how to crowdfund effectively.
– Olivia Fern, Singer-Songwriter and Voice Teacher
“I applied for Arts Council funding last year and was overjoyed to be successful. I am super grateful to fundraiser James Frost for helping to bring this about. It feels so lovely to have Arts Council funding to support my work and to have the financial backing to pay all in involved in my project what they deserve to be paid.”
Training and Achievements
25 year career in the voluntary sector including roles with the King’s Trust, Energy Saving Trust, CPRE and other national NGOs.
Extensive fundraising training with Bill Bruty, NCVO and Directory of Social Change.
Over 1.75 million raised from National Lottery, Arts Council England, Children In Need, Youth Music, Sport England and many grant-making trusts and foundations.
Supported a wide range of clients to access emergency funding during the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.
Registered Access Support worker for Arts Council England.
Funded personally by Arts Council England, Help Musicians and other arts trusts, giving me extra insight.
Part of an amazing network of collaboration and creativity across the country - helping hundreds of people from inspiring charities, CICs, community groups and the creative sector to bring amazing projects to life.
Interested in working with me?
Complete a short enquiry form to tell me about your project. We can then arrange an introductory call to see I can support you.