Case study:Achates Generates Income: National Museums Liverpool

Laura Pye, Director, National Museums Liverpool

The first task Achates was commissioned to deliver was a review of the project budget for the project in order to inform a Fundraising Feasibility study. Drawing on our extensive experience of leading and advising on more than 100 cultural sector capital projects we reviewed the budget using our model and projected a figure which is almost exactly that the Museum is working to today.

As cultural sector fundraising experts, we developed both a Capital Fundraising Feasibility Study and a Combined Capital and Revenue Fundraising Strategy in 2020 as well as fundraising mentoring in 2021 for the senior team. From 2022 to 2024 we supported the development phase of the successful £10m NLHF application including the development of a set of priority audiences informed by extensive community, staff, and external comparator organisation consultation: the creation of an Activity Plan in line with National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) requirements and an impact evaluation framework. The project required the convening of experts across maritime heritage, slavery, and its legacies, and tourism, and demonstrates our ability to convene and lead project teams across a broad range of issues and lead them to a unified outcome. The process has required the creation of an impact evaluation framework that reflects the priorities of this diverse range of interest groups whilst also meeting the requirements of funders including NLHF, DCMS, and HM Treasury (Levelling Up) all within an environment that has held UNESCO Heritage Status. Central to this framework were considerations of both EDI and climate impact and given the focus on the legacies of slavery, there is a particular focus on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. Other elements of the work have included the development of a programming framework and audience journeys developing a methodology for NML which is also proposed to Eyam.

Further to carrying out a Fundraising Snapshot for National Museums Liverpool (NML) in late 2020, which was then followed by a Fundraising Feasibility Study Snapshot in early 2021, and then a Combined Capital and Revenue Fundraising Strategy; Achates carried out a series of training workshops supporting the senior staff team in implementing a fundraising culture across NML. The workshops were designed to set the context for fundraising, to empower staff, and to support them in embedding this approach across their own teams.