Join LANDS – Lancashire’s Arts Network for Developing Sustainability – for their next LANDS Talk:
10am – 11am, Thursday 5 February 2026
Online
Join LANDS – Lancashire’s Arts Network for Developing Sustainability – for the next LANDS Talk, a timely and practical session exploring how arts and cultural organisations can navigate ethical challenges in today’s increasingly complex funding landscape.
In Ethical Fundraising: Making Value-Driven Decisions in an Increasingly Complex Landscape, Sarah Shooter will examine the principles and practice of ethical fundraising and sustainability, offering practical guidance on making values-driven decisions while balancing financial need with organisational integrity.
The session will explore what constitutes an ethical source of income, how to assess prospective donors, sponsors, and partners, and the tools available to conduct proportionate due diligence. Participants will consider key indicators of risk — including reputational, social, political, environmental, and community impact — and learn practical methods for evaluating alignment between potential funders and organisational mission and values.
The discussion will also address the often-challenging process of declining funding that conflicts with an organisation’s ethics. Through real-world scenarios, attendees will explore how to make defensible and transparent decisions, communicate them effectively both internally and externally, and embed ethical frameworks into long-term fundraising strategies.
By the end of the session, participants will gain a clearer understanding of how ethical decision-making can strengthen trust, loyalty, and resilience across audiences, donors, and stakeholders — and how principled fundraising supports sustainable futures.
LANDS Talks are short, practical talks on climate action and the arts curated by LANDS, the Lancashire Arts Network for Developing Sustainability. They are completely free to attend and are always held online. Look out for announcements on future LANDS TALKS on our website and on Arts Lancashire’s LinkedIn page.
Membership of LANDS is open to artists and arts organisations from across Lancashire. To enquire, please contact Georgie Cunningham at lancs.artsnetwork@gmail.com
Sarah Shooter is an experienced, award-winning fundraiser with more than 20 years of expertise across the arts and cultural sector. As Director of Patron Experience at Theatre Royal Wakefield, she leads strategic initiatives spanning fundraising, communications, programming, visitor services, and box office operations, ensuring every audience member, participant, supporter, and visitor enjoys an exceptional and welcoming experience.
A passionate advocate for the transformative power of the arts, Sarah plays a central role in advancing the theatre’s mission to make Wakefield a culturally vibrant and inclusive place. She oversees the development of sustainable income streams that safeguard the future of the historic Matcham theatre and support its extensive community and participation programmes.
Alongside her Wakefield role, Sarah serves as Deputy Director of the National Arts Fundraising School, where she supports smaller organisations to build resilience and grow their impact. Her recent consultancy and training work includes projects with Creative Berwick and Arts & Culture Lincoln, as well as coaching international staff at MSI Reproductive Choices to become confident and effective fundraisers.
In 2025, Sarah was seconded to Blackpool Grand Theatre to establish a new fundraising strategy and advise on wider development initiatives. A skilled project manager, she has designed and delivered creative programmes engaging diverse audiences — work that has earned national recognition.
Sarah brings passion, creativity, and strategic insight to every role, championing the vital role of fundraising in sustaining and strengthening the cultural sector.
Registration is now open.
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