Topic: Alumni Interviews

What do our brilliant alumni think of NAFS online?

10th June 2021 by Emily Loveday

Check out what our most recent alumni had to say about their NAFS experiences. The next online School is 7th September – 12th October and the next residential option is 7th-12th November.

Lucy McNally reviewing some print with a fellow participant on NAFS in 2016

Alumna interview: Lucy McNally shares her story – NAFS and beyond

29th August 2018 by Anna Esslemont

Lucy McNally attended the National Arts Fundraising School in 2016, three years after joining LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) as Development Manager (Individual Giving). We caught up with her to find out what impact the School had.

Alumni interview: Lucy Blythe’s story – over 25 years of fundraising

12th April 2018 by Anna Esslemont

Lucy Blythe is one of the outstanding fundraisers of her generation – having held the most senior roles at a number of leading arts and cultural agencies including the RSA, The Victoria And Albert Museum and Kew Gardens. Across these agencies she has led a number of successful high-profile campaigns and projects.

Perfect timing – Rachel Cockett, Director of Development, Birmingham Museums Trust

28th September 2017 by Anna Esslemont

hortly after she took up her first fundraising role at Birmingham Museums Trust, a promotional leaflet falling out of a magazine led Rachel Cockett to the National Arts Fundraising School at the exactly the right time. Find out how it gave her the skills and confidence to take the Trust to a whole new level of fundraising success.

Getting to the top – Marina Jones, Royal Opera House

17th August 2017 by Anna Esslemont

This blog celebrates the journey of one of the UK’s most successful arts fundraisers – Marina Jones, Head of Trusts & Foundations at Royal Opera House. Read on to discover what she gained from the National Arts Fundraising School, and how it helped her achieve her fundraising goals.

Colin McKenzie, Director, House of Illustration

It began at the Barbican… my 29 year NAFS adventure

8th August 2017 by Anna Esslemont

When the National Arts Fundraising School (NAFS) opened it’s doors in 1988, Colin McKenzie was one of the first participants. Read about his fundraising journey since then and find out why he’s still benefitting from the programme, nearly 30 years after attending.

19 years post-NAFS and the learning is still having an impact

27th June 2017 by Anna Esslemont

In this guest blog, National Arts Fundraising School alumna Fiona Mason, now a freelance writer, arts consultant and Development Manager for Pacitti Company, shares her story since attending the School.

Creating the fundraising ninjas at Northern Broadsides