Passion Trust Conference 2018

Advert for The Passion Trust Conference 2019.

You are invited to the Passion Trust Conference 2018. It’s for anyone who is part of putting on Passion Plays or interesting in getting involved. The first port of call for support for directors, producers, actors, fundraisers, technicians and all volunteers.

This year’s conference is hosted by the Horchurch Passion as St Andrew’s Church, Hornchurch on Saturday 29th September 2018 from 9am – 5:30pm.

Main speakers, panel members and workshop leaders will have inspiring insights to help your Passion Play bring the Gospel to your town and city and there will be a special focus on the practicalities of putting on free events.

Tickets include Saturday events (conference registration, lunch and refreshments), as well as the Friday evening event ‘Voices of Easter’. Tickets to this event on Friday 28th September are complementary with conference registration and doors open at 7:30pm at North Street Halls, Hornchurch

Book accommodation online at Premier Inn, Romford or The Kilns. Or if you would like free accommodation, please contact conference@hornchurchpp.co.uk

Workshops and seminars will cover:
1. Script and rehearsals
2. Crucifixion
3. Fundraising and practical matters
4. Technical matters
5. Educational workshop and performance (from the Chelmsford Passion Play)
6. Working with clergy, press and social media

Actors and volunteers from the Hornchurch Passion will be performing an extract of their Passion Play and giving practical advice throughout the day. Representatives from the Colchester Roman Society will also be available to answer questions and provide help with all things to do with Centurions and Roman Soldiers.

Is fundraising like online dating?

Online dating is trying to find the right match among many differnet people. Fundraising for Passion Plays is similar to online dating in one respect: trying to find the right match for your Play among different trusts and funding charities. Finding this perfect match is the key to raising funds to tell the Easter story!

Once you find trusts and funders who are of a similar mindset and value the things you value, you are well on the way to a perfect match.

 

How do we find potential funders?

The Charity Commission’s Register of Charities allows you to search for free by using filters to narrow your search. (Remember, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate registers.)
Funding Central is another register that is free to access.
For a more expensive option, you can try the Directory of Social Change’s Funds Online website which is regularly updated.
Since Passion Plays bring many churches of all denominations together, your diocese can be a good source of information and signposting. For example, see the Diocese of Bristol and their list of funders here.  www.bristol.anglican.org/documents/diocesan-funding-guide/
The Christian Funders’ Forum is also a useful source.

 

How do we let funders know our project is a good match for them?

Now is the time to do some research and really think about compatibility with the funders you are researching.

You can research their online content, websites, and also Further information will be inread through their annual reports published on the Charity Commissions website (click ‘Documents’ tab). These annual reports will give useful imformation about projects they have previously funded.

A quick phone call can also be helpful in establishing contact and goodwill as you will be able to find out more about them and let them know what you do.

Remember here that one of the key elements is timing! Some funders have a set application process that requires you to apply before a deadline. Other funders have trustees’ meetings at set times during the year and those times are good to work with.

The timing of your project also matters. Some funders like to fund projects in the early stage of development, while others like to give funding when they see other funders have already contributed.

There is a lot to think about with fundraising! But Passion Plays are such unique projects that it can also be an enjoyable process. Many funders like to hear about large community arts events that tell the Easter story in fresh and inspiring ways. Not only do Passion Plays have large outdoor audiences across the UK each Easter, they are also unique spaces of community, skill-sharing, mentoring and investing in the lives of volunteers across all sections of society. They are more than a one-off performance and the impact spreads across the whole community for many months.

 

Where can I find more help with fundraising?

If you want more help with fundraising, we have plenty more tips and advice on our website here.

We have recorded sessions from previous Passion Trust Conferences including sessions looking at Finance & Fundraising, Administration and Practical Considerations, and Q&A sessions. You can see more information and watch short helpful videos on our website here.

You can also find lots of helpful tips and advice at The Benefact Trust here or click on the image below.

three bullet points with rows of text and images in blue bubbles with white icons for help with fundraising

 

A man wearing a knitted cap watches a Passion play, wondering what he can expect.

Passion Plays and faith communities

Does Government ‘do’ God?: An independent review into how government...

Actors portraying followers of Jesus wave brightly coloured flags around in procession as part of the Passion Play in Brighton

Looking for help with PR?

Looking for help with promoting your Passion Play? Do you...