First-Timers Kit

New to the ACF? Start here! This is your first-timers kit, designed to have you ready to fundraise before you can spell ACF backwards.

The animation below covers the key processes involved in using the ACF, from start to finish. For more info, check out our FAQs.

Here are some common questions for ACF first-timers:

• Am I eligible to raise money through the ACF?
  To be eligible to register a project you must:
  — be engaged in the promotion and presentation of arts and cultural activities; and
  — use a grant from Creative Australia within Australia or for the benefit of Australia

 

• Where should I start?
  Read through our FAQs. our ACF handbook, the A-Z of ACF and watch the ACF FAQ video series before you make a start.
  The ACF does not broker donations for you, but we are here to help you do it.
  If you have a fundraising strategy and a solid plan of attack, whether short and simple or long-term and involved, you are more likely to reach your target.

 

• How do I register on the ACF? 
  Start by watching this video.
  Here are the questions we will ask you when you create your profile, and when you register your project.  You can also access our  budget template in advance.
  If you’d like to dive straight in, here is the link to register.

 

• How long does it take to get my project approved?
  Projects are generally approved within 3 business days.

 

• Can I edit my campaign after it goes live?
  Via the Artist Dashboard you can update your images and video links once you go live, post progress updates to your page and view your donor list. You can also request text changes to your campaign, but those will come through to the ACF team to and update for you.

 

• What happens to donations if my project doesn’t reach its target?
  You keep what you raise!  And similarly if you go over your target – winning!

 

• Are there any fees charged on donations to the ACF?
  As of 9am AEDT 1 December 2021 there are no fees associated with using the ACF platform. Artists will receive 100% of the funds donated towards their campaign. The fee removal will not be applied retrospectively, so there will be no change to donations made prior to December 1.

 

• Can philanthropic trusts, foundations and Private Ancillary Funds give through the ACF?
  Yes they can. Check out this blog post on receiving grants via the ACF, and if you’re talking to a giving organisation and they need to know more about us, just let us know and we can help have that conversation with them.

 

• Can I give or receive any form of (tangible or material) benefit in exchange for an ACF donation? 
  No. The ACF is not a rewards-based fundraising platform. Your donors receive a tax-deductible receipt and as such cannot receive a tangible benefit. More about that here.

 

• How do I get the money once a supporter donates? How long does it take? 
  You will receive your funds in the form of a grant, in the month following the end date of your campaign. Find more info about this process here.

 

• How do I stay in touch with my donors?
  Your donors are your greatest supporters and you should make sure you thank them for their donation, and keep them posted on the project progress, as well as your future work.  To get in touch with your donors you access their email addresses via your Artist Dashboard.   Remember that posting an update to your campaign page will not automatically be seen by your donors, you need to send them your news directly!   Don’t go crazy, keep it regular but not too frequent, you want to make your donors feel valued but not bombarded!

 

• What is tax-deductibility exactly?
  Still not sure how it works? Watch this video.

 

• Can the ACF auspice my project? 
  No. We can receive your donations but not auspice (manage) your funds or project.

 

• What happens at the end of my project?
  You will need to acquit the money you raise through us, through an online form in your Artist Dashboard. For more information about payment and acquittals, read this blog post.

 

• How do I acknowledge the ACF?
  Where possible we ask that you acknowledge our support in media releases, launch/event speeches and other promotional opportunities.  Our logo and how-to guide can be found here.

 

Don’t forget all our FAQs are here.

And our blog has lots of useful case studies and articles to browse. 

 

If you’d like to make a time to chat with the ACF team by phone, please contact us, including your availability for a 15-minute discussion.

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