Case Studies: Developing Organisations
Fundraising & Strategic Development for Ando Glaso
The Problem
Ando Glaso, a Roma-led living heritage and arts organisation in Glasgow, sought multi-year funding to support its work, but it had neither the capacity nor the specialist expertise in-house to identify and write the often-complex grant applications.
The Solution
Brought onboard on a retainer agreement, we worked as the organisation's de facto strategic development and fundraising department, working with the Director to devise a strategy and business plan which were essential in securing larger funding awards. Since we joined their team, Ando Glaso has received significant multi-year funding from 3 separate sources total many hundreds of thousands of pounds. This is helping to stabilise their organisation and develop their important living heritage and arts work.
The Organisation Said:
"We have worked with Expressing Scotland for several years now, and they have become an important part of Ando Glaso’s journey. They have supported us with everything from developing new ideas and projects to fundraising, project management and evaluation. Their support has helped us secure significant multi-year funding from Creative Scotland, Glasgow City Council, and the National Lottery Young Start, which has made a real difference to the growth and stability of our organisation. What I value most is that they really understand who we are, what we are trying to achieve and the communities we work with. It feels like they are genuinely invested in helping us succeed." Janos Lang, Creative Director, Ando Glaso
Case Studies: Developing Organisations
Strategic Development Work for North East Arts Touring (NEAT)
The Problem
North-East Arts Touring (NEAT), a rural touring scheme in Aberdeenshire, sought to write a new 10-year plan ahead of their (subsequently successful) application to become a Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funded Organisation (MYFO). They needed someone external to the organisation, but familiar with their work and sector, to conduct a short research project to inform the plan.
The Solution
They engaged Expressing Scotland to design and deliver the project. It comprised focus groups with some of their stakeholders, the distribution of a survey, the leading of a development day for their staff and board, and the writing a report of our findings. NEAT then used the report, as well as the raw 'data', to ensure that the voices and ideas of those in its wider ecosystem informed its new plan.
The Organisation Said:
"Expressing Scotland has been instrumental in shaping NEAT's new 10-year Creative Strategy due to their exceptional knowledge of the Scottish arts and culture landscape. As a musician, Simon [Director] understands the challenges and rewards of touring and has expertise in community engagement and strategy. This has helped NEAT develop a plan to create a more cohesive and impactful service for rural communities and artists. Simon's contribution has inspired our staff and board to approach the delivery of our work in a way that will have significant cultural and social outcomes by embracing the Theory of Change" Emyr Bell, Artistic Director & CEO, North East Arts Touring
Case Studies: Developing Organisations
Fundraising & Strategic Development Work for Raven AfrKulture
The Problem
Raven AfriKulture is an African-led arts and heritage organisation based in Aberdeen. As a relatively new organisation founded in 2024, the Directors sought business development support to elaborate and execute strategic and fundraising plans with a view to increasing the income and stability of the organisation.
The Solution
They have engaged Expressing Scotland on a small on-going retainer agreement to provide this support. We worked to secure the organisation's first grant from CEMVO's Ethnic Minority Development Fund, and have been advising on the submission of a larger scale bid. At the time of writing, we are working with the Directors to develop a strategic plan that will provide the solid footing required to access larger, longer-term grant funding.
The Organisation Said:
"Working with Expressing Scotland has been truly transformative for Raven AfriKulture and the work we do within cultural and creative spaces. Their support has gone far beyond surface-level engagement, helping us strengthen our foundation as an organisation committed to uplifting voices that are often unheard. A key area of impact has been their guidance in structuring and writing grant applications. This not only enabled us to access vital funding, but also gave us the confidence to tell our story more effectively and place our work within wider cultural conversations." Adedeji Ekundayo & Adebayo Winsala, Directors, Raven AfriKulture
Case Studies: Developing Organisations
Developing Organisations Through Training in Aberdeenshire
The Problem
The Online Bothy is an online capacity-building and training programme for those in Aberdeenshire who are leading or running arts and/or heritage activity in the region, focusing on the 'backstage' skills (planning, fundraising, evaluation etc.) required to deliver successful community-based initiatives. North East Arts Touring (NEAT), who deliver the project, needed someone to design and deliver the 6-session Online Bothy syllabus on its behalf.
The Solution
They have contracted Expressing Scotland to provide these services for the 5 Online Bothy editions to date. Working with NEAT, we created a syllabus that, while it changes slightly with each edition, broadly covers storytelling, co-design and consultation, bid-writing, and monitoring & evaluation. Satisfaction levels among attendees is very high, and NEAT continues to receive the funding from Aberdeenshire Council to deliver the project.
The Participants Said:
"Since the course I have applied for grant money from three different organisations and have been successful on all three occasions. The amounts were £1000, £1200, and £17000. The things I learned on the course where invaluable to me, particularly with SSEN where we got the £17k for a generator."
Online Bothy Participant Feedback, 2025
"The content of the programme was incredibly insightful and helped to breakdown the unreachable feeling I had when thinking about applying for funding." Online Bothy Participant Feedback, 2025