DAVID SHOPLAND:
Fundraising, Bidwriting & Access Support
I am a fundraiser, bid writer & access support worker with nearly 20 years experience working across theatre, live performance & community arts in the UK & internationally. I have secured over £1,500,000 in public, charitable & trust funding, with a particular specialism in Arts Council England Project Grants( both Under & Over £30k applications), R&D funding & access led touring work aligned to the ACE Let’s Create strategy. With Arts Council England, as of 2026 I have an 84% success rate across more than 50 applications.
I have written & supported successful funding applications for a wide range of organisations, including FlawBored, DreamArts, Dhamaka Arts & The Pen Theatre. Alongside this, I have worked closely as both bidwriter and Acces Support facilitator with individual artists including Callum Patrick Hughes, Joakim Daun, Roann Hassani McCloskey, Craig Legg, Sid Akbar & Jamie Rycroft. I am often brought in when an application needs greater clarity, stronger articulation of artistic vision or a more confident approach to access, engagement & impact.
I currently work as a freelance Trusts & Foundations Manager for established theatre company Futures Theatre, where I have been instrumental in securing multi year funding from bodies such as the National Lottery & City Bridge Foundation, as well as project grants from charitable trusts including the Garfield Weston Foundation. This role sits alongside my freelance consultancy practice & allows me to work at both organisational & artist led levels.
“David’s expertise in fundraising and strategy has been instrumental in turning my creative ideas into sustainable, fully realised projects
Working with David Shopland has been transformative for my career as an independent actor and writer. His expertise in bid-writing and fundraising has enabled me to realise ambitious projects with clarity, integrity, and sustainability.
David’s support was particularly vital during the recent creation of my solo show God is Dead (and I Killed Him). His guidance helped secure essential funding that allowed me to pay collaborators fairly, dedicate proper time to development, and build the project’s long-term touring potential.
What makes David exceptional is his ability to align creative ambition with strategic thinking. He helps artists articulate the wider social and cultural value of their work while retaining its authenticity. His impact goes far beyond successful funding bids – he empowers artists to grow with purpose, confidence, and resilience. David’s contribution has had a lasting and measurable impact on both my practice and my professional trajectory."
- Callum Patrick Hughes (3 successful applications)
What I Offer
Fundraising & Bid Writing
I support artists & organisations to develop funding applications that balance ambition with realism by creating robust, dynamic applications that position themselves as strongly as possible for success. This includes Arts Council England Project Grants up to £100,000, trusts & foundations, R&D funding & touring support. I am particularly experienced in responding to funder feedback, restructuring unsuccessful applications & strengthening clarity around artistic vision, access, engagement & participant benefit.
Access Support Work
Alongside fundraising, I work extensively as an access support worker. This is an initiative through Arts Council England, where they will pay me as a freelance access support worker to offer assistance, guidance and support to any individual or organisation that faces barriers to applying for Arts Council England funding due to any disability, including invisible and self-identified disabilities. I have worked as an Access Support Worker for those who are visually impaired, physically impaired, suffer from mental health challenges, exhibit symptoms of ADHD, Anxiety, Depression and a wide range of neurodivergencies.
Strategic & Organisational Support
I also offer longer term strategic support for organisations, including funding strategy, narrative development & sustainability planning. This work often focuses on identifying appropriate funders, shaping multi year approaches & ensuring access & inclusion are meaningfully embedded across programmes.
How It Works
I usually work on a freelance consultancy basis, either supporting a single application or working alongside artists & organisations over a longer period. This can include early idea shaping, detailed feedback on drafts, full application writing or access support embedded across an entire project lifecycle.
My process is collaborative, honest & transparent. I ask detailed questions, challenge gently where needed & prioritise work that is sustainable for artists rather than overpromised for funders. I am particularly mindful of capacity, burnout & access when shaping delivery models.
I pride myself on being flexible and collaborative with each artist and organisation I work with; from regular zooms, check-ins and co-writing sessions to a more hands-off approach through information sharing using Google Drive, Dropbox or similar, where I will work independently to create a finished draft for clients to sign-off.
Rates are based around the ITC and ACE suggested day rate of £300. A single application for Arts Council England generally takes 3 - 4 days depending on the size of the funding request. If you qualify for Access Support, Arts Council England will cover these costs directly.
Contact
E-MAIL ME ON DAVID@FAKEESCAPE.ORG TO DISCUSS HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU IN GAINING FUNDING!