Donate by text scheme launched

A new scheme to help arts patrons make donations to cultural institutions by text aims to raise funds for 11 organisations before being rolled out nationally at the end of the year. The National Funding Scheme for Arts and Heritage was first announced by then-Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt last summer and allows people to choose to make donations based on causes and campaigns identified by the participating institutions. Named ‘Donate’, the scheme will be introduced to visitors at venues including London’s Almeida Theatre, Baltic in Gateshead and the Octagon Theatre in Bolton. The scheme is partially based on the premise that people will give at the moment of greatest connection, having just visited a museum or watched a production. Other research has found that 48% of givers will increase their donation amount if they know how a donation is to be used, and Donate will be used to raise funds for named projects at participating organisations.