After producing all five editions of my solo show Not Just Jazz, and publishing music through my own label, you’d think I know it all about how to fund a project. I indeed have a good grasp of how to go about it. However, the first step for being an expert is remaining aware that you don’t know it all.

Wishing to improve my skills in this area, I resorted to Vernon Hogg and Davies Okeowo from Oxford Innovation Advice. In five sessions of their funding course, they taught me about the different ways I could try to get funding, what is expected from funding applications, grants and sponsorships, how to do a pitch, and what to have in mind while doing business, among other things.

Vernon and Davies were brilliant. They have a great delivery style and are very knowledgeable. I couldn’t ask for more excellent mentors. Following their guidance, I created a proposal document with which I’ll be able to approach possible sponsors. They gave me advice every step of the way, giving feedback on the text and images I used. Now that it’s done, I feel confident and optimistic in regard to the funding of my next project. I’ll tell you all about it in another post soon.

In the meantime, if you also have a project or a dream in mind, and you’d like to receive Vernon and Davies help, consider joining one of the courses they run regularly! You can contact them on LinkedIN (here’s Vernon profile, and here’s Davies’) or write to either vhogg@oxin.co.uk or dokeowo@oxin.co.uk.