ABOUT

Tell us who you are!

Ama Ofori-Darko, 27, Fundraising Manager at Royal Opera House.

So what do you actually do?

I raise money for the Royal Opera House through fundraising campaigns and appeals. I am also Director of Events and Partnerships for Young Arts Fundraisers, leading on YAF’s well-established London and digital programme of events. In addition I am on the Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust Youth Board using my fundraising experience to support the aims of Masterclass.

What has your career path been?

I originally wanted to be a singer, singing was something I had always done and as I got older I was encouraged to take it further. I auditioned and was offered a place to study Classical Singing at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Alongside my studies I also worked as an usher at the Royal Opera House. After two years at GSMD I decided to take a break and basically I never looked back.

I continued working at the ROH as an usher and that is where I first met the Development team. I worked with them on many fundraising events and when I was wondering about what I wanted to do next I looked into arts fundraising. I loved the idea of connecting people who loved the arts and had financial capacity to support an arts organisation.

Through the ROH Development department I learnt that internships were the best way into development. I couldn’t afford an unpaid internship and somehow found Creative Access. Creative Access ensures paid internships for under-represented backgrounds in the creative industries. Once you have a position you are also supported with masterclasses, a mentorship programme and also a cohort of other interns.

Through Creative Access I found and applied for an internship with TATE. Tate has one of the largest Development departments in Europe with 70 people and I was the first Williams Fellowship Fundraiser at Tate in 2017. The position was created in memory of Becky Williams who was Head of Development at Tate until 2016. This post was created to offer structured work-based learning opportunities to support career development and to open up opportunities for working in the fundraising sector. I worked with them for 10 months across Events, Major Donors, Corporates, Trusts & Foundations and Patrons. I even got to travel to Tate Liverpool and spend time with the Development department there. It was an incredibly rewarding experience and really highlighted the breath of arts fundraising.

As I came to the end of my internship I realised I had enjoyed all aspects of fundraising so had an array of job positions that I liked the look of. I ended up applying for the Development Officer position at the Donmar Warehouse. This was an opportunity to work within Individual Giving and memberships. I loved being back in Covent Garden and even was sent to my first work conference within a few months of starting.

After the Donmar I worked at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre also as a Development Officer. In this role I worked across income streams fundraising through individuals, corporates and fundraising events. Moving to the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre allowed me to work in a smaller team where I really enjoyed working across the different aspects of fundraising.

I then went on to work as Fundraising Manager at the Kiln Theatre. This role was a fixed term maternity cover. This was my first time as a manager and being on a fixed term contract. In this role I worked across individuals, corporates, events and legacies. This role was quite a large step up for me and allowed me to take a role in managing my own campaigns in a small team. I started this role remotely in December 2020 which was a very strange task in itself. Meeting my colleagues remotely on zoom was very odd!

Then in May 2021 (just before my birthday) I applied for the role of Fundraising Manager at the Royal Opera House. I had always wanted to return to the ROH in a fundraising capacity since I left in 2018. This role was the perfect combination of all the things I loved in fundraising and the opportunity to be back where my fundraising journey started. I was pleasantly surprised to land an interview and then be subsequently offered the job. All my experience had led me to this moment. This was my first time line managing and working within a larger organisation again.

What is the best part of your job?

That no day is the same. We also have a live feed of the stage in our office so getting to hear and watch world class singers, dancers and musicians every day is a pretty great perk.

Why do you do your job?

I do it because I love the arts. The arts have been a part of my life since I was a child and mostly through subsidised schemes. I was able to have lessons in violin, recorder and singing through the generosity of others. I also had a full scholarship to study at Junior Trinity for three years through donors. This changed my life and the way I saw the world and my place in it.

My job allows me to be a part of raising money for the Royal Opera House (a charity) and bring the arts to all. The work the ROH put on is world-class and should not be for a small part of the population. These art forms are wonderful expressions of emotions and wonderful storytelling and I am proud to be a small part in making sure as many people as possible get to experience it!

One piece of advice for someone starting in your role?

Do not be afraid to say you don't know something and to ask questions.

I wasted so much time trying to be perfect which was impossible as I was just starting out. Just be yourself, that is why they hired you in the first place. As soon as I was my true self everything fell into place. It also allowed me to connect with my colleagues easier and form deep bonds in all of the organisations I have worked in.

I would also recommend asking to shadow other departments. As a fundraiser you need to know what is going on throughout the organisation and no better way than to ask other departments what they do and what they may need from you. That way you can also see how you may need them and the best way to communicate your needs to them. It also is just a great way to learn about the full scope of your organisation.

Any parting words?

I am always happy to chat with people about what I do and how I got my role. I am regularly sent applications when they are looking for the next Williams Fundraising Fellow. I love offering advice and speaking about the charity sector. Also I love talking so do look out for an upcoming podcast from me!

In terms of career advice, take your time to find out what you want to do and what you enjoy doing. If I learnt anything from being in lockdown and furlough is that I wanted to spend my time doing and spending time on things that really fuelled me and sparked joy. In terms of career path I was lucky that fundraising was something I enjoyed but I had planned out various other paths and journeys in case I didn’t.

I also have two mentors who during the pandemic were instrumental in me gaining my self-confidence back as a fundraiser. Also if you have an inkling of what you would like to do, look up people doing that position and see if you can contact them. I love using linkedin for that!

Check out Ama’s socials below!

DAY IN THE LIFE

The only thing that I definitely do every day is check my emails.

I started my role in August 2021 so have been able to work in the office everyday. I started my role at the Kiln Theatre remotely and it definitely took some time getting used to the building and meeting colleagues in person. Although I know the Royal Opera House building very well I was not used to being in a department of over 40, so I made a choice to work most days in the office.

Depending on the work I do for Young Arts Fundraisers and the Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust I may get to work at 9am for a meeting with the other directors or the board. Work actually begins at 10am so by then I am usually already through my email list.

Everyday I write a to-do list of the things I need to complete that day. At the beginning of the week I make a to-do list for my weekly tasks and my longer term projects. This allows me to plan out my days around any meetings, keeping on top of any upcoming deadlines.

I manage the Royal Opera House appeals and campaigns so if we currently have a campaign running I check what emails I may have going out that day and liaise with our Audience and Media Team. At any given time I may be simultaneously running an appeal, while planning a separate campaign and arranging filming throughout the theatre with our artists.

I like to set out focus time in my diary if I am writing a copy for an event or need to plan for an upcoming meeting. I work with a variety of teams so I am constantly in contact with other departments. Part of my role is managing the contactless devices for the front of house spaces. That means communicating with the device providers, our IT team and FOH.

I don’t usually have breakfast (I know very bad) so I am usually hungry by midday. I plot out lunch in my diary every day. In previous roles I ate at my desk and worked through my lunch break. I now make sure to get away from my desk and head out into the piazza to get some fresh air and up my step count. The ROH has a brilliant canteen so I usually eat something from there and maybe listen to a podcast. I am currently alternating between Sibling Rivalry, The Receipts Podcast and Why Won't You Date Me (My favourite, hosted by the dazzling Nicole Byer)

After lunch I get back to answering emails, planning campaigns and taking seat namers on a tour of the building. You can name one of our red velvet seats in our main auditorium or our purple seats in our Linbury theatre. Seat Namers get a tour of the building and their seat so we have been taking people on tours. It’s a wonderful moment to swot up on the incredible history of the Royal Opera House and the three (yes three) theatres that have stood on this site. Once I get to the end of the day I check my calendar for meetings or deadlines the next day and start wrapping up. I will then try to leave the office by 6.

After work I might be heading to the theatre, to a movie or just out with a friend. My board work sometimes means I sometimes have meetings after 6 with my team planning our upcoming events and team strategy. I also have been taking dance classes on Friday which has been a great opportunity to challenge myself and meet new people.

I usually get to bed just before midnight (on a good day). I am currently watching Succession, You and Insecure (I have been rewatching from the beginning for the 2nd time) so I will watch an episode (or two) and then hit the sheets.