Shaping better conditions: insights for funders from Beyond the Promise
Insights for funders on how expectations, structures, and support can enable or undermine meaningful digital progress.
These one-page briefing sheets are designed to share key insights from the Beyond the Promise report in a practical, accessible format for different audiences.
They offer a clear summary of findings, why they matter for your role, and immediate actions you could take, with references to the full research for those who want to explore further.
Whether you’re leading digital change, supporting delivery, funding innovation, or working on the ground, these sheets highlight how small shifts can build stronger, more resilient digital practice across the cultural sector.
Access to the full report is free for subscribers, sign up now to dive deeper into the insights, archetypes, and strategies shaping a more effective digital future.
The context for funders
The cultural sector has seen a surge in digital investment, but the impact of that investment doesn’t always match the scale of effort or ambition.
Beyond the Promise explores why: many digital projects fail not because of technology, but because of strategic misalignment, unclear goals, and organisational culture.
As a funder, you have unique influence, not only in what you choose to support, but in how you shape expectations around learning, pace, reflection, and capacity. The choices you make can create space for sustainable, meaningful digital progress.
What the report found
Failure is rarely technical, it’s systemic.
Most projects fail due to unclear goals, shifting priorities, under-supported teams, and siloed working. These issues often stem from organisational dynamics, not a lack of creativity or competence.
Reflection is consistently undervalued.
The pressure to deliver quickly means many teams move on without pausing to evaluate what worked or what didn’t. This stifles learning and leads to repeated mistakes.
Capacity is as important as innovation.
Many digital projects rely on overstretched individuals. External delivery outputs are often funded without strengthening internal infrastructure or skills.
Funders shape working culture.
Respondents noted that unrealistic deadlines, unclear expectations, and pressure to deliver “on time” can undermine project quality and confidence.
What this means for funders
Digital success requires more than strong ideas, it needs the time, trust, skills, and structure to bring them to life. Your support can either reinforce the delivery treadmill or make space for deeper, lasting change.
You don’t need to have all the answers but you can ask better questions.
Actions to consider
- Fund reflection as a core deliverable, not an optional extra.
- Prioritise internal capacity, not just external output. Invest in people, roles, and time.
- Support smaller, staged approaches over high-risk, all-or-nothing projects.
- Make space for learning by allowing pilots, iteration, and failure-with-purpose.
- Ask about project rationale and organisational readiness, not just deliverables and timelines.
- Support communities of practice, many organisations face similar digital challenges. Funders could play a key role in nurturing peer-to-peer networks.