Marina Jones
About
Marina Jones completed her MA at the University of Kent with Distinction in 2021 with a dissertation exploring legacy giving and is currently Executive Director of Development & Public Affairs at the English National Opera.
She was previously at the Royal Opera House for 13 years, where she was Head of Membership and Fundraising Appeals and, before that, Head of Trusts and Foundations. She worked on three major capital campaigns, audience engagement, apprentices, endowment, learning and participation, core support and even toilets. Before joining the Royal Opera House, Marina worked for arts and cultural charities, including the Lyric Hammersmith, Polka Theatre and the Orange Tree.
Research interests
Marina’s research interest are fundraising history, legacies and behavioural science.
Marina is volunteer project lead for the Rogare (fundraising think tank) history of fundraising project exploring how and who ought to tell the history of fundraising and uncovering all sorts of fascinating stories of fundraising from the past which has published a chronological history of fundraising.
Publications
‘“When I go my family will see my life in programmes”: legacy giving and identity at the Royal Opera House’ Journal of Philanthropy and Marketing with Dr Claire Routley, 2021
‘Experimenting with behavioural economics in the arts and cultural space’ chapter in Change for Better – Behavioural science lessons from the world’s top practitioners (eds Maddie Croucher, Omar Mahmoud, Meredith Niles and Bernard Ross) on the world’s largest arts fundraising experiment and how cultural charities can use decision science, 2021
Helping Supporters Chose: Decision Science in Fundraising co-author with Dana Segal and Bernard Ross on a guide to using behavioural economics and decision science in fundraising, 2020
Teaching
Marina is always keen to share her experiences and knowledge mixing practice, academic theory, behavioural economics and history. Marina has spoken at Dublin Fundraising Summer School, Festival del Fundraising in Italy, IWITOT (I Wish I Thought of That) for SOFII, Chartered Institute of Fundraising Convention and Conferences, La Scala Milan Arts Management course and to MA and MBA.
Marina has taught on National Arts Fundraising School and worked as a consultant on projects with Edinburgh Zoo and Vienna Ballet. She regularly teaches masterclasses on decision science and how to apply its insights to fundraising. Activating legacy campaigns for Culture & Business Scotland.
Supervision
Marina is a mentor through EVOLVE Chartered Institute of Fundraising and informally mentors many young fundraisers. She co-chairs the Performing Arts Development Directors Group and for over a decade co-ran the Arts Trusts Conference leading peer learning and delivering specialist conferences.
Professional
She is a Trustee of the Orange Tree Theatre, Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival and Pusey House, Oxford.