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Podcast Episode

How Queer Britain Tripled Visitor Donations Through Pay What You Can with Andrew Given

Skip the Queue··7 August 2026·33 min

About this episode

How can museums increase revenue without charging mandatory admission? Andy Povey is joined by Andrew Given, CEO of Queer Britain, who shares how Queer Britain's Pay What You Can model generated more than three times the previous donation income while making the museum more accessible to visitors. The discussion covers fundraising strategies, donor psychology, visitor data, inclusive storytelling, partnerships, and why cultural organisations should embrace experimentation and innovation.   Topics Discussed The founding story of Queer Britain Building the UK's national LGBTQ+ museum Operating without government funding Diversifying museum income streams Pay What You Can admission strategy Tripling visitor donations through voluntary giving Donor psychology and visitor behavior Making museums more accessible Collecting visitor data through online bookings Using visitor insights to improve experiences Community engagement and volunteer programs LGBTQ+ history and cultural preservation Museum storytelling and exhibitions Partnerships with major cultural institutions Innovation in museums and visitor attractions Lessons for nonprofit fundraising Sustainable museum business models Improving the visitor journey Simplifying online ticket booking The future of museum innovation   Show references:    Andrew Given - Chief Executive at Queer Britain Museum https://queerbritain.org.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/queer-britain/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/awtgiven/   Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your guest host is Andy Povey. If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm. If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn. Credits: Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster) Edited by Steve Folland Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster) Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth. Download your FREE copy here