Arts Council England is investing £1.6 million in 12 arts and cultural organisations in Birmingham and the West Midlands to help them build sustainable fundraising models.

Among those to benefit are Birmingham Opera Company, Black Country Touring and Orchestra of the Swan in Warwickshire.

The investment comes from the Arts Council's 'Catalyst Evolve' programme which is aimed at supporting organisations with a limited track record in fundraising to attract more private giving.

It offers match funding to incentivise philanthropic giving while investing in the skills, capacity and culture of organisations to enable them to raise philanthropic income.

Money raised by the organisations will be matched by the fund over the next three years.

Peter Knott, area director for Arts Council England, said: "Across the Midlands, arts and cultural organisations are working hard to secure alternative sources of income, which is why we launched our Catalyst Evolve programme to help support and develop long-term fundraising plans.

"Over the coming years, I'm looking forward to seeing how our match funding can make a real impact locally, delivering greater returns and helping our region's world-class arts and culture continue to thrive."

The 12 successful organisations in the West Midlands receive a total investment of £1.6 million are:

- ACE Dance and Music- £150,000 (Birmingham)

- BE Festival - £100,000 (Birmingham)

- Birmingham Opera Company - £150,000 (Birmingham)

- Craftspace - £150,000 (Birmingham)

- Services for Educations (S4E Limited) - £150,000 (Birmingham)

- Writing West Midlands - £142,100 (Birmingham)

- Black Country Touring - £150,000 (Sandwell)

- The People's Orchestra - £150,000 (Sandwell)

- Arts Alive in Shropshire and Herefordshire - £120,000 (Shropshire)

- The Hive (HMM Arts Ltd) - £92,185 (Shropshire)

- Pentabus Arts Limited -£98,890 (Shropshire)

- Orchestra Of The Swan - £150,000 (Warwickshire)