Build a funder pipeline
Map your funding needs and identify high-value trust and foundation prospects.
Strengthen your case
Develop a compelling central case for support that matches funders’ priorities.
Write standout bids
Make the most of limited time and craft applications that rise above the competition.
Manage relationships
Improve reporting, record-keeping and ongoing communication to build funder trust.
About the workshop
Trusts and foundations make over £4 billion in grants each year, but competition is high. On this practical online course, you’ll build the tools and confidence to secure more funding by taking a more strategic approach to trusts fundraising.
We’ll guide you through a five-stage process: clarifying and prioritising your funding needs, building a strong pipeline of funders, shaping a compelling central case for support, writing bids that stand out, and managing reporting and relationships well. You’ll also explore what funders are thinking and prioritising as the sector continues to rebuild after the pandemic, and how to tailor your applications accordingly.
Across two live Zoom sessions you’ll get time for questions, plus short exercises to complete between days to apply the learning to your own work.
- The current grant funding landscape and what funders prioritise
- Insights from funders: what they say, what they mean, and what to do next
- The five stage process:
- Stage 1: Mapping and prioritising your funding needs
- Stage 2: Building a pipeline of potential funders
- Stage 3: Developing a central case for support
- Stage 4: Bid writing to stand out and save time
- Stage 5: Reporting, record-keeping and relationship-building
By the end of the course you’ll be able to:
- Take a step back and plan a more strategic trusts and foundations approach
- Prioritise your income needs and focus your bid pipeline
- Strengthen your case for support so it speaks to funder priorities
- Improve the clarity and impact of your applications
- Put simple systems in place for reporting and relationship-building
- Apply insights from the ‘other side of the desk’ to increase your chances of success
This course is delivered live online on Zoom across two sessions on consecutive days.
You’ll learn through:
- Practical teaching with examples from successful bids
- Time for questions throughout
- Exercises to complete independently between Day 1 and Day 2 to apply the five-stage process to your own work
Between the two sessions you’ll complete short exercises to start applying the five-stage process to your organisation.
To get the most from the course, bring a real project you want to fund (or a draft application) so you can work with your own examples.
Day 1 (10:00–12:15, including a break)
- The state of grant funding after the pandemic and funder priorities
- Stage 1: Mapping and prioritising your funding needs
- Stage 2: Building a pipeline of potential funders
- Stage 3: Developing your central case for support
- Exercises to complete before Day 2
Day 2 (10:00–12:45, including a break)
- Stage 4: Bid writing: standing out and using your time well
- Stage 5: Reporting, record-keeping and relationship-building
- Insights from the other side of the desk
This course is for people with some bid writing experience who want to win more grants from trusts and foundations. It’s ideal if you’d like to step back and take a more strategic approach, understand what funders are thinking and prioritising, and fine-tune your applications to stand out in a competitive funding environment.
About the trainer
This course is facilitated by Mike Zywina and Ally Rea.
Mike has 15 years’ experience in the sector as a fundraiser, consultant, senior manager and trustee. He runs strategic planning workshops and training for charities and social enterprises, and designs major funding bids, with a strong track record in securing Lottery funding. As a strategy specialist, Mike helps teams make better decisions, prioritise opportunities and build a more sustainable funding base.
Ally is a marketing and fundraising professional with over 15 years’ experience working with charities large and small. She brings bid writing, communications, and strategic and operational experience across the arts, heritage, disability, health and media sectors. Ally has also assessed funding applications for Arts Council England, bringing valuable insight into what funders look for.
Impact skills for anyone
Our workshops are designed for people looking to create impact, but anyone, anywhere can join.
15% off for Early Birds
A limited number of Early Bird tickets are available at a discount of 15% off.
Expert-led course
Learn a practical five-stage approach from trusts fundraisers with 20+ years’ combined experience, including insight from the funder side.
Essential skills in a day
Strengthen yourself and your projects in 2 short sessions. Take part in discussions and exercises. Come away with practical actions.
Feedback about SSE workshops
87 %
of people score 8/10 or above for quality of facilitation
84 %
of people score 7/10 or above for usefulness
758
Workshop places booked in 2025
FAQ
If you have any questions that are not answered here, please feel free to contact us.
Yes, we can offer any of our workshops or completely bespoke training on request. Please contact us to discuss the options.
You are very welcome to book for multiple people but each individual joining the workshop must be booked on to join, even if sharing a computer. You can select your number of tickets when you make your booking.
If you are booking for 3 or more people, feel free to contact us to enquire about a group discount.
Cancellations or booking changes can be made up until 7 days before the workshop. You may change the name of the person attending at any time but only one person can join the course per booking.
If you wish to make a change or cancellation please contact us and state the name of the workshop and email address used to make the booking.
This workshop takes place online via Zoom. Once you have booked your place you will receive joining instructions in your confirmation email and in reminders closer to the time of the workshop.
All currently available dates are listed in the Book now section. We run most of our workshops repeatedly throughout the year, so if you cannot see further dates, they may not have yet been scheduled. Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of the page to be kept up to date.
We do not record all our workshops as they are interactive workshops and watching back a recording does not provide the value of taking part live. It also allows people to speak more freely when taking part in discussions within the workshop.
Please see our section on Prices.
At the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE), we back people with purpose. With practical learning that makes sense in the real world. With funding that grows as you grow. With mentors, peers and people who’ve been there and done it. We don’t care where you started. We care about where you’re going and the difference you want to make in your life, in your community, and in the world.
Find out more about SSE here.
You can see the times under the dates in the Book Now section. All the workshops are on London, UK time.
If you have a question that is not answered on this page, please feel free to contact us.
Prices
Select a date in the Book Now section to see prices. Please note:
- The price is based on your organisation’s total annual income, regardless of profit.
- Our pricing is designed to be as accessible as possible for people wanting to create impact at any scale.
- The prices you can see are already heavily discounted, particularly for smaller organisations.
- There are no additional discounts for not-for-profits or government organisations.
Early bird tickets
A limited number of Early Bird tickets are available at a discount of 15% off.
Group bookings
If you would like to make a booking for 3 or more places please contact us to get a price for a group discount.
Bespoke training and support
We have a range of options for delivering impactful training to your organisation or organisations you support. Get in touch to find out more.
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