- Workshop
Sources of Funding for Charities and Social Enterprises
Explore a wide range of funding sources and leave with practical next steps to build diverse income streams for your organisation.
- Online
- March 31, 2026
- Duration: A few hours or less
SSE CEO Alastair Wilson explains a simple but powerful approach to securing early‑stage funding. Reflecting on his own mistakes as a new founder, he explains how he used to spend entire meetings enthusiastically pitching his idea, only to realise that this left no space for funders to engage.
Alastair describes the shift that changed everything: explain your idea in two minutes, then stop talking and start listening. By asking experienced people, “Why won’t this work?”, he gathered the objections that really mattered—lack of track record, missing evidence, untested assumptions—and used them as a roadmap to strengthen his proposal. Returning later with solutions to each concern built trust and opened the door to investment.
His message is clear: funding comes not from talking more, but from creating space for others to contribute, challenge, and ultimately support your idea.
Related courses
- Workshop
Winning Grants from Trusts and Foundations
Practical online course to help you secure more funding from trusts and foundations through stronger prospecting, bids and funder relationships.
- Online
-
March 24, 2026 – March 25, 2026
More dates available - Duration: Just a day or two (short, one-off)
- Workshop
Writing a Successful Funding Application
Beginner-friendly, practical workshop to help you write a strong funding application, using the 'National Lottery Community Fund Awards For All' form as a real example.
- Online
-
May 6, 2026
More dates available - Duration: A few hours or less
- Workshop
Developing a Fundraising Strategy
A practical online course for people with some fundraising experience who want a clearer, more strategic approach to prioritising opportunities and building sustainable income.
- Online
- September 29, 2026 – September 30, 2026
- Duration: Just a day or two (short, one-off)
Related resources
- Information & toolkits
- Access funding
How to…find funding for a social enterprise
Finding funding can feel complex. This guide brings together trusted places to start: major UK grant providers, grant information and search tools, and social investment options.
- Information & toolkits
- Start or launch something new
How to…start a social enterprise
If you’ve got an idea that could help people or the planet, this guide is for you.
- Videos & webinars
- Start or launch something new
Witness session: Tips for start ups
Simon Boyle shares practical start‑up advice: find a mentor, challenge yourself, build a strong team, communicate your vision, seek support, celebrate small wins, and keep growing.