Build a focused fundraising strategy
Follow a clear, methodical process to develop a smarter and more focused strategy for your organisation.
Prioritise the right opportunities
Learn how different types of fundraising work, then evaluate what to do, what to drop, and how to resource it.
Strengthen your case and culture
Develop your central case for support and explore how to build a whole-organisation fundraising culture.
Set targets with confidence
Forecast income, set realistic targets, and leave with practical actions you can take straight away.
About the workshop
This course is for people who have some fundraising experience and want to develop a more strategic and sustainable approach. It will help you evaluate and prioritise fundraising opportunities, make better use of limited resources, and navigate a challenging fundraising climate with more confidence.
Developing an effective fundraising strategy requires method, a solid understanding of how fundraising works, and an honest look at where your organisation is now. We’ll walk you through a comprehensive process for developing a smarter strategy, sharing decision-making techniques you can use to focus your plans.
You’ll start with essential foundation exercises to clarify why fundraising is necessary, review current performance, and identify how to reach key audiences. From there, you’ll learn how to decide which fundraising activities to pursue, what to discard, and how to resource your plans for long-term success. Between the two sessions, you’ll complete short exercises to apply the learning to your organisation.
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the challenges facing fundraising and why a clear fundraising strategy matters
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how to review current fundraising performance and identify what needs to change
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how different types of fundraising work, and what their potential might be for you
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how to articulate the need for fundraising: how much you need to raise and why
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practical analysis tools, including Enhanced SWOT Analysis and Audience Mapping
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how to decide what to do, what to stop, and how to resource your fundraising plans
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developing your central case for support and supporting materials
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creating a whole-organisation fundraising culture
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forecasting income and setting targets
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Q&A on working with your Board and team, and fundraising in a post-pandemic landscape
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identify how best to fund and sustain your organisation’s work in a challenging fundraising climate
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bring together ideas from colleagues and trustees/directors into a coherent strategy
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get your organisation aligned on fundraising and agree what success looks like
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leave with clear actions you can take straight away and confidence to lead the next steps
This course is delivered online in two live sessions on consecutive days, with time for questions throughout. You’ll learn through guided input, practical decision-making tools, and applied exercises. You’ll be set some short exercises to complete independently between Day 1 and Day 2 to help you apply the process to your organisation.
This workshop takes place on Zoom.
You’ll use practical tools during the course, including Enhanced SWOT Analysis and Audience Mapping, plus templates and prompts to support strategy development, prioritisation, and income forecasting.
This course consists of two online sessions on consecutive days, with independent exercises to complete in between.
Day 1 (10:00–12:15, including a break)
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the current fundraising landscape and why strategy matters
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reviewing performance and what needs to change
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understanding different types of fundraising and their potential for you
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articulating the need for fundraising: how much you need to raise and why
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tools to help you: Enhanced SWOT Analysis and Audience Mapping
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exercises to work on before Day 2
Day 2 (10:00–12:45, with a short break midway)
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Q&A: working with your Board and team on your fundraising strategy
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deciding what to do, what to discard, and how to resource your plans
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developing your central case for support and fundraising materials
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creating a whole-organisation fundraising culture
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forecasting income and setting targets
- Q&A
This course is for people with at least some fundraising experience who want to take a more strategic, sustainable approach. If you’re completely new to fundraising, you may prefer our other workshops, Fundraising from Trusts and Foundations or Sources of Funding for Charities and Social Enterprises.
About the trainer
Mike Zywina has 15 years’ experience in the sector as a fundraiser, consultant, senior manager and trustee. He runs strategic planning workshops and training courses for charities and social enterprises, and designs major funding bids, with a particular track record in securing Lottery funding. As a strategy specialist, Mike brings people together to make better decisions, prioritise the right opportunities and build a more sustainable funding base.
Ally Rea is a marketing and fundraising professional with over 15 years’ experience for charities large and small. She has worked across bid writing, communications, and strategic and operational roles in the arts, heritage, disability, health and media sectors. Ally has also assessed funding applications for Arts Council England, bringing valuable funder insight into her trusts fundraising work and training.
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
This course is delivered by specialist fundraising consultants from Lime Green Consulting.
Essential skills in a day
Strengthen yourself and your projects in two 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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