Write strong outcomes and impact
Turn your idea into clear activities, outcomes and impact that funders can understand quickly.
Learn from a winning application
Unpick what made a successful Awards for All bid work, and how to apply it to yours.
Show co-design and consultation
Learn how to evidence consultation, co-production and community voice – what many funders expect.
Build a realistic, clear budget
Create a budget that reflects true costs and is easy for funders to follow.
About the workshop
Writing a successful funding application is a short, live online workshop for people who are new to grant fundraising – or who want a refresher.
Using the National Lottery Community Fund’s Awards for All online application form as our example, we’ll look at what funders are really asking for and how to answer clearly. You’ll work through the main sections of a successful application, explore how to describe your project activities, outcomes and impact, and consider how to evidence consultation and co-design. There’s also time to start sketching out your own application, spot gaps and decide your next steps, with space for questions and expert input.
-
what Awards for All looks for in an application
-
how to structure strong answers, using a successful bid as a guide
-
how to describe your project activities, outcomes and impact
-
how to evidence consultation, co-design and co-production
-
tips for writing clearly and concisely within tight word counts
-
how to develop a budget that funders understand and that reflects real costs
-
how to identify gaps and strengthen your draft before you submit
-
step through a successful funding application and see what makes it work
-
get practical advice on outcomes, co-production and budgeting
-
start shaping your own application during the session, with time for questions
-
take a step back, identify what’s missing, and plan what you’ll do next to build a stronger bid
You’ll learn through a guided walk-through of a real, successful Awards for All application, short explanations from the facilitators, and practical writing and budgeting exercises. You’ll have time to start drafting your own answers, reflect on what you need to do next, and ask questions throughout. The session includes breaks.
This workshop is delivered live online via Zoom.
We’ll use the National Lottery Community Fund’s Awards for All online application form and an example of a successful application during the session. To get the most from the workshop, come with a project idea (and any existing notes) so you can start sketching your own answers and budget.
10am–1pm (including breaks). We’ll cover what Awards for All looks for, walk through the key sections of a successful application, and practise writing activities, outcomes and impact. We’ll also look at how to evidence consultation and co-design, develop a clear budget, and identify what to improve before submitting. There’s time for Q&A and to start drafting your own application.
This introductory workshop is for anyone who wants to understand the core principles of writing a strong funding application. It’s particularly useful if you’ve started a social enterprise and want to attract new income, or if you’re part of a fundraising or development team within a charity and want to boost your bid-writing skills. No previous experience is needed.
About the trainer
This workshop is delivered in partnership with Lime Green Consulting.
Mike Zywina is a fundraiser, consultant, senior manager and trustee with 15 years’ experience in the charity and social enterprise sector. He designs major funding bids and has 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 Rea is a marketing and fundraising professional with over 15 years’ experience across charities large and small. She has worked in bid writing, communications and strategic and operational roles across the arts, heritage, disability, health and media sectors. Ally has also assessed funding applications for Arts Council England, and brings this funder perspective into her trusts fundraising work and facilitation.
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 few hours
Strengthen yourself and your projects in less than a day. 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.
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.
Other workshops
Latest resources & news
- News
- News
The Mission Economy Summit is returning!
Secure your place for Mission Economy Summit, Thu 5 March at Rich Mix, London. One day to build resilience: funding, social investment, wellbeing, crisis leadership, EDI, community power and more.
- Videos & webinars
- Build specific skills
Witness session: Adapting to change
Annie Francis, founder of Independent Midwives, explains how shifting strategy helped Neighbourhood Midwives prove how their model works.
- Videos & webinars
- Get peer support or connect with others
Community Engagement: Getting your community to turn up
We hosted a powerful and practical session led by Paulette Singer, co-founder and director of Our Yard at Clitterhouse Farm – a thriving community business in north-west London.