Grants Unlocked 2025 - Online on Thursday 18 September 2025

Securing grants is more competitive than ever, with increasing demand for funding and shifting priorities from grant-makers. To succeed, charities must refine their approaches, tell compelling stories, and build lasting relationships with funders.

Grant Unlocked 2025 is a one-day intensive online conference designed to equip you with the latest strategies, skills, and insights to enhance your grant fundraising success. Whether you’re new to grant fundraising or looking to refine your expertise, this event will provide you with the tools you need to secure vital funding for your organisation.

Join us for a day of expert-led sessions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities to ensure your charity is grant-ready and positioned for success in 2025 and beyond.

Why attend?

• Enhance Grant Writing: Learn how to craft compelling applications that stand out to funders.
• Build Long-Term Relationships: Discover how to engage and maintain strong partnerships with grant-makers.
• Stay Ahead of Trends: Understand the latest shifts in grant-making priorities and funder expectations.
• Improve Your Success Rate: Gain insider tips on strengthening proposals and securing repeat funding.
• Hear from Experts: Learn from grant professionals and funders about what makes a successful application.
• Network and Share Best Practices: Connect with peers from the UK charity sector to exchange ideas and solutions.

What’s included in the price?

• Full access to all conference sessions and interactive workshops.
• Keynote presentations from leading funders and grant specialists.
• A digital copy of Grants Fundraising.

Agenda

09.30 – 09.45: Welcome & Introduction 

• Join us for opening remarks, event navigation tips, and key information to help you make the most of the day.

09.45 – 10.30: Opening Keynote: Familiarity Means Funding

• Learn strategies for maintaining and growing strong funder relationships, securing repeat funding, and demonstrating long-term impact. Gain insights into how best to nurture grant-maker partnerships.

Speaker: Neela-Jane Stansfield, Author, Grants Fundraising

10.30 – 11.30: Breakout sessions 

Choose from the following two options:

Proposal Writing in 2025

• Learn to craft compelling, funder-aligned proposals with clear objectives, strong narratives, and measurable outcomes. Practical implementation of AI and funder expectations will be shared.

Speaker: George Knight, Training Consultant, DSC

 Measuring and Reporting Impact

• Objective data is important, but subjective outcomes will also excite the funder. Understand what funders are looking for in impact measurement and how to present compelling reports that demonstrate your organisation’s effectiveness.

11.30 – 11.45: Coffee Break 

11.45 – 12.45: Breakout sessions 

Choose from the following two options:

AI in Fundraising

• Discover how AI is transforming the fundraising landscape. Learn practical ways to integrate AI tools into your grant applications, donor engagement, and impact measurement while avoiding common pitfalls.

Common Mistakes in Grant Applications (and How to Avoid Them)

• Learn from our speaker about the mistakes they see in the grant applications they receive. Experience a deep dive into frequent errors that lead to rejections and practical solutions to help your applications stand out.

12.45 – 13.00: Networking

13.00 – 13.45: Lunch

13.45 – 14.15:Funder Insight: How Do Funders Select Grantees?

• Get a behind-the-scenes look at the grant decision-making process. Learn what funders prioritise, the red flags that can lead to rejection, and how to position your organisation for success.

14.15 – 15.15: Breakout sessions 

Choose from the following three options:

Developing a Grant Fundraising Strategy

• Learn how to create a structured, long-term plan for securing grants, diversifying funding sources, and maintaining financial sustainability.

Self-Care for Grant Fundraisers

• Managing deadlines, rejections, and workload can be challenging. This session will provide tools to maintain wellbeing while sustaining fundraising success.

Speaker: George Knight, Training Consultant, DSC

15.15 – 15.30: Coffee Break 

15.30 – 16.15: Closing Keynote: Beyond Grants – Fundraising for the Future

• A strong grant fundraising strategy is the foundation, but long-term success can rely on diversifying income streams. This keynote will explore how charities can leverage other areas of fundraising, such as corporate partnerships, major donors, and community fundraising, once they have built a strong base from grant fundraising.

16.15 – 16.30: Closing Remarks & Conference Ends

Event sponsor

As the only 100% nonprofit-focused Microsoft Dynamics partner, Total Enterprise Solutions (TES) are committed to driving change and innovation in the nonprofit sector. A Microsoft Solutions Partner, they specialise in providing Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and Business Central finance solutions, tailored specifically to the needs of charities. By combining these technologies with their sector-specific IP and services, they enable nonprofits to streamline their operations, focus on their mission, and achieve their goals faster and more effectively. Find out more.

Ticket prices

Please choose your breakout sessions on the booking form below.