Proposal Writing - Developing your Skills - Online course

One day online course

Online courses take place via Zoom and include a one hour lunch break as well as brief refreshment breaks.

Duration: 1 day course with morning and afternoon break and lunch time (time- 10.00-16.00).

Physical copy of book included: The Guide to Major Trusts 2025/26

About

This course helps participants move on from simply writing good fundraising applications to grant-making trusts and foundations to how to make yours really shine and attract the attention needed to guarantee a ‘yes’ from funders You’ll work on your own trust proposals, learning what could have made it better and how to improve it to hugely increase your chances of success. This is a fully hands-on course, working with others as well as finding out lots of hints and tips to help develop your writing techniques. Learn in one day what you need to know and as a result hugely improve the amount of money coming in from trusts.

Who should attend?

This intermediate level course is for those who have already tried their hand at writing applications to grant-making trusts and foundations and would like to improve their technique. It is aimed at fundraisers, chief executives and other senior staff who have at least 6 months’ experience of fundraising and are approaching grant making trusts and foundations.

Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Have an understanding of their current style and how it can be improved
• Make your proposal stand out from the crowd, attracting the attention you need to succeed.
• Increased confidence and success from finding out about the terminology used by trusts and how to respond.
• Know how to research trusts to find out what they are looking for in the application/proposal to ensure you’re meeting their core objectives.
• Write in a way that is concise, engaging and demonstrates commitment.

What will it cover?

• What funders are looking for and how to meet their criteria
• How to build a strong case for support that convey urgency and passion as well as demonstrates the need and convinces of the impact of the work
• Reading between the lines – what funders are looking for
• How to convey a good track record and demonstrate credibility
• Use facts and figures effectively to add weight to your proposals
• Consider added value of volunteer and in-kind support
• Receive a critique of your funding application
• Advice on presentation of proposals
• How to answer typical application form questions well
• There will be a mix of trainer led learning as well as group breakout rooms.

Trainer: Gill Jolly, DSC Associate

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