Funding Focus
Join us to connect with funders and learn about available funding opportunities.
Welcome to Funding Focus 2026 – South West London Funding Conference
Join us for an inspiring one-day conference “Meet the Funders” on Wednesday, 25 March at Everyday Church Wimbledon, just a short walk from Wimbledon rail station.
The event is a collaboration between six Councils for Voluntary Services (CVSs) from South West London, Sutton, Croydon, Wandsworth, Merton, Kingston and Richmond, working together to connect local groups with funding opportunities.
The day will be packed with expert insights, hands‑on learning, and valuable networking opportunities, designed to boost your fundraising confidence, skills, and strategy.
Groups based in SW London are eligible for a 50% discount. Please contact your local CVS to obtain your discount code, and remember to apply it at checkout.
Due to the limited number of tickets allocated per borough (25), we will be operating on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, we have limited bookings to one ticket per organisation to ensure as many groups as possible have the opportunity to attend. If you need more information about the event, or if the ticket cost is a barrier, please get in touch with your local CVS. They will be able to help.
What to Expect
This interactive event is your chance to meet funders in person, build relationships, ask questions, explore new trends, and strengthen your skills in securing funding.
The day will combine presentations, one-to-one conversations with funders, and practical workshops designed to support organisations at every stage of their funding journey, such as:
- Presentations, Discussion Panels & Workshops led by experienced funders and sector specialists
- Expert advice on applications, eligibility, budgeting, AI, funding strategy, impact, and more
- Marketplace conversations with major funders and support organisations
- Opportunities to connect with national and local funders, and peers across South West London
- Lunch and refreshments included to keep you fuelled throughout the day
Featuring Representatives From
You’ll hear from and meet around 12 funders and partners, including:
- The National Lottery Community Fund
- London Funders
- The National Lottery Heritage Fund
- London Catalyst
- Shanly Foundation
- Charity Excellence
- Groundwork
- Merton Giving
- Croydon Almshouses Grant Fund
- Superhighways (KVA)
- The Ethical Property Foundation
Why Attend
Whether you're new to fundraising or looking to refine your approach, this event will help you build confidence, strengthen your income streams, sharpen your bids, and make valuable connections to take your project ideas forward.
Agenda
09:30 – 10:10: Registrations & Refreshments (Room 1)
10:10 – 10:30: Opening remarks - Welcome from CVS’s CEOs and Special guest: Helen, Director of Policy & Partnerships, London Funders (Plenary)
10:30 – 11:00: The National Lottery Community Fund (Plenary)
11:00 – 11:30: Shanly Foundation (Plenary)
11:30 – 11:40: Comfort break
11:40 – 12:25: Panel Discussion: Applications are over-subscribed: how competitive is it and how to stand out? Panellists: NLCF, London Funders and London Catalyst (Plenary).
11:40 – 12:25: Panel Discussion: Exploring Corporate Partnerships. Panellists: TBC (Room1)
12:25 – 13:10: Kristina Glenn, London’s Giving (Plenary)
12:25 – 13:10: Groundwork (Room 1)
12:25 – 13:10: The National Lottery Heritage Fund (Room 2)
13:10 – 15:00: Marketplace (see below) + Lunch (Plenary)
13:59 –15:30: Workshops (see below)
15:30 – 16:00: Closing Remarks by CVS’s CEO + Special Guest TBC
Workshops
13:50 – 14:35 - An Introduction to Income Generation Strategy - Hilary Bell, Community Support & Development Expert (Room 1)
13:50 – 14:35 - Purposeful AI Fundraising - Ian McLintock, Founder of Charity Excellence (Room 2)
14:35 – 14:45: Comfort break
14:45 – 15:30: Budgeting for Funding Applications - Merton Connect (Room 1)
14:45 – 15:30: Evidencing Need in SWL: 8 Key Datasets to Look At - Superhighways (KVA) (Room 2)
Marketplace
- The National Lottery Community Fund
- The National Lottery Heritage Fund
- Shanly Foundation
- London Catalyst
- Groundwork
- Merton Giving
- Croydon Almshouses
- The Ethical Property Foundation
- Superhighways
For more information, please visit the Funding Focus 2026 Webpage.
Join us to connect with funders and learn about available funding opportunities.
Welcome to Funding Focus 2026 – South West London Funding Conference
Join us for an inspiring one-day conference “Meet the Funders” on Wednesday, 25 March at Everyday Church Wimbledon, just a short walk from Wimbledon rail station.
The event is a collaboration between six Councils for Voluntary Services (CVSs) from South West London, Sutton, Croydon, Wandsworth, Merton, Kingston and Richmond, working together to connect local groups with funding opportunities.
The day will be packed with expert insights, hands‑on learning, and valuable networking opportunities, designed to boost your fundraising confidence, skills, and strategy.
Groups based in SW London are eligible for a 50% discount. Please contact your local CVS to obtain your discount code, and remember to apply it at checkout.
Due to the limited number of tickets allocated per borough (25), we will be operating on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, we have limited bookings to one ticket per organisation to ensure as many groups as possible have the opportunity to attend. If you need more information about the event, or if the ticket cost is a barrier, please get in touch with your local CVS. They will be able to help.
What to Expect
This interactive event is your chance to meet funders in person, build relationships, ask questions, explore new trends, and strengthen your skills in securing funding.
The day will combine presentations, one-to-one conversations with funders, and practical workshops designed to support organisations at every stage of their funding journey, such as:
- Presentations, Discussion Panels & Workshops led by experienced funders and sector specialists
- Expert advice on applications, eligibility, budgeting, AI, funding strategy, impact, and more
- Marketplace conversations with major funders and support organisations
- Opportunities to connect with national and local funders, and peers across South West London
- Lunch and refreshments included to keep you fuelled throughout the day
Featuring Representatives From
You’ll hear from and meet around 12 funders and partners, including:
- The National Lottery Community Fund
- London Funders
- The National Lottery Heritage Fund
- London Catalyst
- Shanly Foundation
- Charity Excellence
- Groundwork
- Merton Giving
- Croydon Almshouses Grant Fund
- Superhighways (KVA)
- The Ethical Property Foundation
Why Attend
Whether you're new to fundraising or looking to refine your approach, this event will help you build confidence, strengthen your income streams, sharpen your bids, and make valuable connections to take your project ideas forward.
Agenda
09:30 – 10:10: Registrations & Refreshments (Room 1)
10:10 – 10:30: Opening remarks - Welcome from CVS’s CEOs and Special guest: Helen, Director of Policy & Partnerships, London Funders (Plenary)
10:30 – 11:00: The National Lottery Community Fund (Plenary)
11:00 – 11:30: Shanly Foundation (Plenary)
11:30 – 11:40: Comfort break
11:40 – 12:25: Panel Discussion: Applications are over-subscribed: how competitive is it and how to stand out? Panellists: NLCF, London Funders and London Catalyst (Plenary).
11:40 – 12:25: Panel Discussion: Exploring Corporate Partnerships. Panellists: TBC (Room1)
12:25 – 13:10: Kristina Glenn, London’s Giving (Plenary)
12:25 – 13:10: Groundwork (Room 1)
12:25 – 13:10: The National Lottery Heritage Fund (Room 2)
13:10 – 15:00: Marketplace (see below) + Lunch (Plenary)
13:59 –15:30: Workshops (see below)
15:30 – 16:00: Closing Remarks by CVS’s CEO + Special Guest TBC
Workshops
13:50 – 14:35 - An Introduction to Income Generation Strategy - Hilary Bell, Community Support & Development Expert (Room 1)
13:50 – 14:35 - Purposeful AI Fundraising - Ian McLintock, Founder of Charity Excellence (Room 2)
14:35 – 14:45: Comfort break
14:45 – 15:30: Budgeting for Funding Applications - Merton Connect (Room 1)
14:45 – 15:30: Evidencing Need in SWL: 8 Key Datasets to Look At - Superhighways (KVA) (Room 2)
Marketplace
- The National Lottery Community Fund
- The National Lottery Heritage Fund
- Shanly Foundation
- London Catalyst
- Groundwork
- Merton Giving
- Croydon Almshouses
- The Ethical Property Foundation
- Superhighways
For more information, please visit the Funding Focus 2026 Webpage.
Good to know
Highlights
- 6 hours
- In-person
Refund Policy
Location
Everyday Church Wimbledon
30 Queen's Road
London SW19 8LR
How would you like to get there?
