Join us over four lunchtimes, Wednesday 16th July, Thursday 17th July, Tuesday 22nd July and Wednesday 23rd July 2025, for our popular Bid Writing Course.

The Clare Foundation's bid writing expert, Isabel White, will share her tips for constructing successful funding applications.

The sessions will be delivered online 12:30pm - 2pm over four lunchtimes. To get the most from the course we strongly recommend attending all four modules.

Wenesday 16th July 2025: Module One - The Basics

The current climate for fundraising - What the fundraising landscape looks like; effects of the pandemic; why funders are in it for the long game
What motivates funders - How they manage and spend out their investments; what they look for when investing in you
The issues they're focussing on; tracking societal developments; defining moments in our lives and how that shapes giving policy; complementing government funding; thinking ahead, and why you should bear all of this in mind
Basic fundraising principles and why they matter; what success looks like; perspective and staying motivated when you fail
What does the future hold? Will there be more funds available? What will funders want to invest in?
Why you need to know this before you ask for money.

Thursday 17th July 2025: Module Two - Creating your case

Three questions to answer - Keeping it simple; 1. What do you want money for? 2. How much do you want? 3. Where will you get it?
Creating a robust and compelling case - What funders are looking for; what to put in, what to leave out
Data - how much and how relevant?
Focusing on outcomes, impact and making a difference
Tips on length, style, tone, content etc.; the importance of rigorous editing
Answering the question!

Tuesday 22nd July 2025: Module three - Budgets and targets

Building your budget - The long game - how much do you really want?
How to present this to a funder
A table of gifts - the shortest route to your target
Importance of match funding
A safe pair of hands with their money?

Wednesday 23rd July 2025: Module four - Where to get the money

How different fundraising opportunities fit together - donations, sponsorship, grants, social media fundraising etc.
Decoding the funders' criteria - What funders are looking for; building relationships with funders; making the ask (submitting your bid); feeding back, reporting, planning for the next ask.
Pitfalls - how not to be a nuisance, but build that relationship; success breeds success.
An example funder deconstructed
Some practical exercises

The Clare Foundation's Online Bid Writing Course (Jul25 cohort)