Facing the Future Together: Introducing DVA’s Fundraising Masterclass
With the recent cuts to discretionary funding announced by Derbyshire County Council, charities, community groups, and voluntary organizations across Derbyshire face an unprecedented challenge. At Derbyshire Voluntary Action, we’ve heard the concerns of our members loud and clear. The question is: how do we keep delivering vital services with reduced financial support?
In direct response to the needs of our members, we are thrilled to launch our Fundraising Masterclass Training & Tea series, kicking off in January 2025. This series is designed to equip VCSE groups with the tools and confidence to unlock new funding opportunities, align their missions with funder priorities, and craft standout applications that make an impact. Join us online for a bitesize training session that will set you up for the year!
What’s in Store?
- Unlocking Opportunities – Finding grant funding in challenging times 7 January 2025
Discover how to track and find opportunities when funders close their doors. Learn how to navigate challenging times and uncover possibilities you may not have considered before. - Mission Possible – Aligning with funder guidelines 14 January 2025
Tired of squeezing your services into narrow funder criteria? This session will teach you how to view your work through different lenses to match funding opportunities effectively. - Vision to Victory – Being application ready 21 January 2025
Avoid last-minute panic! Learn how to create a plan for upcoming applications and be prepared to tackle deadlines with confidence and efficiency. - The Perfect Pitch – Crafting a standout application 28 January 2025
From intimidating word counts to vague questions, crafting a funding application can be daunting. This session will help you overcome those challenges and present your work with clarity and confidence.
Why This Matters
The recent funding cuts are a stark reminder of how critical it is to secure the resources needed to sustain vital services. This training series isn’t just a response to the challenges we face—it’s a proactive step toward a stronger, more resilient voluntary sector in Derbyshire.
Meet Your Trainer: Anna, Fundraising Expert
Anna has always been interested in how we can make a real difference to the world. When she began working for Citizens Advice in 2006 she started to learn more about what was needed in communities, and came up with the same issue again and again. “So how do we make these things happen?” Her work is the answer to that question.
With nearly two decades of experience and a proven track record of working with over 30 charities and not for profit organisations, Anna is a powerhouse in the fundraising world. As a seasoned fundraising consultant and bid writer, Anna’s passion lies in empowering small and medium-sized charities to thrive without their own dedicated fundraisers, especially in the face of adversity. She specialises in work tackling deprivation and poverty and currently manages all aspects of grant fundraising for several charities. Anna knows what it takes to secure the funding needed to drive change, and it’s that experience she brings to our members.
Her experience isn’t just about writing bids—it’s about helping organizations see their services from fresh perspectives and making them “application ready.” This series is your chance to learn directly from an expert who’s been in the trenches and knows how to navigate the funding landscape in challenging times.
Save Your Spot
Booking for the Fundraising Masterclass Training & Tea is open now, so be sure to secure your place today. Together, we’ll turn challenges into opportunities and ensure that Derbyshire’s VCSE sector remains to provide hope and support for our communities.
Date: Starts January 2025
Location: Online
Cost: Free for DVA Members
Let’s build the future of Derbyshire’s voluntary sector, one successful application at a time.