How to Raise Funds for Your Organisation Outside of Grant Cycles

Many new charities and not-for-profits focus on securing grants, but funding shouldn’t stop when you’re waiting or in between applications. There are plenty of proactive steps you can take to bring in money and strengthen your organisation. Here’s how you can continue raising funds and setting your organisation up for success while waiting for the next grant opportunity.

Waiting for grants to come through can be frustrating, but your organisation doesn’t have to be on pause. By taking action now, you can keep momentum, attract new supporters, and ensure your organisation remains sustainable. The stronger your profile and impact data, the more attractive you’ll be to future funders. Plus, engaging with your community and building relationships can lead to unexpected funding opportunities.

1 - Raise Your Profile

To attract funding, people need to know who you are and what you do. Raising your profile helps build connections with potential donors, supporters, and future funders.

Ways to Increase Visibility:

• Do you have a public profile, a website, a social media page? – Make sure people can find and learn about your charity easily online. If you need help setting up a simple website, feel free to reach out.
• Introduce yourself to key figures – Reach out to your local MPs, councillors, businesses, and influential organisations that align with your cause. These relationships can lead to collaborations and funding opportunities.
• Engage with the community – Attend local events, host networking meetups, and get involved in relevant discussions to establish credibility.
• Hold drop-in sessions – Set up a presence at council offices, community centres, or local businesses to interact with people directly and spread awareness about your work.

💡 TIP: Print flyers about your organisation and the services you offer. Leave them at councils and businesses if they allow drop-off services.

2 - Record Your Impact

A strong grant application is backed by data. Keeping track of your achievements and community impact makes your organisation more attractive to funders.

• Monitor the number of people you help – Keep records of how many individuals benefit from your services.
  
• Collect demographic data – Show funders that your services are inclusive and reaching the right audiences.
  
• Gather testimonials – Personal stories from those you’ve helped make your impact tangible and relatable. If your profile doesn't want to submit written testimonials, that's fine. Take videos, even in their language, to capture real stories authentically.
• Log volunteer hours – Demonstrating community involvement highlights your charity’s value beyond funding.

3 - Explain your work clearly

Key Questions to Answer:

• What problem are you solving? – Clearly define the issue your charity addresses and provide evidence to back it up.
  
• What happens if your charity didn’t exist? – Identify the gap your organisation fills and why your work is essential.
  
• What are the costs involved? – Understand and document the financial needs of your programs so you can confidently request funding.
  
• What measurable impact do you create? – Funders want to see results. Be ready to show them the difference your work makes.

💡 TIP: Every volunteer is an ambassador. Can you talk about what you're doing in a short and sharp manner if someone asks? Prepare a 90-second pitch to explain your work with clarity and confidence.

By taking these steps, you’ll not only improve your chances of future grant success but also open up other funding opportunities. Raising money for your organisation isn’t just about waiting—it’s about making your organisation stronger, more visible, and more appealing to supporters. Keep taking action, and the funding will follow!