Researching Funders

You’ll have your eyes opened as to how and why Foundations are created. We will help you to decide what you need to know and how it will help you raise more money and then learn how to build your core research toolkit with minimal outlay.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Understanding how and why Foundations are created.

  • Understanding the evolution of a Foundation.

  • Ability to identify the decision makers and their processes (including how these change over time).

  • Understanding the 12 key research questions.

  • Ability to convert research into action.

  • Familiarity with at least three essential research sources.

  • Understanding of what can be achieved by researching funders.

Presenters: Bill Bruty and Neela Jane Stansfield

Process:

We’ll look at the motives for setting up Foundations and how these can influence the decision making for generations. We’ll see how Foundations evolve over time with different power balances, decision makers and processes for finding partners. Above all, you will learn how you can never make assumptions, or stop researching – as there is always change around the corner.  The live session will be run as an interactive play with the participants writing the script and playing the main characters. You won’t forget this experience; it will open your eyes.

We’ll share a 12-question research template that will equip you to build up a complete picture of your funders and prospects. You’ll be able to gather information on their financial circumstances, the patterns in their philanthropy; their grant selection processes and the characters of the decision makers.

You’ll come away with a comprehensive template that you can use for all of your funders.

We’ll go on a hunt for the different types of trust – ‘tiggers’ and ‘zombies’ – and explore an extensive range of research sources. We’ll conclude with recommendations for a core toolkit of research sources which will become part of your standard grantseeking practice.

This Superpod will consist of two sets of 90-minute online live workshops, on a single day.  They will start at 11am and finish at 3pm on each day, with an hour break in between.  It will be held three times per year in the Spring, Summer and Autumn. It costs £175 to join these sessions.

12th March 2025

1st July 2025

19th November 2025

Book your place here.