Case Study - Grant Funding Writing Workshop
Charity Tuition and Mentoring Services
Client Overview
Our client is a community interest company dedicated to creating meaningful social impact.
In pursuit of sustainable growth and increased funding success, we were engaged to deliver a bespoke, comprehensive two-day bid writing training workshop. The primary objective was to enhance internal capabilities, boost confidence and equip the team with practical tools to secure competitive grants.
The Challenge
Our Client faced several barriers to successful bid writing:
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Limited in-house experience
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Reliance on untrained volunteers for drafting applications
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Low confidence in pursuing larger or more complex funding opportunities
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Absence of structured tools and processes to guide and streamline their submissions
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Limited funds for training
Interactive Training Approach
The training was delivered as a two-day, in-person interactive workshop. Each day was structured to balance theory with hands-on application, ensuring the team could immediately apply what they learned.
Format
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Short presentations to introduce key concepts
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Group exercises and breakout discussions
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Live reviews of their previously unsuccessful bids and collaborative editing
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Printed and digital resources for ongoing reference
This format encouraged active participation and peer learning, while also allowing space for individual reflection and tailored support.
Content
The workshop covered the full lifecycle of bid writing, with a focus on practical tools and evaluator insight. Key modules included:
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Bid Preparation & Planning - understanding funder priorities, aligning with the Funders Goals and building a funding pipeline
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Using AI Tools - demonstrating how to use AI for research, summarisation and drafting support to save time and improve clarity
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Answer Planning & Structuring - techniques for breaking down questions and planning responses
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Evaluator Expectations - insights into how bids are assessed, common pitfalls and how to maximise scoring potential
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Live Bid Review - a collaborative critique of a previously unsuccessful bid, identifying areas for improvement and applying learning in real time
Customisation
The training was fully tailored to the Client's mission, team structure and funding ambitions. Customisation included:
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Pre-workshop consultation to identify specific challenges and goals
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Real examples from past bids
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Focus on funding streams relevant to their sector and growth plans
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Flexible delivery style to accommodate different learning preferences and experience levels
This bespoke approach ensured the training was not only relevant but also immediately actionable, leading to measurable improvements in confidence, efficiency and quality.
Results
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100% attendance across both training days
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6 team members trained, including senior leadership
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Increase in post-training confidence (internal feedback)
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3 new grant applications submitted within 6 weeks
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£32,000 in potential funding now in the pipeline
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Time savings through structured answer plans and AI tools
Client Impact
The training made a lasting difference to how the team works. They now approach funding opportunities with more clarity and confidence. They’ve also introduced clearer processes and better organisation, which has improved how they report internally and strengthened their ability to succeed with future bids.
"The training delivered by Karen was a turning point for our team. It was practical, engaging and tailored to our needs.
We left feeling empowered and equipped with the tools and confidence to approach grant funding strategically. Within weeks, we had submitted three new applications and completely transformed how we plan and write bids."
Founder