Webinar | Securing funding - how can I be creative in finding funding for my services?

Fundraising is a topic that is raised regularly in our networking meetings and discussions, with volunteer leaders and their colleagues often faced with the challenge of developing and sustaining a volunteering service when resources are limited.

In this practical and informative webinar when you will hear from Alex Blake, fundraising and strategy consultant with 20 years of fundraising experience. Alex has worked with a diverse group of over 130 charities, offering consultancy and bid writing support to develop clear strategies and secure £30 million, and will be sharing with us his tips for securing funding for your service.

You will also hear from Mark Burrett, programme manager at Helpforce, who will share insights from two organisations who have been successful in securing funding to sustain programmes within their respective volunteer services.

A summary from this webinar can be found below:

Finding sustainable funding for volunteering services within the NHS can be challenging, yet it’s essential for making a transformative difference to people accessing services, to staff, and to volunteers. We know that volunteering initiatives deliver significant value, but securing the resources to maintain and grow programmes requires a compelling case for support.

What makes a great case for support?

Whether seeking internal investment or applying for external grant funding, a great case for support needs three essential elements:

1. Clarity and Simplicity

• Write clearly and succinctly using short sentences

• Avoid jargon, especially when applying to external funders

• Tailor language to the target audience - NHS funders may understand acronyms, while external funders need simpler explanations

2. Comprehensive detail

• Provide sufficient information to answer all questions fully

• Address specific points requested in funding guidelines

• Demonstrate consideration of all relevant aspects of the project in question

3. Compelling narrative

• Create emotional impact through storytelling

• Balance evidence with human stories

• Remember that funding decisions are made by humans - appeal to both head and heart

Key components of a case for support:

Evidencing the need

Articulate the challenges being faced. A strong funding case clearly outlines the problem a project aims to solve:

• Identify specific needs of patients, beneficiaries, or organisation/s

• Describe how the need was identified (surveys, focus groups, individual conversations)

• Explain why the identified problem requires attention

• Provide supportive evidence using both quantitative and qualitative data

• For external funders, explain how the project fits into the broader landscape of services

Map out your project approach

Having established your situation, pivot to identifying volunteering solutions that help meet the challenges. Your case should include:

• The overall aim of the project

• Expected outcomes and how they address the identified need

• Specific activities that will help achieve these outcomes

• How people are expected to access the service

• Duration and intensity of engagement

Demonstrating Impact

• Define clear, measurable outcomes

• Explain how these outcomes benefit patients, staff, and the wider organisation/s

• Use data from previous initiatives, where available

• Include personal stories and testimonials

Monitoring and Evaluation

Your funding case should outline:

• Who will be involved in the evaluation process

• How the desired outcomes will be evidenced

• How learnings will be used to improve the service

• How insights will be shared with the wider sector

Sustainability planning

Funders want to know that their investment will have a lasting impact. Address:

• How activities will continue beyond the funding period

• If not continuing, how the impact will be sustained

• For NHS internal funding: potential cost savings or service improvements

• Future funding sources to explore

Budget and funding details

Provide a clear breakdown of costs, incorporating:

• Staff costs

• Delivery costs

• Overheads

• Project duration

Alternative funding routes

For healthcare organisations with charitable status, consider these funding sources:

• National Lottery Community Fund - particularly the “Reaching Communities” programme, which supports community-focused initiatives

• Esmée Fairbairn Foundation - Focuses on supporting marginalised groups

• Garfield Weston Foundation - Supports a wide range of charitable activities

• Department for Work and Pensions - Increasingly interested in programmes that support people into employment

Making the case when costs seem high

If the programme in question has a relatively high cost per person (such as intensive clinical supervision requirements), be proactive in addressing this:

• Explain why the level of investment is necessary

• Highlight exceptional outcomes achieved

• Emphasise long-term savings to the healthcare system and wider society

• Consider how the programme might be delivered differently while maintaining quality

• Demonstrate the return on investment beyond direct employment outcomes

We hope you find this summary helpful. Please do watch the recording to ensure you have everything you need to prepare for your case.

Useful Links

• Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper
• News Story: Bath graduate backs ‘Volunteer to Career’ scheme aiding stretched NHS workforce
• Insight & Impact: Evidenced Outcomes