VAI Peer-to-Peer Funding support Group – Meeting 7

Thank you to everyone who joined our VAI Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Support Group Meeting 6 and contributed so openly to the discussion.

This session focused on diversifying funding streams and developing effective partnership funding approaches. It was a valuable and practical conversation, with attendees sharing honest insights and real experiences from their fundraising work. The session also provided opportunities for networking, with several conversations about potential partnerships beginning during the meeting.

We were pleased to welcome Luke Brown  from   The BIG Alliance, who shared their experiences of developing successful corporate partnerships and the lessons they have learned along the way.

We have received very positive feedback from organisations that have attended previous sessions. Several participants have told us that the discussions helped them better understand how to approach funding applications, strengthen their responses, and improve the quality of their bids. Some organisations have reported that they subsequently secured funding after applying what they had learned through the group discussions.

Participants particularly valued conversations around:

• Demonstrating community need effectively
• Meaningful community involvement in programme design and delivery
• Presenting organisational income and financial sustainability
• Learning from both successful and unsuccessful funding applications

These outcomes highlight the value of peer learning and the practical experience shared within the group.

We are also delighted to announce that at our next meeting we will be joined by Catherine Sorrell Cloudesley Grant Manger , who will share insights from both a funder's perspective and her extensive experience of supporting organisations across the voluntary and community sector. 

Cloudesley is an independent charitable trust that makes grants to people, organisations and churches within the London Borough of Islington.

Session Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
(Registration and refreshments from 9:45am)

This is not a training session – it is a space for honest discussion, mutual support and peer learning.

Together we will focus on:

• Sharing real funding applications – both successful and unsuccessful
• Reflecting on what worked and what didn't
• Discussing common fundraising challenges openly
• Exploring ways to diversify income and funding beyond grants
• Learning from the experiences of fellow organisations

Bring Along (If You're Comfortable)

• A past or current funding application
• A question, idea or experience to share
• Yourself – whether you're new to fundraising or highly experienced, your perspective matters

Join other local organisations to exchange experiences, practical tips and ideas for fundraising success. Learn from your peers, build connections and strengthen your approach to securing funding.

Places are limited, so please register today.