In today’s competitive funding environment, Voluntary, Charity and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations need the skills to write strong funding bids and confidently compete for contracts. This practical course combines both elements, showing you how to find opportunities, prepare effective applications, and win support for your organisation’s work.

Led by experienced trainers who have secured grants and contracts across the sector, this session takes the mystery out of funding applications. You’ll learn how to research and assess opportunities, create a focused plan, and write persuasively for different audiences, whether funders, commissioners, or partners.

The course explores both grant funding (from trusts, foundations, and lotteries) and public sector contracts, highlighting the key differences in process, compliance, and evaluation. You’ll also understand how to align your bids with the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, ensuring your organisation stands out by demonstrating measurable community impact.

Participants gain practical tools, real examples, and time-saving strategies that can be applied straight away, from preparing budgets to presenting confidently to decision-makers.

Ideal for those involved in funding, project development, or leadership roles, this session will help you write with purpose, win with confidence, and grow your organisation sustainably.

Key Learnings

• Identify and assess suitable grants and contract opportunities
• Prepare effective funding or tender plans
• Write persuasive, evidence-based applications
• Present budgets clearly and accurately
• Demonstrate outcomes and social value
• Communicate confidently with funders and commissioners
• Apply strategies to improve long-term funding success

As funding landscapes evolve, VCSE organisations must adapt to new opportunities, balancing grant income with commissioned services and contracts. This course equips participants with the confidence, structure, and insight needed to succeed in both areas.

The session begins with an overview of the funding ecosystem, helping learners distinguish between grants (non-repayable funding for specific projects) and contracts (formal service delivery agreements). You’ll learn how to locate opportunities using open-access portals such as Contracts Finder, Find a Tender, and major grant directories, while identifying which are realistic and aligned with your organisation’s mission.

Participants are guided through developing a strong preparation plan, from evidencing need and defining measurable outcomes, to writing concise, persuasive applications. The course highlights what funders and commissioners look for, and how to structure your submission for clarity and impact.

Practical exercises help you apply techniques used by successful organisations, including how to write compelling project summaries, build realistic budgets, and link your work to funder priorities or commissioning objectives. Guidance references best practice from major UK funders, as well as procurement principles under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012.

By the end of the course, you’ll understand how to present your organisation as a trusted, capable partner, one that can deliver both social and financial value.

Whether you’re new to bid writing or seeking to improve success rates, this training gives you the tools, confidence, and language to secure grants, tenders, and partnerships that help your organisation grow.

Open course per person             £97
In-house for up to 6 people        £343
In-house for up to 12 people     £365