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Trust Fundraising - Getting Started

23 September 2026 9:00am - 3:30pm
Online
Training Courses
EVT-10073
Current

This introductory course provides a practical overview of fundraising from trusts and foundations in the UK. Participants will explore how trusts operate, what influences their funding decisions, and how to develop strong, targeted applications. The course will cover practical techniques to help learners build confidence with researching funders, developing a compelling case for support, and managing the application and follow-up process effectively.

Course Fees

Please note, the discounted individual member rate is a benefit of individual membership not organisational membership. If the attendee does not hold an individual membership, then please select the non-individual member rate.

Non-Individual Member Fee

£277.00

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Individual Member Fee

£211.00

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Key Information

Who should attend?

This course is designed for those with limited experience in trust fundraising, including staff members and volunteers who have been working in this area for less than 12 months. It is also suitable for anyone seeking to develop the knowledge and skills required to work effectively with trusts and foundations.

Benefits for you and your organisation

This course will help you build a strong knowledge of the UK trust fundraising landscape and develop practical skills that can be applied immediately within your organisation. You will learn how to identify suitable funders, strengthen the quality of funding applications, and improve your confidence in managing the grant-making process. As a result, your organisation will be better placed to develop targeted applications, build stronger relationships with funders, and increase its potential for securing grant income.

Topics covered in this course

An overview of trusts and foundations in the UK
Researching and identifying suitable funders
Writing effective Trust applications
Key principles of working effectively with trusts and foundations

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

Describe the role and priorities of trusts and foundations in the UK
Identify funders that align with their organisation’s work and funding needs
Develop a clear and persuasive trust application
Describe the key elements of your work in a way that will be attractive to funders and meet their criteria

About your trainer

Gill Jolly FCIOF(Dip)

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Gill Jolly FCIOF(Dip)

Biography:

Gill has over 25 years experience in the charity sector, working as a fundraiser, manager, director and trainer of fundraisers and support teams with a wide variety of sizes and types of organisation. She now runs her own consultancy, and works with not-for-profit organisations across the UK and Europe providing a wide range of bespoke fundraising & management consultancy services. Gill has worked with the CIOF since 2000 delivering fundraising’s professional qualifications, and leading courses on strategy, management and implementation.

The live virtual training experience

The Chartered Institute of Fundraising's live virtual training is delivered by trainers who are leading experts in their chosen discipline. Each virtual course has been especially designed to deliver a rich virtual learning experience. Your course will feature:

Zoom platform learning environment
Interactive engagement with the trainer and peers
Group discussions and exercises
Real-life case studies and examples
Ample Q&A opportunities throughout the sessions

Technology requirements

The course is being delivered via the online platform zoom. To enable you to interact with your tutor and your class you will need to have access to a microphone (or access to a landline phone) and ideally have a working video link via a camera. To test compatibility with your system, you can join a test meeting via this link.