Frequently Asked Questions

Our monthly retainer is a comprehensive charity income generation solution for UK non-profits. It includes:Professional Bid Writing: One medium-sized grant application written and submitted every month, whether you need unrestricted core funding, project funding for a new community initiative, or capital funding for building renovations. Strategic Horizon Scanning: Priority alerts for new funding opportunities tailored to your mission, parsing both national databases and hyper-local Yorkshire and the Humber regional funds. Fundraising Roadmap: A monthly video call to align your non-profit funding strategy. Expert Advice: Unlimited email support for quick eligibility checks or advice. Request a Custom Package Quote to see how this exact pipeline can work for your Yorkshire organisation.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

es, we cover both major national pots and regional trusts. We specialise in major national funders like the National Lottery Community Fund (Awards for All & Reaching Communities), Arts Council England, and Sport England. Crucially, because we are Yorkshire-based, we also navigate the local funding landscape, supporting bids for Leeds City Council, Bradford Council, and regional trusts like the Brelms Trust and South Yorkshire Community Foundation.Want to know if your community project qualifies for local funding? Book your discovery call now. It is a free 15min, no commitment conversation. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

We do not work on a commission basis. As proud members of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIOF), we adhere to ethical guidelines that strongly discourage "no-win, no-fee" models, and most grant funders strictly prohibit paying consultants from awarded funds.Instead, we offer transparent, fixed-fee pricing starting at just £95 for a review or £350/day for outsourced writing. You get expert help without hidden fees or inflated "London agency" rates. Need a cost-effective solution for your charity? Book your discovery call now. It is a free 15min, no commitment conversation. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Two simple reasons: Local insight and your budget. National agencies often charge £600+ per day and use generic templates.As local specialists, we offer affordable, fixed-fee support and write compelling narratives tailored to your specific community—because we know a project in Bradford requires a different approach than one in Hebden Bridge.Plus, we offer face-to-face meetings across Leeds, Sheffield, Wakefield, and Huddersfield. Book your discovery call now. It is a free 15min, no commitment conversation. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

The UK funding landscape is incredibly competitive, and no honest consultant can guarantee a 100% win rate.Funders' priorities change, and pots run dry.However, we drastically maximize your chances. Led by a former grant panellist, we know exactly what decision-makers look for.We guarantee a highly competitive, compliant, and compelling bid. If a bid is rejected, we don't run away; we help you decipher the feedback and refine it for resubmission.Ready to give your application the best possible chance of success? Book your discovery call now. It is a free 15min, no commitment conversation. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Timelines depend on the complexity of the fund. If you already have a draft and just need our Grant Review service, we offer a 48-hour turnaround.For full Outsourced Grant Writing on multi-year bids (like Reaching Communities), the process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks to allow for thorough discovery, collaborative drafting, and budget alignment.Got a strict funding deadline approaching? Book your discovery call now. It is a free 15min, no commitment conversation. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

We don't expect you to have everything perfect on day one! Generally, we will need your latest accounts, safeguarding policies, a clear project budget, and any evidence of local need (such as case studies or community surveys). During our initial Discovery Meeting, we will guide you through exactly what is missing and help you pull the raw materials together.Not sure if you have the right documents ready? Book your discovery call now. It is a free 15min, no commitment conversation. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

You do not need to be a registered charity to win grant funding! We support a massive variety of non-profits across Yorkshire, including Community Interest Companies (CICs), Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), sports clubs, and unconstituted community groups. As long as your project benefits the local public, there is likely a funding pot out there for you. Find out which funding pots your specific community group is eligible for. Book your discovery call now. It is a free 15min, no commitment conversation.

his depends entirely on your internal time and budget.Have a draft ready? Choose a Grant Review for a professional "Red Pen" edit.Time-poor? Choose Outsourced Grant Writing and we’ll manage the whole process.Zero budget for a writer? Choose our Grant Training workshop to upskill your volunteers (we also highly recommend checking out your local Yorkshire CVS for free foundational support!).Still unsure which level of support fits your current budget? Book your discovery call now. It is a free 15min, no commitment conversation. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

We absolutely help with core funding. While many funders prefer to back specific new projects, there are funds dedicated to organizational resilience, unrestricted funding, and core running costs (like rent, utilities, and core salaries). We can help you identify these specific funders or expertly weave your core cost recovery into larger project budgets using full-cost recovery principles.Struggling to fund your day-to-day running costs? Book your discovery call now. It is a free 15min, no commitment conversation.  Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

To apply for most grants, you need a few basics in place: a governing document (like a constitution or articles of association), a minimum of two or three unrelated board members, and a dedicated organizational bank account in the name of your group. If you have those, you are ready to start! If not, our Grant Training workshop is the perfect place to learn exactly how to build a strong, fundable foundation.Not sure if you meet the basic criteria for funders? Book your discovery call now. It is a free 15min, no commitment conversation.  Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Yes! Securing the grant is only the beginning. If you don't have the internal capacity to manage the end-of-grant reporting and impact evaluation, we can support you. This is often included as part of our Writing Retainer service for growing charities, ensuring you maintain a brilliant relationship with the funder for future applications."Dreading the paperwork of an upcoming grant report? Book your discovery call now. It is a free 15min, no commitment conversation.  Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Yes, we provide both services. Our £950/month Grant Writing Retainer offers the best value for charities looking to build a long-term funding pipeline. However, if you have a single, urgent deadline, our One-Off Grant Writing service can step in to help. Next step: Need help deciding which is right for you? Book a free 15-minute discovery call to discuss your funding goals. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

No. We do not lock charities into long annual contracts. Our retainer operates on a rolling three-month agreement. This gives us enough time to build a strong funding pipeline for you, whilst giving your organisation the flexibility to adjust as your financial needs change. Next step: Ready to trial our outsourced fundraising? Request a custom package quote today.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

No. Every funding narrative we submit is 100% human-written. We only use AI tools for behind-the-scenes data analysis and horizon scanning.Grant funders look for authentic, lived-experience storytelling, and we strictly follow funder policies regarding AI-generated content.With 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years sitting on grant assessment panels, we know how to craft narratives that connect with human decision-makers. Next step: Want to see how we tell your charity’s story? Let’s chat about your project.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Yes, it is significantly more cost-effective. Hiring a junior in-house fundraiser in Yorkshire typically costs over £26,000 a year, before adding pensions, National Insurance, and training time.Our fixed-fee retainer is £11,400 a year (£950 a month). You get direct access to senior-level bid writing expertise with zero hidden overheads or management time required.Next step: Download our One-Page Retainer Breakdown to share with your board of trustees. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

To get the best return on your investment, your organisation needs three things in place: a clear constitution, up-to-date accounts, and a defined project plan.If you are missing any of these documents, we recommend starting with our Grant Training services to build a strong governance foundation first. Next step: Unsure if your paperwork is ready? Book a no-obligation call and we will review your grant readiness together. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels. Last updated: July 2026.

Yes. While we successfully secure national funding, our specialty is hyper-local Yorkshire funding. We have deep experience securing grants from regional providers like the Leeds Community Foundation, South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, and the West Yorkshire Mayor’s funds. Next step: Looking for local funding in Leeds, Bradford, or Wakefield? Book a free 15-minute chat with our local experts.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Yes, your retainer hours always roll over into high-value work. If we do not submit a standard bid in a specific month, we dedicate that time to deep-dive funding research, preparing complex multi-year applications, or mapping out your upcoming strategy. You will always receive your full quota of senior-level consultancy every 30 days. Next step: Contact us today to see what a typical monthly roadmap looks like for your charity.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

No. We charge a flat, transparent fee of £950 per month. Working on commission strictly breaks the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIOF) Code of Conduct. Furthermore, grant funders explicitly ban charities from paying consultant fees out of awarded grant money. We protect your charity's reputation by operating 100% ethically. Next step: Let’s build a compliant, sustainable funding pipeline. Book your discovery call here. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Very little. Our goal is to give your frontline staff their time back. Your team will only need to commit to a one-hour monthly strategy call and a brief review of the final drafts before we submit them. We handle the heavy lifting, from finding the funds to writing the bids. Next step: Ready to free up your CEO's schedule? Schedule a quick setup call to get started.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Our monthly retainer is a comprehensive charity income generation solution for UK non-profits. It includes:Our retainer acts as your outsourced fundraising department. Every month, you receive:Professional Bid Writing: One medium-sized grant application written and submitted.Strategic Horizon Scanning: Priority alerts for new national and regional Yorkshire funds.Fundraising Roadmap: A monthly strategy video call to align on your goals.Expert Advice: Unlimited email support for quick eligibility checks. Next step: Book a 30-minute review to start building your grant pipeline.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Even the best charities do not win every bid. The funding landscape is highly competitive, and sometimes pots of money simply run dry.If a bid is rejected, we do not just move on. Because we have 8 years of experience sitting on funding decision-making panels, we know exactly how to decode the panel's feedback.We will analyse the funder's response, refine the narrative, and adapt the bid for a different funder using your regular retainer hours.Next step: Want an expert to review a bid you recently lost? Book a Grant Review session today.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

We do the finding for you. Our retainer is a complete service. We conduct continuous 'horizon scanning' to match your charity with the right funding pots. We monitor national databases, regional Yorkshire trusts, and hyper-local community funds. During our monthly strategy call, we will present a shortlist of the highest-probability funds for your approval before we start writing. Next step: Stop wasting hours scrolling through funding directories. Let us build your funding roadmap. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels. Last updated: July 2026.

We support a wide range of third-sector organisations, but we have deep, specialist expertise in community infrastructure and local health initiatives. We have a strong track record of securing funds for public realm improvements, green space regeneration, park upgrades, and community hubs. Because we understand how local authorities and regional boards operate, we know how to align your frontline delivery with their strategic priorities. Next step: Have a specific community project in mind? Book a free 15-minute discovery call to discuss it.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

We cap our retainer at five active non-profits at any one time because we prioritise quality over volume.We do not farm your bids out to junior staff or rely on generic templates.By strictly limiting our client base, we ensure that your charity gets dedicated, senior-level attention from an expert with 15 years of bid writing experience. We integrate deeply with your team, and that requires time and focus. Next step: We currently have limited capacity for new retainer clients. Contact us today to check availability and secure your spot.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

No. The vast majority of grant funders strictly prohibit using their funds to pay for external bid writers or fundraising consultants. Your retainer fee must be paid from your organisation's unrestricted core funds. Next step: Not sure how to cover core costs? Let's discuss strategies for unrestricted income generation.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

We guarantee a rapid 48-hour turnaround from the moment you send us your draft and the funder's guidance notes. We understand that funding deadlines are high-pressure. Our locally-based Yorkshire team works quickly to return a fully annotated document with tracked changes and a clear "Action List" so you can hit submit on time. Next step: Facing an urgent funding deadline? Book a discovery call right now to secure your 48-hour review slot. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Our Grant Review service is a comprehensive, panel-level audit of your application—not just a spelling check. Form £95, you receive:"Red Pen" Editing: We correct grammatical errors and cut the "waffle" to ensure you meet strict word counts.Compliance Check: We verify that your application meets all mandatory funder criteria.Budget Alignment: We review your financial breakdown to ensure you are accurately asking for full cost recovery.Panel-Level Feedback: We highlight hidden assumption gaps and local jargon that often lead to rejection.Next step: Ready to hand over the stress of your next bid? Book a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call to get started. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

It is much more than proofreading. While AI tools like ChatGPT can spot basic typos, they cannot perform a strategic audit of your funding strategy or ensure your budget makes financial sense.We identify the specific "red flags" that lead to rejection—such as failing to align with a local funder's criteria or misunderstanding the nuance of urban deprivation in your area—which AI simply cannot comprehend. Next step: Do not risk a rejection based on AI assumptions. Let a human funding expert review your bid today. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Yes. A common reason for grant rejection is a budget that fails to include full cost recovery or essential overheads. We heavily scrutinise your financial figures to ensure your project costs align perfectly with your narrative, ensuring your charity isn't left out of pocket when delivering the work. Next step: Unsure if your budget will pass the panel's scrutiny? Let us conduct a financial health check on your draft.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Yes. We regularly review high-value applications for major national funders (like the National Lottery) and substantial capital grants from regional providers. Fees start from £95 but for larger, highly complex bids, we provide a bespoke review quote to ensure every detail of the extensive criteria is met. Next step: Applying for a major regional pot of money? Ask us for a custom quote.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

While our strategic review drastically improves your chances, no ethical consultant can guarantee a 100% win rate. If your bid is unsuccessful, our review service includes post-decision support. We will help you decipher the funder's feedback notes and guide you on how to pivot the project toward a more suitable funder. Next step: Turn a rejection into a learning opportunity. Book a call to discuss our resilient funding strategies. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Yes, completely. Your bid, intellectual property, and community data are 100% strictly confidential. In accordance with the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIOF) Code of Conduct, we never share your data or project ideas with other organisations. Next step: Protect your project's integrity while getting expert feedback. Schedule your free, confidential chat here.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

We accept all standard word processing formats, preferably Microsoft Word (.docx) or Google Docs, as this allows us to easily use the "Track Changes" and commenting features. If your application is on a live portal (like a local council website), simply copy and paste the text into a Word document alongside the funder's questions. Next step: Ready to upload your draft? Contact us today to start your 48-hour review process.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

We guarantee a 48-hour turnaround as standard. If you have an extreme emergency (e.g., a deadline in less than 24 hours), please call us directly rather than booking online.Depending on capacity, we may be able to accommodate a same-day "rush audit" for an additional fee to ensure you do not miss your submission window. Next step: Facing an immediate deadline? Call us now on 0113 524 9535.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Our review service provides tracked changes for minor grammatical errors and detailed, actionable comments on structural or strategic issues (e.g., "This paragraph does not answer the prompt; rewrite to focus on local health outcomes"). We do not rewrite the entire narrative for you. If you realise your draft needs a complete rewrite, we can seamlessly upgrade you to our One-Off Grant Writing service. Next step: Not sure if you need a review or a full rewrite? Book a quick chat to decide.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Yes. As part of our compliance check, we will review the mandatory attachments you plan to submit (such as safeguarding policies or project budgets) to ensure they meet the funder's specific formatting and eligibility rules. We do not write these policies for you, but we will flag if your current documents will cause the bid to fail. Next step: Make sure a technicality does not cost you the grant. Book a review todayAnswers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Our grant training workshops are designed for volunteers, "accidental fundraisers," start-up charities, and community group leaders across Yorkshire and the Humber. If you are tasked with securing project funding or core funding but feel overwhelmed by funder jargon, this course provides the perfect foundation in third-sector bid writing Book your discovery call now. It is a free 15min, no commitment conversation.

Our 3-hour intensive session (available face-to-face in Leeds or via Zoom) is a complete capacity-building toolkit. It includes: Decoding Funder Jargon: Translating "Outputs" and "Outcomes" into plain English. The Postcode Advantage: Learning to use local IMD (Indices of Multiple Deprivation) data to prove need in urban areas like Bradford or Wakefield. Full Cost Recovery Budgeting: Ensuring your grant asks cover essential overheads and staff time. The "Yorkshire Cheat Sheet": An exclusive guide detailing 20 active, high-probability local funders. Want to master the art of charity income generation? Secure your spot on our next training session today.

We believe essential non-profit funding strategy should be accessible to everyone in the Yorkshire charity sector. Our Skill-Up workshop is affordably priced at just £85 per person. This is a fraction of the cost of generic, multi-day national courses, providing you with highly actionable, locally relevant expertise directly from a former grant panel assessor. Invest in your charity's future without breaking the bank. Contact us to book your £85 training ticket.

Yes. While our open workshops are highly popular, we also deliver private, bespoke non-profit funding strategy training directly to your board of trustees, volunteers, or internal staff. Whether your charity operates from a community hall in Huddersfield or an office in Leeds, we can tailor the curriculum specifically to the exact capital grants or funding pots you are trying to secure. Want to upskill your entire organisation at once? Request a Custom Training Quote for your team.

Not at all. This workshop is specifically built for absolute beginners who have little to no experience with third-sector bid writing. We completely avoid confusing sector jargon and focus on practical, step-by-step methods to help you secure your very first community grant from local sources like the Leeds Community Foundation or the West Yorkshire Mayor's community funds. Don't let a lack of experience stop your funding. Book a free chat to see if this beginner-friendly course is right for you.

No, you do not need to be a registered charity. We welcome Community Interest Companies (CICs), Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), social enterprises, and unregistered community groups. The charity income generation principles we teach apply to any legal non-profit structure looking to secure funding in Yorkshire. Unsure if your organisation's structure qualifies for grants? Book a no-obligation call and we'll point you in the right direction.

Yes. Alongside the expert in-person teaching, you will walk away with practical, fill-in-the-blank templates and our highly requested "Yorkshire Cheat Sheet." These tools give you a structural advantage when applying to regional trusts like the Two Ridings Community Foundation (covering North Yorkshire) or the Sir George Martin Trust, ensuring you never have to stare at a blank page when writing your next bid. Get the exact frameworks used by successful Yorkshire fundraisers. Secure your workshop place today.

Just bring a notepad, a pen, and an eagerness to learn! You do not need a laptop, as this is an interactive, face-to-face session. We provide a comprehensive physical workbook containing everything you need to start implementing your new non-profit funding strategy the minute you leave the room. Ready for an engaging, hands-on learning experience? Reserve your seat at our next Leeds workshop.

We don't just leave you stranded after the course. All workshop attendees receive an exclusive 25% discount on our Grant Review service. When you write your very first bid using your new skills, our Yorkshire-based experts will audit it and provide panel-level feedback before you hit submit. Take the first step toward independent fundraising. Book your discovery call to learn about our end-to-end support.

Yes. We offer an honest triage service. If you have a draft, our Grant Review is cost-effective. If you lack time or staff, our Grant Writing service is better. Simply email us your project outline, and we will recommend the best option for your budget—we promise never to upsell you a service you don't need.

We are physically based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, but we proudly serve the entire region. Unlike remote national agencies, we offer face-to-face grant consultations at your offices in Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, and across South and North Yorkshire. We believe the best bid writing happens when we see your work in person.

The best way to start is to book a Free 15-Minute Discovery Chat via our website. This allows us to quickly assess your project's eligibility. Alternatively, use the 'BOOK A CONSULTATION' button for specific training workshops or consultancy packages.

We specifically reject 'London-style' pricing. Because we are a local Yorkshire consultancy without high capital overheads, we can offer fixed-fee grant writing that is accessible to smaller charities and community groups. We publish our prices transparently so you know exactly what to expect.

No ethical consultant can guarantee a win, as decision-making panels vary. However, with Paul's 8 years of experience sitting on grant panels, we know exactly why bids fail. We use this 'insider' insight to eliminate common errors, ensuring your application has the highest possible chance of success.

Yes. Our one-off grant writing service is designed to manage the entire application lifecycle, from a blank page to final submission. Whether your charity needs unrestricted core funding to keep the lights on or specific project funding for a new initiative, we handle the heavy lifting. We take your vision and translate it into a compliant, persuasive narrative that funders actually want to read.Next step: Ready to hand over the stress of your next bid? Book a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call to get started. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Our process is designed to extract your expertise without wasting your time. It follows three distinct phases:Discovery Session: We interview your team to uncover the unique strengths of your story.Strategic Research: We gather hard-hitting evidence, including local IMD (Indices of Multiple Deprivation) statistics, to prove why your project is vital.Narrative & Budget Alignment: We draft a precise narrative and build a sustainable budget that ensures full cost recovery for your core overheads and management time. Next step: Want to see how this process secures funding? Schedule a chat with our Leeds-based team.

Our transparent pricing is significantly more affordable than national agencies.Small bids (under £10k): Flat fee of £450.Medium bids (e.g., Heritage Lottery): £350 per day.Large, complex tenders: £450 per day. You get senior-level, locally-based expertise without the inflated "London agency" price tag. Next step: Need a precise quote for your upcoming project? Request a Custom Package Quote today.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

No. In strict adherence to the ethical guidelines set by the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIOF), we never work on a contingency, commission, or "success fee" basis. Furthermore, most grant funders explicitly prohibit paying consultant fees out of awarded grant money.Our fixed-fee structure ensures you receive ethical, unbiased support.Next step: Let's build a highly compliant funding application. Book your free consultation here.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

While no ethical consultant can guarantee a 100% win rate—because funder priorities shift and local authority pots run dry—our rigorous approach drastically maximises your chances of success.With 8 years of experience sitting on grant assessment panels, we know exactly what triggers a "Yes."Next step: Give your bid the best possible chance of winning. Speak to our expert funding team today.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Yes. While charitable grants and public sector tenders are very different, we have deep experience navigating complex public procurement portals.Whether you are bidding for a capital grant from the West Yorkshire Mayor's community funds or a commissioned service contract from Leeds City Council, we can translate your frontline expertise into a winning tender document.Next step: Facing a daunting council tender portal? Let us handle the technical writing.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

While we secure major national pots (like the National Lottery and Arts Council), our true strength is hyper-local Yorkshire funding. We regularly write successful bids for the Leeds Community Foundation, South Yorkshire's Community Foundation, and the Two Ridings Community Foundation. We also have excellent insight into historic regional trusts.Next step: Want to target local wealth in your specific Yorkshire borough? Book a free 15-min chat.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Very little. Our outsourced bid writing service is specifically designed for time-poor charity managers. Aside from an initial 1-hour Discovery Session and a brief review of the final drafts before submission, we manage the entire project.This frees up your CEO and trustees to focus on frontline service delivery. Next step: Ready to reclaim your time? Schedule a Discovery Call to get started.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

If a bid is rejected, we do not just walk away. Our Grant Review post-decision support helps you decipher the panel's feedback.Because we have sat on funding panels, we can translate standard rejection letters into actionable advice, helping you refine the bid for resubmission to a different funder.Next step: Need help understanding why a recent bid failed? Book a review session today.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

Yes. If you have already done the heavy lifting but want an expert eye to review it against the funder's scoring matrix, we offer a dedicated Grant Review service. We will act as a "critical friend," checking for compliance, clarity, and full cost recovery before you hit submit.Next step: Do not risk a technicality. Book a professional bid review.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels. Last updated: July 2026.

For our one-off grant writing service, clients typically come to us with a specific fund in mind (e.g., "We want to apply to Children in Need").However, if you need us to actively find and match you with funding opportunities on an ongoing basis, our Grant Writing Retainer is the perfect solution.Next step: Need help finding the right fund? Explore our Retainer service.Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.

We strongly advise against it. While AI is useful for basic spelling checks, grant funders look for authentic, lived-experience storytelling.Furthermore, many major UK funders are now implementing strict policies regarding AI-generated content, and submitting heavily AI-written bids can lead to immediate disqualification. Next step: Ensure your bid is 100% compliant and human-written. Contact us today. Answers provided by Paul Wray — Lead Consultant, featuring 15 years of professional bid writing experience and 8 years serving on grant funding decision-making panels.Last updated: July 2026.