Fundraising for social housing organisations

Direct Funding Associates was established in 2003 to help housing organisations access funding through trusts, foundations, companies and government agencies. Our fundraising specialists have 30 years’ experience in working within social housing organisations on raising funding from a wide variety of sources.

We look upon each funding case as a project with a clear start and finish. For example if you have a community space you wish to improve we will research the project, the potential opportunities for funding and what is the most effective strategic approach. We can then make applications using our experience to make the most effective approach. Our service can be tailored to fit your needs.

Our approach identifies a five stage model to fundraising within the housing sector.

1. Consultation

It important to understand the scope of fundraising and what it can and cannot achieve within the housing sector. The consultation stage allows you to test out whether you have projects that are suitable and gives you an opportunity to see if our fundraising approach could work for your organisations projects.

2. Research

Once we have agreed that fundraising is the right approach for your projects we will then start to develop our strategic approach. Looking for the right tactics to match your project to the potential source of funding.

3. Report

A report is then presented with recommendations for further action. This will include strategy recommendations as well as details of fundraising actions including the identified targets for applications. Further detailed recommendations, will if required, indicate the necessary fundraising consultant time allocation needed to research, apply and manage the fundraising process for each project identified.

4. Action

The fundraising consultant will carry out the recommendations from the report stage. This will include preparation and completion of applications as well as the important follow up actions associated with all successful fundraising bids.

5. Analysis

At the agreed end of the process a full report will be prepared evaluating success and making further recommendations for ongoing fundraising activity.

General fundraising

We offer a totally bespoke fundraising consultancy for any not for profit organisation, based on a daily rate or retainer.

Examples of the type of work we can undertake are:-

• Assist with major trusts bids
• Assist with community fund bids
• Compile bespoke reports on fund raising prospects
• Advise on fund raising strategy
• Train and recruit staff