Each year, over 5,000 third sector leaders make use of Action Planning’s programme of national conferences, training and consultancy. This includes ten series of practical workshops, each typically for 20 people, to help you build capacity in fundraising, strategy and governance. Many of these now run monthly, or more frequently, to meet the level of need.

Action Planning workshops on fundraising and strategic management

You can access information on each, including the latest workshop dates, through the links below. We can also deliver the workshops for you in-house, if you have several colleagues who might benefit (please email us if this might be of interest). The ten series of workshops are:

Demonstrating outcomes to funders This popular one-day workshop is designed to help charities to demonstrate to funders qualitative, or ‘soft’, outcomes. It is of particular value to organisations working in social care, housing, health and disability, children and young people, employment, faith-based projects and international development – which often change lives in ways which few funders fully appreciate. Places on: 22 July, 26 August, 2 September

Managing the Fundraising Function This one-day workshop is designed principally for chief executives, finance directors and recently appointed fundraising directors who do not have a specialist background in fundraising. It is led by David Saint, the Chairman of Action Planning, who has helped many of Britain’s leading charities to generate more income from a wider range of sources. Places on: 12 October, 28 October

Legacy masterclasses with Richard Radcliffe Legacies provide around £2 billion every year to charities and are one of the fastest growing sources of income. This popular one-day masterclass, presented by Richard Radcliffe, arguably the leading UK authority in this field, analyses the key trends in legacy giving and provides a wealth of practical advice on legacy marketing. It also features legal guidance from Stone King Sewell LLP. Places on: 27 October

Securing major donors Major donor fundraising has proved to be one of the fastest growing sources of charity income. This practical two-day programme helps you to build an effective major donor campaign, finding high net-worth supporters and recruiting them as donors to your cause. Presented by Virginia Fisher, it is limited to 20 places and enables participants to practise their skills and receive feedback. Places on: 8 - 9 September, 2 - 3 November

Planning a successful capital campaign This workshop, presented by Robin Thomas and Jason Blackburn of Action Planning’s Capital Fundraising Team, is intended for directors and trustees of organisations planning to launch a capital campaign, perhaps to fund a new project or building. There’s also guidance from John Overton, formerly of Acorns Children’s Hospice, on the CEO’s role in leading a capital campaign. Places on: 7 September, 30 November

Preparing successful bids for statutory grants and contracts This intensive two-day course is the leading UK training on statutory bid-writing. It is presented by Derek Smith and enables you to prepare high-scoring bids by developing an understanding of scoring systems. Participants also receive a comprehensive ‘bid preparation tool kit’. The course has been held over 100 times and has been widely adopted as a core training module. Places on: 21-22 September, 9-10 November

Delivering public services Competition for public sector contracts is expected to intensify as statutory funding is constrained. This one-day course, developed by Derek Smith, examines how to negotiate from strength, ensure that services are delivered profitably and retain contracts by developing long term partnerships with commissioners. We also examine how to build your reputation as a deliverer of public services. Places on: 5 October, 7 December

Building Board Performance This one day event is designed to enable the chairs and chief executives of ten organisations (ideally attending together) to build a highly effective board. It will examine how to find trustees with the right contacts, experience, skills and networks, focus the board on the key strategic issues facing your organisation and expedite your decision making process. We regret we have no places currently available, please email us to request an invitation to future workshops.

Pragmatic Planning This one-day, CEO/Director level workshop with David Saint, Chairman of Action Planning, is designed to help you develop an inspiring but practical strategic plan which will engage stakeholders and impress funders. This practical workshop explains how to plan in the real world, where resources are tight, options are limited and there are many demands on your time. We regret we have no places currently available, please email us to request an invitation to future workshops.

Running successful projects in third sector organisations Funders are increasingly demanding evidence of effective project management capabilities. This one-day course provides a comprehensive introduction to project management and practical tools to structure your work. It is presented by Stuart Kelly, who has successfully adapted private sector project management methodologies to the third sector. Places on: 24 August, 2 September