Charity Funding Is About More Than Applications. It's About Conversations.
For many charities and community groups, the conversation about funding starts when an application form arrives. Suddenly, months of hard work must be explained in a handful of boxes, while the organisation tries to work out exactly what a funder wants to see.
A good application matters, of course, but so does understanding the people and priorities behind the funding. Knowing what makes a project credible, how to explain its impact and when to seek advice can help organisations make better decisions about where to invest their time.
At The Great British Charity Conference on Tuesday 10 November, those wider conversations about funding, sustainability and partnerships will be part of the day's programme.
Understanding the People Behind the Funding
The conference's Future of Funding panel will explore how funders assess organisations, why applications succeed or fall short and how the funding landscape may change in the years ahead. There will also be a Key Fund workshop covering funding, social investment and sustainable growth.
Andy Kershaw from South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau (SYFAB) will look at another issue that can affect an organisation's opportunities: whether its legal structure and governance arrangements are appropriate for the work it wants to do.
These are different parts of the same challenge. A charity needs to know not only which opportunities exist, but which ones fit its purpose, capacity and longer-term plans.
Support Can Mean More Than a Grant
The day will also consider the part businesses can play. Sam Greaves, owner and Managing Director of Cleenol, will share what motivates a business to support a good cause, what helps charities stand out and why effective partnerships can involve far more than a one-off donation.
For organisations used to searching for their next grant, speaking with businesses, funders and other charities may reveal different ways to strengthen a project or develop a more sustainable relationship.
Make Time for the Conversation
The Charity Hub has organised the conference to put people who fund, lead and support good causes in the same room. Nobody can promise a grant or a new partner simply by attending, but hearing different perspectives and meeting the right people can help organisations ask better questions and plan their next steps with greater confidence.
The Great British Charity Conference takes place at Cast, Doncaster, on Tuesday 10 November 2026. Standard tickets cost £30 per person and include lunch and refreshments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will The Great British Charity Conference cover charity funding?
Yes. The programme includes a Future of Funding panel, a Key Fund workshop on funding and social investment, and discussions about how charities can build stronger partnerships.
Is the conference only for people who write grant applications?
No. It is intended for charities, CICs, social enterprises, trustees, funders, businesses and public-sector organisations involved in supporting good causes.
Where and when is the conference?
The Great British Charity Conference takes place at Cast, Doncaster, on Tuesday 10 November 2026. Standard tickets cost £30, including lunch and refreshments.
