Experience
Hello there! I’m Sarah-Jane, fundraiser, champion of charities, lover of a good application form. I’m a fundraising consultant and a specialist in trusts and foundations.
I offer specialist support to charities of all sizes who need a bit of help with their fundraising. I have 15 years of sector experience, I started my career in service delivery and later began to manage projects and design new programmes, eventually becoming a fundraiser. I’m still not sure how that happened, but I’m glad it did. I adore what I do.
I’ve been lucky enough to work in-house across a range of different organisations and causes, with my last role being Assistant Director of Fundraising at Home-Start UK. Since working as a consultant I’ve supported a really wide range of causes including; early years, family support, closing the digital divide, disability support and health.
Experience
Includes
Assistant Director of
fundraising
Head of trusts
Senior Trusts Fundraiser
Trust Fundraiser
Fundraising & grants
Officer
Commissioned contract manager
Funding and Projects manager
Home-Start UK
Home-Start UK
Sands
Shine
Duke of Edinburgh's Award
NCT
Derbyshire Districts Citizens Advice
Services
No two charities are the same, and so neither is my support offer. I offer flexible consultancy to meet the unique needs of your organisation. Through a free discovery call we can have a good natter and together find the best way for me to help you.
Not sure where to start? Click below to explore some of the services I offer
Brilliant bid writing
Need some support getting your applications written? I can help with that. I have experience of developing applications for many different trust, foundation and statutory funding opportunities.
But lots of organisations find this work the hardest to present to grant-makers, often because application processes ask for projects. There is an art to taking your core work and shaping so it feels like a project.
Through our Brilliant Bid Writing Service I will provide the skills and capacity you need to write inspiring applications to help you connect with like-minded donors.
What’s included? Fully drafted applications with accompanying budgets for you to review and then submit.
Time required: varies depending on the application
Get in touch for a bespoke quote for your organisation
The fundraising friend service
Writing proposals and applications is easier when you have someone by your side. As a fundraising consultant the best possible outcome for me is that I help you to develop your fundraising skills so that you don’t need my help anymore.
Through our Fundraising Friend Service I will review your applications, providing supportive feedback and advice to help you hone your approach. This is a really cost effective way to access expert support.
What’s included? Real-time feedback in your live application documents, I will provide as many rounds of feedback as you need and support calls to explore key themes together to strengthen future bids.
Time required: 2+ hours
Get in touch for a bespoke quote for your organisation
The project parcel service
The best funding applications help you secure funding for the work you already had planned, the work your organisation is an expert in - your core services.
But lots of organisations find this work the hardest to present to grant-makers, often because application processes ask for projects. There is an art to taking your core work and shaping so it feels like a project.
Through our Project Parcel Service I will package your core work into fundable project pieces. By developing your case for support and budget to help you find a new way to attract core funding, even from restricted sources.
What’s included? A 4-6 page branded proposal document, designed with trust and foundation donors in mind which includes: real-life stories, quotes, impact and evidence - ready to share with potential new donors.
Time required: 5+ days
Get in touch for a bespoke quote for your organisation
The getting started service
Want to get started with trust and foundation fundraising but don’t know where to begin? I’ve been the first grant-income fundraiser for a range of national charities and can help your organisation explore this income stream and get a programme up and running.
Through our Getting Started Service I will help you to establish your; systems and processes, pipeline, template question responses covering your core projects and help you to begin submitting applications - leaving everything ready for you to take forward.
What’s included? Initial strategy meeting, prospect research, systems, toolkits and processes, template responses, initial applications ready for submission
Time required: 12-16 days
Get in touch for a bespoke quote for your organisation
Interim support
Do you need an extra pair of hands for a while? I offer interim trust and foundation fundraising support helping with all aspects including; applications, pipeline development, reporting and management.
Through our Interim Support Service I am able to step in and hit the ground running, providing the expert support you need to keep your fundraising moving forward through those busy periods or during times of change.
What’s included? Full trust and foundation fundraising support.
Time required: usually 3-6 months.
Get in touch for a bespoke quote for your organisation
About me
I’m Sarah-Jane, parent, dog owner, ardent Archers listener, theme park fanatic, fundraiser.
I live in Derbyshire with my husband James, our daughter Hattie and our dogs Larry and Daisy. I’m really proud to be a Mum and one of the reasons I have chosen to set up my own business is to have the flexibility to have more time with my brilliant small human.
I love to travel. Since I was 5 I have been touring the coast of the UK anti-clockwise with my family every May. We started in Dorset and in 2023 we were in Argyll and Bute – still a long way to go. My favourite places so far have been Shetland and Harris.
My favourite fundraising experience? Probably looking after the Weasley Twins at Buckingham Palace at DofE, closely followed by the day I spent slowly spinning above London at the BT Tower during my time at Home-Start UK.
Fundraising Assistants
Larry and Daisy
Lovely things people have said
“SJ has been working alongside the Jangala team since September 2023, helping to establish our trust and foundation fundraising. She was able to step in and hit the ground running, quickly developing our pipeline, case for support and proposals to begin building brilliant relationships with like-minded grant makers. SJ is extremely proactive, dedicated and a pleasure to work with. We are already starting to see brilliant results from SJ’s work.”
- Claire Marshall, Director of Fundraising and Communications, Jangala.
“SJ has been a joy to work with. From the beginning communication has been extemporary, from listening to our need and service offer, to creating a realistic funding strategy and plan of action. The funds that SJ identified gave us the best match for our work and therefore we were able to use our time, and hers, wisely to achieve the best outcomes we could. Investing in SJ’s time was the best thing we could have done for our sustainability, and we hope to work with her for many years to come.”
- Bren Butler, CEO, Home-Start Erewash
Get in touch
Hey there! I'd be thrilled to have a chat and see if I could lend a hand with your fundraising efforts.
You can reach me at sjpickeringconsulting@gmail.com
Our company is limited by guarantee and our registration number is 15043770.
