Fundraising, marketing & communications series

Build your fundraising and communications skills and learn practical ways to grow support and strengthen your impact.

Strong fundraising and clear communications help shelters and rehoming organisations reach more people and create lasting change. Our online sessions give you practical skills you can use straight away, whether you’re new to this work or looking to deepen your expertise.

These short courses are designed for people working or volunteering in animal welfare charities of any size. You’ll learn from real examples, build confidence and leave with ideas you can put into action the very next day. 

What you’ll get out of it

Our sessions help you:

  • Strengthen your fundraising skills across a range of income streams.
  • Communicate your charity’s work with clarity and heart.
  • Build supporter relationships that last.
  • Make confident decisions about where to focus your time and resources.
  • Develop practical plans that support long‑term sustainability.

All sessions are delivered online, making them easy to join from anywhere.

What's up next

9 June 2026 – Building a communications plan

10 June 2026 – Grants fundraising: Advanced

17 June 2026 – Social media: Understanding your online presence

24 June 2026 – Individual giving and appeals

Fundraising skills

Online

Grants fundraising: An introduction

Build confidence in securing and managing grant income. Learn how the grant cycle works, how to find opportunities and how to prepare strong applications.  

Best for: People new to grants fundraising.  

Next session: Thursday 3 September 2026 | 9.30am – 1.30pm BST 

Online

Grants fundraising: Advanced

Deepen your skills and strengthen your success with grant‑makers. Explore changing funder expectations, build compelling cases for support and develop long‑term partnerships.  

Best for: Experienced grants fundraisers.  

Next session: Wednesday 10 June 2026 | 9:30am - 1:30pm BST 

Online

Major Donor Fundraising

Discover how to build meaningful relationships that lead to significant gifts. Learn how to identify potential donors, nurture trust and create engagement plans that feel achievable.  

Best for: Staff or volunteers responsible for fundraising.  

Next session: Wednesday 29 July 2026 | 9:30am - 12:30pm BST 

Online

Legacy Fundraising

Develop a sustainable income stream through gifts in wills. Understand the legacy landscape, identify potential supporters and create messages that feel warm, clear and appropriate.  

Best for: Staff or volunteers responsible for fundraising.  

Next session: Wednesday 14 October 2026 | 9:30am - 12:30pm BST 

Online

Individual giving and appeals

Strengthen your individual giving programme and create effective appeals. Learn what motivates donors, how to build long‑term relationships and how to design appeals that support growth.  

Best for: Staff or volunteers responsible for fundraising.  

Next session: Wednesday 24 June 2026 | 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM BST 

Online

Income diversification

Identify the right income streams for your organisation. Explore different funding options and learn how to make confident decisions about where to focus your time and resources.  

Best for: Staff or volunteers responsible for fundraising.  

Next session: Wednesday 11 November 2026 | 9:30am - 11:30am GMT 

Fundraising strategy and planning

Online

Creating a fundraising strategy

Build a clear, actionable roadmap for sustainable income. Learn how to assess your current activity, set achievable goals and create a strategy that supports long‑term growth.  

Best for: Senior fundraising staff.  

Next session: TBC | Two half days.  

Communications and marketing

Online

Building a Comms Plan

Create a clear, manageable framework for your marketing activity. Understand your audiences, plan purposeful communications and make confident decisions with limited capacity.  

Best for: People involved in marketing or keen to learn more.  

Next session: Wednesday 9 June 2026 | 10:00am - 12:00pm BST 

Online

Social Media: Understanding Your Online Presence

Strengthen engagement with limited resources. Learn how to use social media strategically, create content that supports your goals and manage risk during challenging situations.  

Best for: Anyone managing social media channels.

Next session: Wednesday 17 June 2026 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm BST