When Kirsty Scurr joined All Saints Community Project as Project Manager, one of her main responsibilities was to write funding bids – a task she had never undertaken before. Despite her enthusiasm for the project, the prospect of fundraising felt overwhelming, and she knew she needed support to build both skills and confidence.

Kirsty reached out to Funding for All for help, and kindly shares her experience of the support she received:

Getting started

“To build my understanding, I attended several of Funding for All’s online courses. While these were helpful, I still felt I needed more personalised, tailored support to grow my skills and feel confident in my new role. That’s when I decided to apply for one‑to‑one mentoring.

Starting the mentoring process was exactly the step I needed. It provided a safe and supportive space to ask questions, build clarity, and understand where to focus my efforts. It also helped me realise that I already knew more than I gave myself credit for – something that boosted my confidence early on.”

Mentoring in action

“The mentoring I received from Funding for All transformed my approach to fundraising. My mentor helped me create a clear and practical plan and gave me invaluable tips on how to structure funding bids and tailor them to specific funders. These insights didn’t just help me write stronger applications – they improved my approach to all fundraising work.

What made the biggest difference was the mentor’s flexibility, encouragement, and belief in my abilities. Their support empowered me to keep developing, and as my confidence grew, I felt able to take the next step in my professional development.” 

A stronger future

“With this new confidence, I enrolled in a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Fundraising, which I successfully passed with Distinction. The knowledge and support I received during mentoring played a major part in helping me reach this milestone.

I’m incredibly grateful for the guidance I received in the early days of my role. The mentoring not only strengthened my skills but also enabled me to support the financial stability of our project. It has been a crucial part of my journey – both professionally and personally.”

Inspired by this story? Your organisation could achieve more with the right support behind you.
Discover how our Mentoring Programme for Kent & Medway’s voluntary sector can help develop your fundraising and make an even bigger.