Independent Fundraising Consultant
Strategic grant fundraising for international NGOs.
I help international non-profits strengthen how they find funding, apply for grants, and communicate their impact — so fundraising becomes more focused, more sustainable, and less reactive.
I am an independent fundraising consultant specialising in grant funding for international NGOs. Based in the UK with over a decade of experience across Europe, Africa, and Asia, I work with organisations navigating some of the most complex funding landscapes in international development, climate, civil society, and migration.
My work sits at the intersection of strategy and storytelling. I help organisations understand where their best funding opportunities lie, build credible and compelling cases for support, and translate complex programmes into narratives that resonate with specific donors. I work on the full grant cycle — from identifying the right funders and shaping early-stage project ideas, through to writing proposals, reporting to donors, and strengthening long-term fundraising systems.
My core expertise is in grant funding from philanthropic foundations and trusts, bilateral and multilateral institutions, and intergovernmental bodies such as the United Nations and the World Bank. I also support clients exploring how impact investment and private-sector partnerships might complement their existing grant strategies.
I work as a genuine partner and treat each client as the expert in their own mission. Every engagement is shaped around how an organisation already works, rather than imposed from a theoretical model. My role is to surface, clarify, and strengthen what is already there.
My work spans the full grant funding cycle. Most clients come to me for one or two areas of support, and many return for longer-term strategic partnerships as their fundraising evolves.
Donor Mapping & Funder Intelligence
Understanding where your best funding opportunities actually are — not just which calls are currently open. I research and assess the funder landscape specific to your organisation, identifying realistic prospects and helping you build a proactive pipeline.
- Landscape analysis across 40–50 relevant funders, assessed for strategic fit
- Identification of 10–15 priority funders where alignment is strongest
- Insight into funder preferences, decision-making, and past grant patterns
- A curated, living database to capture funder intelligence and relationship history
Proposal & Concept Note Writing
Turning project ideas into funder-ready documents that are clearly structured, compellingly argued, and tailored to specific donors. I work with your team to shape the narrative, sharpen the theory of change, and produce documents that are credible and persuasive.
- Concept notes for early-stage funder engagement
- Full grant proposals for philanthropic, bilateral, and multilateral funders
- Budget narratives and technical annexes
- Adaptations of existing proposals for new donors or funding rounds
Fundraising Strategy & Pipeline Development
Moving your organisation from reactive grant-chasing to a more intentional, sustainable approach. I work with leadership and fundraising teams to assess current income, identify gaps, and develop a realistic strategy to diversify and grow grant income over time.
- Fundraising assessment and income analysis
- Priority funder strategy and sequencing
- Tools and systems to support long-term fundraising discipline
- Strategic advisory support on timing, approach, and relationship-building
Project Positioning & Pitch Development
Helping organisations shape project ideas before they reach the proposal stage. I work with programme teams to pressure-test ideas against funder expectations, identify the strongest angles, and develop pitches that land with the right audiences.
- Funder-aligned project framing and narrative development
- Pitch decks and short-form presentations for donor meetings
- Positioning briefs to clarify how your work fits specific funder priorities
- Strategic messaging adaptable across multiple funders
Impact Communication & Donor Reporting
Helping organisations clearly and credibly demonstrate what they have achieved in ways that strengthen funder relationships. Good reporting is not just a compliance exercise — done well, it builds trust and opens doors to future funding.
- Donor reports (narrative and financial) for foundations and institutional funders
- Case studies and impact stories for funder communication
- Learning and evaluation summaries for multi-year grants
- Templates and frameworks to make ongoing reporting more efficient
My clients are typically international NGOs and civil society organisations that already receive grant funding and want to expand, diversify, or strengthen their approach to securing it. They understand the value of strategic fundraising support, and are looking for a partner with genuine sector knowledge rather than a generic service provider.
I have particular experience working with organisations in:
A selection of recent client engagements, chosen to illustrate the range of organisations and funding challenges I work with.
European Climate Foundation
Collaborated with one of the world's leading climate funders on the development of a major funding proposal for a new initiative, contributing to a multiple-million-dollar fundraising ask. The work involved close collaboration on the proposal's early positioning and narrative development.
Open Information Partnership
Provided ongoing donor mapping support to one of the UK's leading programmes supporting fact-checking organisations across Central and Eastern Europe. This included identifying key funders, demystifying the funding process for smaller partner organisations, and helping build a more strategic approach to funder engagement.
Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR)
Supported this Australia-based climate and clean energy organisation through a focused strategic brief to identify priority international funders and tailor their fundraising narrative for European and North American audiences — including preparation for in-person funder engagement in London with the Children's Investment Fund Foundation.
EcoAgriculture Partners — 1000 Landscapes for 1 Billion People
Provided strategic fundraising support as this flagship initiative expanded outreach to new philanthropic funders — including a full funder landscape analysis, identification of high-potential prospects, and facilitation of a warm introduction to Oak Foundation in Geneva.
ASARECA — Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa
Developed a funder-facing concept note translating a dense, highly technical 30-page strategy document into a clear, accessible summary for philanthropic audiences — articulating ASARECA's theory of change and regional convening role in ways that resonate with funder priorities.
Catholic Relief Services
Conducted a donor mapping exercise to inform CRS's funding strategy for their Action for the Protection and Integration of Migrants in West Africa programme.
Fake News (Poland) / The Fundraising Agency
Developed a successful proposal securing €55,000 from the European Media and Information Fund to support fact-checking activities on social media.
Let's talk about your fundraising.
If you are looking for experienced, strategic fundraising support — whether for a specific proposal, a donor mapping exercise, or a longer-term partnership — I would be glad to talk through what might be most useful for your organisation.
Engagements are scoped and priced based on the specific need, the scale of the work, and the level of involvement required. I work with a small number of clients at any one time to ensure every engagement receives the attention it deserves.
morrison.molly@gmail.com