Lunch & Learn: Fundraising, Bid Writing and Resilience in 2026

You have a great idea for a new business, social enterprise or charity, and now you need the funding to bring it to life. But in a world where AI is everywhere and competition seems higher than ever, it can be difficult to know where to begin.

This Lunch and Learn session will help you to get started on your fundraising journey, discussing simple tools and techniques that you can use to build a weighted pipeline of prospects, prioritise your time and efforts, and write convincing bids. We will also explore how to make your applications stand out from the crowd, strategies for staying resilient when facing rejection, and where AI might be able to help you (and where it falls short).

Leave with practical approaches you can implement immediately to strengthen your fundraising and increase your chances of success.

Lunch is on us – just bring yourself and some curiosity.

This session will be led by Anna Ritchie, a leader of a small charity, , which harnesses the power of place-based giving and participatory grant-making for communities in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Anna also works as a freelance consultant, supporting other organisations with their fundraising and strategy, and specialises in working with small charities and social enterprises.

This event is brought to you by Better Space, an affordable coworking space and community that supports Islington residents, start ups and businesses to thrive and put purpose before profit. Commissioned by Islington Council and run by City St George's, University of London, Better Space offers below-market rate, flexible desk memberships, business support, community events and more.

Better Space a fully accessible venue from the main door on Farringdon Road. Please arrive no earlier than 12:15, unless you book a taster coworking day or day pass which can be done by emailing [email protected]. There are washroom facilities and access to water, tea and coffee, as well as on-road bike racks.

Visit www.betterspace.london to find out more!

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