Fundraising Capacity Development Framework – in short FUNCAP
FUNCAP is our practical, field-tested framework for strengthening the grant fundraising capacities of non-profit organisations with a focus on philanthropic foundations. Built on our 20+ years of hands-on work with NGOs, FUNCAP provides a clear, structured pathway to build the skills, systems, and confidence needed for successful grant fundraising – especially when targeting international trusts and foundations. And on top it gets you ready for unrestricted funding or core grants!
At the core of FUNCAP is the 4R Model – a step-by-step process that guides you through every stage of the grant fundraising cycle:
1 – RESEARCH: you develop your grant funding strategy and research your best potential funders;
2 – RELATE: your make yourself visible and engage successfully with potential donors;
3 – REQUEST: you write winning grant proposals that stick using storytelling elements; and
4 – RENEW: you communicate your impact and renew your bond.
Blended learning
In FUNCAP we combine group training and individual coaching
Phase 1: Group trainings
FUNCAP consists of two phases. The first phase (1 month) is the training phase, which includes one weekly group session lasting 2.5 hours via Zoom. During these sessions, we cover the specific content of each phase in an engaging and interactive way, with exercises, breakout rooms, and plenty of fun. The trainings are supported by short video tutorials, which are assigned as homework after each session.
Phase 2: Individual coaching
The second phase (1 month) is the coaching phase, during which we work on concrete outputs to improve your grant fundraising capacity. You can select 4 individual coaching sessions from the 8 available. Each session is one-on-one with your team lasting 1.5 hours, and you may include as many team members as needed. Coachings are conducted online via Zoom and last 1.5 hours. During these sessions, we work on concrete outputs that you can apply immediately.
The coaching sessions include the following:
Grant fundraising strategy
We develop a fundraising strategy, including financial goals, an analysis of the different donor markets, and an activity schedule.
Donor mapping
We carry out a donor mapping exercise, which involves identifying a number of potential donor matches and ranking them into hot, medium, and cold categories.
Program model
We will develop a clear program model, which outlines the main problem you are tackling, your unique solution, and the impact you are creating.
Comms check
We conduct an analysis of your existing website, annual reports, and LinkedIn profiles including recommendations.
Connections & moves
We find connections with your hottest donor matches and provide support using the five key moves: email, phone, meetings, LinkedIn, and sector events.
New proposal
We develop or review a new concept note or proposal, that you are currently preparing for a specific donor.
Proposal analysis
We conduct a meta-analysis of your existing grant proposals to identify patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement.
Impact reporting
We review how you can best communicate your impact and take your funder partnerships to the next level.
Some FUNCAP voices
FUNCAP helped us rethink how we show our work. We redesigned our website, strengthened our donor relations, and gained new partners.
FUNCAP really does put FUN in fundraising. I didn`t expect to learn so much. It was transformative - rich, clear, full of practical insights.
FUNCAP was an amazing learning journey. After 28 years of fundraising, I was not sure how many novelties there were for me to learn. But I was positively surprised with the amount of new knowledge, skills and information gained.
FUNCAP is ideal for…
… small- to medium-sized organisations working in Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America, or Eastern Europe.
… organisations that already have a certain presence but want to grow and expand their grant funding.
… non-profits that want to explore additional grant funding from international foundations and that are ready to invest in partnership building.
… organisations that are ready to invest at least two workdays per phase (a total of eight workdays) to build their capacity.
… AND for foundations that want to invest in the capacity-building of their grantee partners by offering FUNCAP to them as part of their support.
Over the past 5 years we have worked with DROSOS Foundation and Porticus who have offered FUNCAP to their grantee partners in countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine across sectors like arts and culture, youth, peace building, criminal justice or citizen engagement.
FUNCAP Cohort 2026
We will have 4 Cohorts in 2026.
Seats are limited to 24 organisations
(6 organisations per Cohort).
3 people from one organisation can join.