Nannas Funding Focus #2
Fundraising is not really about fundraising, is it?
It takes time to write a really good application for a foundation. No doubt. But when you think about it, actually applying for funding is almost the smallest part of the job.
It’s coming up with good ideas (and bad ones!) and gradually turning them into something worth pursuing. It’s researching an area you might not know much about yet. It’s approaching and bringing together partners and creating space for co-creation. It’s talking to foundations, developing a viable budget, getting organisational backing for an idea and drawing up agreements for partnerships that are, at that point, still only potential.
And only then do you sit down to write the application.
The more I work with fundraising, the clearer it becomes to me that being a fundraiser is not simply about knowing how to write a compelling application. It’s about connecting the dots: Understanding organisations, seeing potentials and bringing together people and perspectives together to approach complex challenges.
It requires financial understanding, curiosity about societal changes, trends and needs, and the ability to move freely between the small details of a project and the bigger picture of what you’re trying to change.
To me, fundraising is a mix of creativity, communication and analytical and strategic thinking. And eventually comes the application. Writing a good one is certainly a skill worth learning. But I don’t think it’s the most important one.
Because ultimately, the goal is to create projects that are worth funding.
If you’re curious to dive deeper into fundraising, Hello Aarhus runs a best practice network where we meet four times a year to share experiences, learn from each other and help each other develop strong ideas and projects. You’re more than welcome to reach out to get to know more or click here and read!
Best,
Nanna
Upcoming deadlines worth checking out:
2. oktober 2026: Norden 0-30, Nordisk Kulturkontakt
4. oktober 2026: Lauritzen Fonden (deadline again 8th of January 2027)
15. oktober 2026: Wisti Fonden
28. oktober 2026 kl. 12.00: OpEn – Udenrigsministeriets Oplysnings- og Engagementspulje.
