Working With Funders | Organisational Development Support for Grantees

How we work with funders

Strengthening the organisations behind the outcomes

We support funders who recognise that programme outcomes depend not only on good ideas, but on healthy organisations with capable leadership, effective systems, and the capacity to manage change, growth, and accountability.

Our role is to provide independent, proportionate organisational support that complements funding strategies and helps grantees succeed.

Our involvement can range from senior advisory, facilitation, and leadership support through to hands-on delivery with clear, tangible outputs.

We offer flexible partnership models that align with different funding approaches and portfolio needs. Our work is always designed to be supportive rather than supervisory, and to protect the autonomy and dignity of funded organisations.

Portfolio-wide commissioned support

Funders commission Nonprofit Plus to deliver structured organisational development or leadership programmes across a cohort or portfolio of funded organisations.

This may include:

leadership development programmes
organisational reviews and improvement planning
change or growth readiness support
quality and governance strengthening

This approach provides consistency, shared learning, and value across a portfolio.

Opt-in support for grantees

Funders make Nonprofit Plus support available as an optional resource that grantees can access when facing specific organisational challenges.

Typical triggers include:

rapid growth or expansion
leadership transition
increased regulatory or contractual scrutiny
internal capacity or performance pressures

This model respects grantee choice and ensures support is accessed where it is most needed.

Targeted or responsive interventions

In some cases, funders commission targeted support for organisations navigating complex, sensitive, or high-risk situations.

This may include:

independent organisational assessments
leadership or governance support
facilitation during periods of conflict, restructuring, or change
interim advisory or stabilisation support

Our work focuses on constructive improvement, not compliance or fault-finding.

What funders can expect

Independent, senior-level insight

Our work is grounded in lived nonprofit leadership experience and delivered with independence and professional judgement.

Proportionate and practical support

We design interventions that are realistic given each organisation’s size, resources, and operating context.

Respect for grantee autonomy

We work alongside organisations rather than on behalf of funders, helping to build trust and engagement.

Assurance as well as improvement

Our work supports both organisational learning and funder confidence, without creating unnecessary burden.

Aggregate learning and reporting

Where appropriate, we provide portfolio-level insights on common themes, risks, and strengths, without individual performance management or punitive comparison. Individual organisational data remains confidential unless explicitly agreed otherwise.

Let's talk

We welcome conversations with trusts and foundations exploring how organisational development, leadership support, and assurance can sit alongside funding to strengthen long-term impact.