The Story Behind Straightforward Funding
An Eclectic Path with a Common Thread
My career hasn’t been a straight line—it’s been an adventure. I’ve flipped burgers in Burger King, managed a backpackers’ hostel in Australia, and even spent several years as a licensed door supervisor in an assortment of busy town-centre pubs and clubs.
From door-to-door sales to National Development Manager roles for the Rugby Football League, I’ve worked in hospitality, sales, community development, sport, and education. But across almost every role—whether I was coaching Rugby League or coordinating community hubs for schools—a common thread emerged: People, community, change—and the challenge of finding the money to make it all happen.
The Leap of Faith
After 20 years of applying for grants and managing projects for schools, sport clubs, Local Authorities and Governing Bodies of Sport, I took a leap of faith and established my own thing – Straight Forward Funding.
I left the “safe” salaried environment because I wanted the freedom to support a wider range of organisations. However, I quickly realised that as an independent consultant, I didn’t have the capacity to help everyone who asked—especially the small, grassroots groups with little to no budget.
Knowing I had the skills to make a difference but not the hours in the day was frustrating. So, I found a solution!
Empowering You
I decided to diversify. Instead of just “writing the bids for you,” I decided to share my knowledge and skills as well.
My ultimate goal is to give you the confidence, skills, and systems to apply for grants yourself – underpinned by a strategic, ambitious organisational framework..
I don’t just want to get you a one-off grant (although I admit, its a pretty welcome start these days); I help you build a stronger, more sustainable organisation that can serve your community for years to come.
Client Testimonial
Book a 'no obligation' call with Lisa here to explore your ideas and answer your queries:
Straightforward Funding: Strategic Capacity Building & Sector Support
I provide specialist consultancy and training designed to empower the Third Sector, Education, and Sports organisations. With over 25 years of experience in schools and sports and community development, I bridge the gap between grassroots need and strategic investment.
I partner with Infrastructure Bodies, Local Authorities, and Governing Bodies to deliver scalable funding support services that strengthen local sectors and increases external investment.
Why Partner With Me?
- Proven ROI: My clients have secured hundreds of thousands of pounds in funding, ranging from local small grants to major national awards.
- Sector Knowledge: Lived experience in the unique challenges of the Education, Sport, and Community sectors.
- Scalability: Ability to deliver high-quality support via digital platforms or face-to-face sessions.
- End-to-End Delivery: I can manage the entire process—from designing resources and facilitating the sessions to gathering participant feedback. This allows you to provide high-quality support to your partners without adding to your internal administrative workload.
Success Stories
- Infrastructure Commissions: Commissioned by One Community Foundation and multiple Local Authorities to deliver VCS support.
- Impact Mapping: Facilitated strategic project design for WYCA Behaviour Change Team
- Community Success: Supported a single volunteer-led organisation to move from zero funding to £100,000 in secured grants over 24 months.
- Schools and Education expertise: Generated over £1,000,000 in small grants for a cluster of schools improving outcomes for children and families
Core Competencies
1. Sector Capacity Building
- Design and delivery of “Funding Fundamentals” programmes for cohorts of community organisations.
- Training in Theory of Change and Impact Mapping to improve sector understanding and reporting.
- Mentoring for budding social entrepreneurs
2. Strategic Funding Research
- Development of bespoke Funding Pipelines for specific geographic areas or thematic sectors.
- Identification of “Best-Fit” grant opportunities.
- Strategic Updates: Regular, sector-specific funding briefings to keep your partners informed and deadline-ready.
3. Professional Development & Workshops
- CPD-standard workshops on subjects such as Bid Writing, Monitoring & Evaluation, and Strategic Partnerships.
- Accessible, jargon-free training tailored for volunteers and time-poor staff.
I have worked with
SOME OF THE ORGANISATIONS I HAVE SUPPORTED INCLUDE:
Book a 'no obligation' call with Lisa here to explore your ideas and answer your queries:
Facts about Lisa
- I have helped dozens of schools, and hundreds of community groups, sports clubs and charities to apply for - and receive - grant funding.
- I specialise in supporting groups to look at fundraising as just one element of their development strategy; I believe you have the skills, knowledge and commitment to succeed - I provide you with a framework, systems, and strategies to enable you to maximise your opportunities.
- I am a project grant specialist – I can help you get from that initial spark of an idea to an effective full application - and support you to do that in a way that complements your vision, mission and values.
- I believe connecting, cooperating and collaborating are crucial to an organisations or projects success.
- I have moved house 32 times to date. Perhaps this is why community is so important to me now.
- I love sport – I played, coached and developed Rugby League for many years but as I've got older, mountain biking, bouldering, running and hiking have become ‘my thing’. This involvement in sport has helped me become the person I am today.
- When I’m not working I love to spend time with my partner, and our four cats (Princess, Pudding, Bella and Nutty McNutface!)
- My ideal weekend is to escape in my old campervan (AKA Little Lester) for a few adventures in the great outdoors.