This introductory session explores the all considerations and steps required to plan your approach to ask for support from a business (also known as corporate fundraising).
Various methods, including group exercises and case studies, will be used to explore the principles and skills needed to "make the ask".
Our tutor is an experienced fundraiser and will share experience of ‘making the ask’ and building relationships with businesses.
So how does it work?
• The session will use Zoom to create a virtual classroom, where presentations and group interactive exercises will take place, just like they do in a traditional classroom
• There will be time to work independently to reflect on the learning in terms of your organisation
• The learning will culminate in participants delivering a 2-minute pitch at the end of the session
• There is even time scheduled for lunch and coffee breaks!
This session will help you:
• Explore the principles and techniques for approaching a business
• Consider mutual benefit, motivations and expectations from both sides
• Find out what a business needs to know about you
• Begin preparing your approach and shaping your ask.
Date:Wednesday 23rd September 2026
Time: 10:00 - 3:00
Level: Beginner
Cost: £80.00 per person
Sheffield voluntary and community groups: £40.00 per person (maximum 2 places per group)
Statutory Body/Individual Consultants: £160.00 per person
Venue: Zoom Virtual Classroom
PLEASE NOTE: A number of free places are available for voluntary & community groups in South Yorkshire. Please email andy@syfab.org.uk
Details of how to join the meeting will be emailed out the day before the training session to the email provided upon booking. Please include the name and email details for the person attanding the course, if you are booking for them.
If you have never used Zoom before there is a useful online guide to it here.
Previous Zoom Virtual Classroom participants said:
"A big thank you to you for a great course. It was well organised, interesting, challenging and informative. It will help me and I know it will help others, so thanks so much to you."
“I thoroughly enjoyed the course, it was interesting, enlightening and I learned a lot. You are an amazing tutor, a huge thank you."
To be honest I’ve always been a bit wary about online training, thinking it was a poorer substitute for live training, however I now see how online training works, the breakout rooms etc and to be honest I now prefer online to classroom. It was a wonderful experience”.
"It was a superb course. Both trainers were obviously very knowledgeable and experienced in the subject matter. They gave loads of feedback and encouragement to every participant. Just what I needed."
Interested?
You must book a place through our website. Please register with the email address you would like the Zoom invitation sent to.
*Places on the session are limited; we will open up further dates if there is the demand. To register your interest in future sessions please contact andy@syfab.org.uk
We accept bookings using the following payment methods:
• Online using debit/credit card or Paypal account
The quickest and easiest way to book places is to book and pay instantly online using the online booking system in the green box below. Select "Card/Paypal" for this option. Payment can be made by debit or credit card, or through your Paypal account if you have one. Your booking will then be confirmed immediately by email.
• Online followed by BACS
If you prefer to pay by BACS, you can provisionally reserve your place online by selecting "BACS / Cheque" on the payment screen. You then need to make a BACS payment using the details in the reservation email we send you. Please contact us if you are only able to pay by cheque. Once we've received your payment, we will confirm your place by email.
You can download our payment and cancellation terms and conditions here.
Sheffield voluntary and community sector organisations
A selection of our training sessions, which focus on different types of funding, are subsidised by Sheffield City Council for voluntary and community groups whose work benefits Sheffield residents. Sessions that are eligible for this subsidy will be highlighted under the ‘Cost’ section on the booking page. Eligible groups can access two subsidised places per session. Places are limited and bookings are only confirmed once payment has been received.