For many fundraisers, understanding what happens after submitting a grant application is unclear.
What makes one application stand out, while another gets rejected? What are assessors really looking for? And what are the common mistakes that can weaken an otherwise strong bid?
Having assessed grant applications for more than 20 years, Get Grants Director John Ellery has reviewed hundreds of grants across a range of funders and grant programmes. In this practical MASTERCLASS, you will explore behind the scenes of the grant assessment process, sharing what assessors look for when making those all important funding decisions.
You will gain a deeper understanding of how applications are assessed, how due diligence is carried out, what can impact your chance of success and how to present your organisation in a way that gives assessors trust and confidence.
Who is this session for?
Whether you’re new to grant fundraising or looking to maximise your success rate, this session will help you see your applications through an assessor’s eyes and strengthen your approach to funding applications.
This session is ideal for charity fundraisers, senior leadership, and anyone involved in writing or reviewing grant applications for charitable organisations.
This 1-hour Grant Assessment MASTERCLASS will include:
- Understanding the process of funders assessing grant applications
- Top tips for how to engage and influence an assessor through your application
- Exploring the role of language, tone and storytelling in assessments
- How to answer application questions with clarity and confidence
- Avoiding common mistakes that assessors typically don’t like
- How your website, social media and online content can impact funding decisions
- Practical ways to present your organisation in the best possible light to assessors
Why attend?
Most fundraisers never get to see the assessment process from the other side of the table.
This MASTERCLASS offers an opportunity to hear from an experienced grant assessor and understand how funding decisions are made. You’ll leave with practical insights that can help you write stronger applications, avoid common errors and maximise your chances of success.
This session will help you see your grant applications from an assessor’s perspective and start submitting bids with more confidence.
This 1-hour webinar-style session will be delivered online via Zoom.
All attendees of the live Masterclass will receive a copy of the session recording. We will also make the recording available to purchase on-demand via our website after the session.
Upcoming Dates
- When: Tuesday 13th October 2026, 12pm – 1pm
- Cost: £15
- Book your place today through Eventbrite.
Upon registering for a Get Grants Training Course please check spam, promotional, and junk email folders for Get Grants communications – thank you!
Alternatively, contact us to request a booking form.
About the Trainer
John Ellery is Founder and Director of Get Grants.
He has a passion for supporting small grassroots community organisations and this is reflected in the range of support and resources we offer at Get Grants.
John is the creator of our most popular Training Course Bid Writing for Charities & Community Groups and delivered Masterclasses on Core Costs and Bid Writing Credibility.
For over a decade prior to establishing Get Grants in 2012, John worked for as a Community Worker, Fundraiser and Grants Maker. John worked for a range of local community organisations and national charities, in particular working in disadvantaged communities and with young people with disabilities.
He also has considerable experience in grant making, including working for a national grant-making charity and on a personal level establishing a small grant-making Trust.
When not fundraising or delivering our training and events, John fills his time with his three young children, making homebrew, and talking about the woes of supporting Crystal Palace.
