View all the photographs from the fair
Over 170 representatives from voluntary and community organisations across Berkshire gathered on 13th February 2025 at Royal Windsor Racecourse, for an engaging and insightful Funding Fair. Hosted in partnership with involve Community Services, Reading Voluntary Action, and Slough CVS, and funded by The National Lottery Awards for All, the event provided invaluable guidance on fundraising strategies, bid writing, and sustainability.
Attendees benefited from expert-led presentations, including insights from Ellie Philpott of Berkshire Community Foundation, The National Lottery, and AI specialist Christian Noll, offering fresh perspectives on securing funding in a digital age. Local organisations including The Baby Bank, Viva Slough, Britwell Youth and Community Project, and Slough Refugee Support shared their first-hand experiences of writing successful bids and completing monitoring forms.
Bringing the fun into fundraising, Creative Academy delivered a dynamic dance performance, showcasing the transformative impact of funding on young people’s lives.
The event also featured a marketplace, with exhibitors including Berkshire Community Foundation, Easy Fundraising, Tesco, SSE, and local CVS organisations, providing additional support and funding opportunities.
The afternoon was packed with interactive workshops, covering key topics: diversifying funding streams, using AI to write a successful application, monitoring and evaluating your funding application and funding strategy.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the workshops and presentations as exceptionally valuable.
Slough CVS CEO Asma Aziz commended the event, saying:
“Today has been incredibly productive for our voluntary and community organisations across Berkshire. Securing funding is essential for sustaining community initiatives, and it’s crucial that we equip ourselves with the knowledge to achieve the best outcomes for our charities.”
A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making the day such a success.