Giving Back

We believe fundraising expertise should be accessible to charities of all sizes. That’s why, alongside our work with clients, we provide pro bono fundraising support to charities and grassroots organisations doing important work but without the budget to access specialist fundraising advice. That might mean helping an organisation shape its strategy, strengthen a funding application, explore a new income stream or simply providing an experienced sounding board at the right moment.

By helping charities become stronger and more sustainable, we can help them reach more people, protect vital services and create greater long-term impact. 

Every organisation we support is different, but the aim is always the same: to provide thoughtful, practical fundraising support that helps charities move forward with greater confidence and clarity.

We’ve worked with charities of every size and know that some of the most ambitious, community-led organisations are also the most stretched. Limited budgets, small teams and competing priorities can make it difficult to invest in external expertise, even when the need is clear.

Our pro bono work is one way we can help address that. Importantly, by helping charities become stronger fundraisers, we’re also helping them continue supporting the people, places and communities that rely on them. 

It’s an opportunity to share the experience we’ve built over many years, support organisations doing important work, and contribute to a stronger, more resilient charity sector. We don’t see it as giving something away. We see it as investing in the people, communities and environments those organisations exist to serve.

Each year, we support a small number of charities and community organisations through our pro bono programme.

In 2025, as part of our tenth anniversary celebrations, we’ve expanded this commitment and are supporting ten organisations through our ’10 for 10′ initiative. 

There isn’t a formal application process and we don’t focus on any one cause area. Instead, we look for organisations where our experience can add genuine value.

Our recent pro bono partnerships include organisations working in mental health and wellbeing, food poverty, young people’s services, domestic abuse, community development, nature and the environment, and international development – all areas where we have significant experience and a genuine passion for the work being done.

Every organisation we support is different, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. We tailor our support to the needs of each charity, drawing on the same experience, insight and practical fundraising expertise we bring to all of our work.

Support might include:

• Helping to develop or refine a fundraising strategy
• Identifying and prioritising funding opportunities
• Strengthening a case for support or writing funding application
• Exploring new income streams, such as trusts, major donors or legacies
• Providing an external perspective at a time of change or growth
• Acting as a sounding board to help organisations build confidence and momentum

Sometimes it’s a focused piece of work with a clear goal. Sometimes it’s a series of conversations that help an organisation find its direction. Whatever the shape of the support, our aim is always to provide practical, thoughtful advice and action that organisations can use long after our involvement ends. Ultimately, everything we do is focused on helping charities raise more income and create lasting impact.

Our pro bono partnerships continually remind us that great fundraising isn’t just about raising money.

It’s about helping organisations find clarity, build confidence and create the foundations for long-term sustainability. Sometimes a fresh perspective is enough to unlock momentum. Sometimes it’s a practical piece of support at exactly the right moment. More often than not, it’s the relationships, conversations and shared commitment that make the greatest difference.

We’ve learned that some of the most ambitious organisations are also the most resource-constrained, and that a small amount of support can have a lasting impact when it’s tailored to the needs of the organisation.

Every partnership teaches us something new. We hope the charities we work alongside benefit from our experience, but we know we learn just as much from them: about resilience, creativity, community and the power of people working together to create positive change.

“The support we received made a huge difference. We learned so much from Orchard’s approach, and it has helped us think more clearly about future applications.”

Phil Noon, Managing Director, Evolving Mindset

We review potential pro bono partnerships throughout the year. While we’re not always able to offer support, we’re always interested in hearing about organisations doing great work in their communities. If you think Orchard Fundraising could help, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch and tell us a little about your organisation and the challenge you’re facing.

Our pro bono work is always evolving.

Below you’ll find the latest stories, insights and updates from the organisations we’ve supported, alongside reflections on what we’re learning together along the way.