For Fellows

Your next stage of development

You have built substantial experience, developed important relationships and proved yourself as a fundraiser. And you know there is more you could achieve.

Perhaps you are beginning to work with philanthropists whose ambitions go beyond conventional major gifts. Perhaps you already lead principal gifts relationships and want to go further: navigating more complex situations, engaging more closely with institutional leadership, or recognising opportunities that demand a different approach.

The Fellowship helps you develop the judgement, confidence and influence to lead your institution’s most significant philanthropic partnerships.

The next step is not simply a bigger gift

As your responsibilities grow, the challenges change. You may need to recognise opportunities before they are fully formed, influence senior colleagues without formal authority, or sustain relationships when the way forward is uncertain.

Technical fundraising expertise remains essential, but it is no longer enough. What makes the difference is how you think, judge, engage and lead. The Fellowship gives you the chance to develop these capabilities deliberately, rather than waiting for experience to teach them.

Understand philanthropy more deeply

Develop a more sophisticated understanding of philanthropists: their motivations, families, advisers and networks, and what shapes their most significant decisions.

What you will develop

See more · Think differently · Lead with confidence

Each of the Fellowship’s five capabilities makes a practical difference to how you work, and to the contribution you make to your institution.

These are capabilities that can change the opportunities you pursue,
and the contribution you make to your institution.

Recognise opportunities others may overlook

See and shape the possibilities that emerge when philanthropic ambition meets institutional purpose, beyond established propositions and programmes.

Engage with greater authority

Bring the presence, confidence and judgement to engage influential philanthropists, advisers and senior leaders, and to make or facilitate the ask at the right moment.

Mobilise your institution

Bring together leaders, expertise and colleagues around significant philanthropic opportunities.

Lead complex relationships

Build trust, navigate uncertainty and sustain progress when relationships and circumstances become demanding.

THE EXPERIENCE

Room to step back

Ten months, not a one-off

Experienced fundraisers spend much of their time responding to immediate demands. Relationships need attention. Opportunities need progressing. Colleagues need support. There is rarely space to examine how you approach the work itself.

The Fellowship creates that space, with experienced practitioners, a professional coach and peers who understand the pressures you face.

Rather than occasional moments of inspiration, the Fellowship offers sustained development. You will test your judgement in realistic simulations, work on live challenges with an experienced mentor, build self-awareness through coaching and learn alongside experienced peers.

Learn · Practise · Apply · Reflect · Refine

EXPLORE THE FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE

WHO IT IS FOR

Is the Fellowship right for you?

A small cohort · A significant opportunity

The Fellowship is designed for experienced fundraisers ready to extend their capabilities and contribution. You might be:

a major gifts professional preparing to work at principal gifts level
a principal gifts professional seeking to deepen your strategic capability
a senior fundraiser responsible for complex philanthropic partnerships
a high-potential professional whose institution sees you contributing at a more ambitious level

You do not need to have secured a principal gift. What matters is your experience, your ambition and your willingness to challenge how you think and work.

Around ten experienced professionals will form the inaugural cohort. The small group is intentional: it allows individual attention and the trust needed to discuss difficult situations openly.

You will learn alongside people who understand the demands of ambitious fundraising, but whose different institutions and experiences will challenge your thinking.

As a founding Fellow, you will also join a growing network of senior peers across the sector.

Making the case

An investment in you · A benefit to your institution

Most Fellows are sponsored by their institution. The strongest case for sponsorship is not simply that you will become a more capable professional, but that your development will strengthen your institution’s ability to identify, develop and advance its most significant philanthropic opportunities.

Before speaking to your Director, consider:

Where could stronger judgement make a difference to your current work?
Where might greater confidence or influence help you engage colleagues and leadership?
Which relationships or opportunities could benefit from a more imaginative or strategic approach?

Your answers connect your ambitions with your institution’s priorities.

The investment is £11,000 + VAT. We are happy to provide a short briefing for your Director, or to speak with them directly.

ARRANGE A CONVERSATION

Places in the inaugural cohort are being confirmed now; please be in touch by 30 November 2026.

THE INAUGURAL FELLOWSHIP

Join the founding cohort

DATES

January–October 2027.
Onboarding is now under way.

COHORT

Approximately ten Fellows, selected for their experience, readiness and the contribution they will make to the group.

FORMAT

In-person experiential workshops, virtual development sessions, and individual mentoring and coaching.

INVESTMENT

£11,000 + VAT
per Fellow

To be considered for the inaugural cohort, please arrange a conversation by 30 November 2026.

Every Fellowship begins with a conversation with a Founding Partner.

Your next step

If you recognise yourself in these ambitions, we would welcome a conversation.

You do not need to have decided whether to participate, or secured institutional sponsorship, before getting in touch.

A conversation with a Founding Partner is an opportunity to explore your professional ambitions, understand the Fellowship and consider whether it is the right next step for you.

Conversations are confidential.