As the global collective of collaborative and diverse change-makers, known as the Goalkeepers, continues to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals Initiative in South Africa, a recent “Grant Writing 101” session created space for a timely and practical conversation: how to search for and secure the resources needed to turn promising ideas into sustainable impact. The session was a practical and effective effort to support the community as they navigate the complex transition from ideas to implementation. It highlighted that while innovation and commitment are essential, the ability to secure and sustain funding remains a critical enabler of growth.
Convened by the Policy Innovation Lab at Stellenbosch University, the session brought together Goalkeepers, which include both emerging and well-known global leaders representing an eclectic range of cultures, professions and interests, for a focused engagement on fundraising. This was led by Dr Richard Gordon (CERI and SAMRC), whose experience ranges from academia and global health to innovation ecosystems. More than a technical workshop, the session invited participants to reflect on how they approach funding as a strategic and relational practice.
A central theme that emerged was the need to rethink what it means to “apply for funding”. Rather than approaching grant writing as a transactional exercise, participants were encouraged to view it as part of a continuous process of relationship building and positioning. The discussion highlighted that successful funding often begins long before a proposal is submitted, through ongoing engagement with funders, understanding their priorities and building active networks over time.
The conversation also surfaced the risks associated with relying on a single funding source. Participants reflected on how sudden shifts in funder priorities can disrupt even well-established projects, reinforcing the importance of building diversified funding streams. In this context, fundraising was framed not only as a short-term objective, but as a long-term strategy for resilience and sustainability.
Another key area of reflection centred on understanding the funder’s perspective. Funders are not only supporting ideas, but investing in people, partnerships and the feasibility of implementation. This requires applicants to communicate clearly why their work matters, why they are well positioned to deliver it and why the timing is right. These elements are just as important as the technical strength of a proposal.
Additionally, the value of collaboration featured as a strong pillar in fundraising practices. For example, within the Goalkeepers network, partnerships offer a powerful opportunity to strengthen funding applications by demonstrating interdisciplinary thinking, shared ownership and potential for scale. Participants were encouraged to actively seek out collaborators whose expertise complements their own, create diverse networks, and to approach funding as a collective, rather than individual, effort.
Alongside this, the session emphasised the importance of narrative. A strong proposal does more than present information, it tells a clear and compelling story. This includes articulating the problem being addressed, outlining a credible solution and demonstrating meaningful impact. For many participants, reframing grant writing as storytelling offered a useful perspective on how to communicate the impact of their work more effectively for a broader audience.
Overall, the session reinforced that effective grant writing is not a once-off task, but an ongoing, strategic process that combines relationship building, collaboration and clear storytelling. It helped Goalkeepers understand that they are better positioned to secure the resources needed to sustain and scale their work by rethinking how they approach funding. In this way, the session directly contributes to the broader goal introduced at the outset, which is enabling innovative ideas within the network to move beyond concept stage and translate into meaningful, long-term impact.