In today's Coworking Values Podcast episode, Bernie jams with Jamila Daly, founder of Get That Money Fundraising and a consultant for Urban MBA in London.
Jamila shares how she got into fundraising and offers practical advice on how coworking spaces and small businesses can secure grant funding.
We talk through leveraging existing assets, crafting more robust grant applications, and partnering with others for mutual benefit.
Jamila also explains how organisations can escape the endless cycle of grant applications and shift towards being more self-sustaining.
If you're looking to improve your projects with external funding, this episode offers actionable insights.
Stay tuned to learn how your coworking space can tap into local authority grants while becoming a stronger candidate for funding by knowing your numbers, engaging your community, and maximising what you already have.
This conversation is full of tips you can start using today.
Timeline Summary
[00:50] – Jamila breaks down what she does at Get That Money and how she helps organisations with funding, asset use, and income generation.
[02:05] – Jamila shares how she stumbled into fundraising and turned it into a successful career.
[04:44] – Bernie and Jamila discuss the challenges of finding grants and offer practical advice on researching and identifying the right opportunities.
[06:47] – Jamila discusses her approach to competitor research and using free resources like the Charity Commission to find funding leads.
[11:38] – How to make your coworking space an attractive candidate for funding by aligning your metrics and community impact with grant criteria.
[14:06] – Collaborating for funding: Tips on evaluating potential partners and ensuring that partnerships are beneficial and aligned with your goals.
[19:11] – Breaking free from the endless grant cycle: Why sustainable income models are crucial for coworking spaces.
[24:06] – How to measure impact effectively and create engaging, concise reports for grant applications.
Detailed Episode Breakdown
How Jamila Discovered Her Passion for Fundraising:
Jamila recounts her shift from corporate life into fundraising.
Hired as an office manager at a charity, she quickly noticed a lack of focus on where the money came from.
After pitching a plan for fundraising training, she dove into the world of grant funding and hasn’t looked back since.
Finding Grants for Coworking Spaces:
Bernie and Jamila explore the challenges coworking spaces face when searching for grants.
Jamila shares her process, which includes starting with competitor research, using free databases like Charity Excellence, and signing up for local authority mailing lists.
Her advice? Build a clear roadmap before diving into the grant world.
Positioning Your Space for Funding Success:
Jamila stresses the importance of knowing your numbers—who uses your space, their demographics, and the outcomes of your activities.
By repackaging services, like offering programmes for women-led businesses, you can make your space more appealing to specific funds.
It’s about highlighting what you already do well rather than reinventing the wheel.
Collaborating for Funding:
Jamila gives practical tips on evaluating potential partners for joint funding applications.
Open discussions about roles, financial splits, and shared goals are crucial to ensuring collaborations benefit all parties involved.
Escaping the Grant Cycle:
Jamila talks about the pressure many organisations feel to apply for grants constantly.
While grants are helpful, she encourages coworking spaces to explore sustainable income streams, such as desk rentals and hosting workshops.
Diversifying revenue can prevent over-reliance on external funding.
Measuring and Reporting Impact:
Jamila highlights the importance of keeping impact reports short, sharp, and visually engaging.
A well-designed five-page report with infographics and photos will resonate much more than a 40-page text-heavy document.
Knowing your numbers and presenting them effectively makes your organisation stand out to funders.
Links & Resources:
Join the 7k people in the LinkedIn Coworking Group
Save the date 15th May 2025, European Coworking Day
Connect with Bernie on LinkedIn
Connect with Jamila on LinkedIn
One more thing
Remember, the strength of our communities lies in our collective efforts and shared values.
Please rate, follow, share, and leave a review for the Coworking Values Podcast; it helps our show have an even greater impact.
It also helps people in the general public and your neighbourhood understand coworking, how it can benefit their local community, and how it can benefit them in building their careers, projects, and work.
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Boosting Coworking Impact through Grants with Jamila Daley founder of "Get That Money!"