Photo courtesy of Rishabh Lalani
The session
On 29 June 2026, the Resilient Collective held its latest workshop: “Grant Writing: Practical Tools and Approaches,” led by fundraising strategist and social sector advisor Rishabh Lalani. The session brought together coalition members from across the globe to navigate one of the most pressing and persistent challenges in the movement: securing sustainable funding in a shrinking and increasingly unpredictable landscape.
Why it mattered
Across the coalition, one challenge consistently stands out: securing sustainable funding. In the Resilient Movement survey conducted in April 2025, 76.5% of respondents identified access to financial resources as a significant barrier, particularly the need for flexible funding that supports core operations rather than narrowly defined project-based grants.
The urgency is compounded by a global funding contraction. Coalition members working to end violence against women and girls are facing reduced donor pools, shifting geopolitical priorities, and greater competition for fewer resources, all while their work on the ground grows more critical.
From the Every Woman Resource Hub, Funding is one of the most frequently accessed sections, demonstrating the determination with which Resilient Collective members continue to pursue funding opportunities.
The Expert
Rishabh Lalani is a fundraising strategist, social sector advisor, and Founder & CEO of Kohmorehbee Consulting, with more than 13 years of experience supporting nonprofits, philanthropies, and grassroots organisations across the Global South and beyond in securing and effectively managing funding. He brings a distinctive perspective: one that is as attuned to the power dynamics of the funding landscape as it is to the practical craft of proposal writing.
Key Takeaways
- Understand Where the Money Comes From – Effective fundraising starts with understanding where funding originates and who controls it. Money flowing from the United States and Europe to the Global South is often driven by corporate and geopolitical priorities rather than on-the-ground needs. Understanding these dynamics is as important as writing a strong proposal.
- Know Your Funder – Research the source of a funder’s wealth, their motivations, and the people behind funding decisions. Funding typically flows through three main channels: corporations, individual philanthropists, and family foundations, each with distinct priorities and giving approaches. Rishabh encouraged members to research the source of a funder’s wealth, understand their motivations, and identify the individuals behind funding decisions before writing a single word.
- Invest in Relationships, Not Just Grants – Only a small proportion of grants are genuinely open and competitive. Rather than investing excessive time in grant searches or in proposal writing alone, prioritise building relationships with funders—particularly younger philanthropists and emerging donors who are likely to shape the future funding landscape.
Testimonials
This training was exceptional. I’ve learned a lot that will have me rethinking my funding strategy. I especially like the note you ended on! Zainab thank you so much for this empowering eye opening training! Please, please can we have more of this?! – Janice Smallwood, Liberia
This training has given us the much needed re-touch in resource mobilisation. Thank you very much. – Baale Samuel, Uganda
Thanks a lot for the exceptional session that goes beyond the traditional grant writing approach – Douaa Hussein, Egypt
The facilitator was a great communicator and thank you to the team for organizing this workshop. It is arguably one of the best workshops I have attended in a while. – Babale Gambo Maikidi, Nigeria
The presentation was very informative. The presenter graciously shared his insight and experience concerning grant writing and donor relations. – Lori J. Williams, USA
Thank you to the organisers and the trainer for an insightful and engaging session. The workshop was practical, informative, and highly relevant. I look forward to attending similar sessions in the future. – Najila Bayat, Afghanistan
