The Community Fundraising Collective 2026/27

A Practical, Creative Space to Grow and Future Proof Your Community Fundraising.

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12 Month Programme

The Collective runs over 12 months and blends individual mentoring, group learning and peer connection.
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Monthly 1:1 Mentoring

Each member receives 12 x monthly 1:1 mentoring sessions to focus on strategy, supporter engagement, income growth, volunteer management and team development
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Quarterly Group Workshops

4 x half-day group workshops per year (in-person or online). Designed for learning, reflection and collaboration. Core themes include sharing best practice, benchmarking, skill development, and peer problem-solving
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Members-Only WhatsApp Community

Ask questions, share resources, celebrate wins, and sense-check challenges in real time

At Academy Street Workshop our experience has taught us that:

  • People already have the answers – they just need the space and tools to unlock them
  • Strategy works best when it’s built collaboratively, not imposed
  • Play, creativity and reflection lead to better decisions and stronger outcomes

This is why our Collective brings together charities who want to pause, think differently and build community fundraising that actually works in the real world.

1. Purpose of the Collective

The Community Fundraising Collective is a structured peer-learning and mentoring programme designed specifically for Irish and UK charities with a strong focus on community fundraising.

The Collective supports charities to:

  • Grow and diversify community fundraising income
  • Strengthen supporter-led fundraising models
  • Build confidence, skills and strategic clarity within fundraising teams
  • Learn from peers facing similar challenges across Ireland and the UK
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2. Who It’s For

The Collective is designed for:

  • Irish and UK charities with an active or emerging community fundraising programme
  • Fundraisers, community fundraising managers and small teams juggling strategy and delivery
  • Organisations who value learning, reflection and practical action

It is particularly suited to charities who want to:

  • Move beyond short-term activity to sustainable community income
  • Strengthen relationships with volunteers and supporters
  • Create fundraising models that feel authentic, values-led and achievable
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3. Programme Structure       

The Collective runs over 12 months and blends individual mentoring, group learning and peer connection.

It is intentionally designed to be:

  • Supportive, not overwhelming
  • Strategic, but grounded in day-to-day reality
  • Creative, reflective and action-oriented

A. Monthly 1:1 Mentoring

  • 12 x monthly 1:1 mentoring sessions 
  • Tailored to each organisation’s needs and stage of development
  • Focus areas include strategy, supporter engagement, income growth, volunteer management and team confidence

B. Quarterly Group Workshops

  • 4 x half-day group workshops per year (in-person or online)
  • Designed for learning, reflection and collaboration
  • Core themes include sharing best practice, benchmarking, skill development, and peer problem-solving

C. Use of LEGO® Serious Play® Embedded throughout workshops to:

  • Foster creative thinking and strategy visibility
  • Encourage equal participation and deeper insight
  • Explore future fundraising models, supporter motivations, and organisational enablers/barriers

D. Members-Only WhatsApp Community

  • Members-only group for ongoing peer support
  • Ask questions, share resources, celebrate wins, and sense-check challenges in real time
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4. Value of the Collective

Members benefit from:

  • Dedicated expert mentoring
  • High-quality facilitated workshops
  • Proven creative methodologies (LEGO Serious Play)
  • A trusted peer network across Ireland and the UK
  • Clear return on time and investment
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Community Fundraising Collective Lead - Kevin Delaney

A leading nonprofit specialist with over 20 years experience working with and for nonprofit across Ireland and beyond. Kevin founded Academy Street Workshop to help amazing people build stronger organisations that achieve great things. 

Kevin’s nonprofit adventures have led him to speak on stages and in spaces to fundraisers, volunteers, board members and leaders in: Oslo, London, Rome, Amsterdam, Nashville, Navan, Lisbon, Dublin and more. 

He holds a Diploma in Fundraising Management and is a qualified LEGO Serious Play facilitator. 

Kevin is member of the Board of Trustees of SOFII - Showcase of Fundraising Innovation and Inspiration.

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5. Annual fee per organisation: €1,800

Includes:

  • Fully personalised 1:1 mentoring
  • Access to quarterly LEGO® Serious Play® workshops
  • Ongoing peer support and facilitation
  • Programme design, coordination and resources

Register Your Interest in the Community Fundraising Collective