Fundraising Services
At Start with Local, we know that fundraising is about more than raising money — it’s about building relationships, bringing stakeholders on a journey, and ensuring that every initiative is designed with and for the community.
Working with you
We provide flexible fundraising support tailored to your needs:
• Project basis — we can step in to design and deliver fundraising for a specific initiative.
• Retained support — we can be engaged for a set number of days each month, providing ongoing expertise and management.
• Targeted input — we can join for a defined period to strengthen a campaign, strategy, or funding application.
Our Approach
• Hybrid fundraising expertise — We have very wide experience covering grants, trusts, corporate partnerships, large donors, crowdfunding, council funding including NCIL, and in kind contributions.
• Partnership & business development — we help build collaborations with councils, businesses, and community stakeholders to unlock new opportunities and long term sustainability. Funders like a wider more collaborative approach.
• Proven track record — successful funding secured from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, People’s Postcode Lottery, City Bridge Trust, the Greater London Authority, and local authority managed funding including NCIL.
• Community rooted delivery — ensuring projects are co designed with local people, so funding reflects shared priorities and creates lasting impact.
• Relationship management — treating funders and partners as long term collaborators, not one off transactions.
• Impact and accountability — writing applications, managing reporting, and demonstrating outcomes clearly and transparently.
Leadership
This work is led by Simeon Linstead, founder of Start with Local, who brings extensive fundraising and partnership experience. Simeon co-founded and ran a national fundraising platform, both securing major funding to set up and run the programme, but also in its day to day work generated millions in funding through grants, corporate partnerships, and community contributions. He also managed reporting, impact assessment, and funder relations.
He continues to provide pro bono leadership in support of parks and green spaces in the Royal Borough of Kingston, where he’s worked strategically with the Mayor of London’ team, raising funds through grants, NCIL, sponsorship, and donations. He also has brought in huge value through in-kind contributions through volunteer recruitment and development. This work has led to the transformation of the largest park in Kingston into am accessible borough wide destination. He’s more recently launched a borough association supporting all friends groups across the borough. So Simeon really understands working locally.
Who we work with
We work with initiatives and organisations whose impact will be felt within a locality, or those with the potential to scale and benefit communities more widely. Whether it’s a neighbourhood project or a city wide programme, we’ll go on the journey with you.
When you work with us
• We combine strategic fundraising with hands on delivery.
• We ensure funding works for the community.
• We bring funders, partners, and residents together to co-design sustainable solutions.
• We add value through partnership and business development, strengthening long term resilience.
We’d be delighted to hear about your fundraising needs. Get in touch for an informal chat.