Understanding Applicants’ Finances training workshop – Introduction

Understanding applicants finances  – introduction 10am to 1pm

This Yorkshire Funders’ training workshop run by WYCAS has been designed for grantmaking staff and trustees who are tasked with reviewing applicants’ accounts and finances as part of their grant assessment process. This is suitable for anyone without a finance or accounting background and who is new to their role, as well as those who want a refresher on understanding the essential financial elements of an application and the grant seeking organisation.

Are you a trustee or staff member of a grantmaking organisation tasked with assessing applicants’ financial information but feel unsure about the details?

Whether you’re new to the role or looking to refresh your understanding, this interactive training workshop, hosted by WYCAS and designed specifically for Yorkshire Funders, will equip you with the tools and confidence to navigate the financial side of grantmaking.

This session is ideal for those without a background in finance or accounting who want to better understand the financial health and sustainability of the organisations seeking grants. We are offering a more in-depth session on 19 March aimed at grantmakers familiar with reading applicants accounts and who want to advance their understanding and delve into more complex situations. Details of this course here.

What you’ll learn on this workshop:

How to review applicants’ accounts, focussing on registered charities, or voluntary groups

Key financial elements to focus on, common red flags, and what they mean for your grant decisions.

A clear understanding of balance sheets, income and expenditure documents, and cashflow forecasts.

The difference between restricted and unrestricted reserves—and why it matters.

Through practical examples and expert guidance, you’ll gain valuable insights to help you make informed, confident, and impactful grantmaking decisions. Join us to demystify financial assessments and bring a sharper focus to your role in supporting organisations that make a difference!

The session will be a mixture of information, presentations, exercises, talking, listening, and learning from each other, so that you can become more confident in understanding applicants’ financial information and accounts.

Book on the course here 

The course is held at Quilter Cheviot offices in central Leeds, only 5 minutes walk from Leeds train station.

Booking details

1. For 2025, all bookings must be made via Eventbrite and if possible, please pay by credit card, but if you do need an invoice to pay by BACS or cheque, you will see these payment options listed on Eventbrite. We will then send you an invoice directly to the name and email address listed on Eventbrite.
2. It is a maximum of two people per organisation at each training workshop.
3. The cost is £50.00 per person if you or your organisation is a Yorkshire Funders’ member and £75.00 for non-members. This includes tea, coffee, biscuits and a sandwich lunch which will take place at 1pm after the formal course ends.
4. In order for this session to be as informative and interactive as possible, we can only offer 12 places for each course.

We will be holding more of these popular training events in 2025. If you can’t make the 26th  or can’t get a place, don’t despair. Contact Jan (jan@yorkshirefunders.org.uk and you can be put on a waiting list.

Many thanks to Quilter Cheviot who have provided a meeting room for the sessions. Quilter Cheviot is a discretionary investment management services for anyone seeking tailored wealth management. Their services are for private clients, charities, trustees, and professional partners with straightforward or more complex needs.