Rachel Ireland Consultancy | Client Services

Consultancy

Designed for organisations needing in-depth, collaborative support, consultancy involves working closely with you to achieve your goals.

I specialise in supporting charities, social enterprises, and community groups across three key areas:

Launch

Get your organisation off to a strong start. This includes defining your aims and objectives, choosing the right structure, registering your organisation, and developing a comprehensive business plan.

Fund

Secure the resources you need to thrive. I’ll help you identify funding priorities, research potential funders, build a compelling case for support, and strengthen your grant applications.

Sustain

Plan for long-term success. Together, we’ll focus on diversifying income streams, analysing your position in the sector, creating a fundraising strategy, and developing systems for reporting and evaluation.

All consultancy work is quoted in advance, based on a day rate, and support is available on an ongoing basis (a set number of days per month) or for a specific project (a fixed number of days to complete a piece of work).

Contact me for more information on my fees and current availability, or to arrange a no-obligation introductory call.

Review Service

Expert feedback on your funding applications, business plans, or key registration documents. Choose the level of support that fits your needs:

Standard Review

For documents up to 6 pages (small grant applications up to £20,000, charity registration documents, CIC 36 forms, or short business plans).

Comprehensive Review

For documents up to 20 pages (detailed business plans, fundraising strategies, or larger grant applications).

Includes written feedback and support via email, phone, or video call as appropriate.

Book your review here.

Experience

I started my career in West Yorkshire Police; editing videos, managing projects and building partnerships. I then moved into the third sector, where I have now worked for over 18 years. I started at The Prince’s Trust working my way up to Head of Fundraising. I then spent the next ten years working as a consultant to charities of all sizes right across the UK, from Embrace, Nacro, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, Women’s Sport Trust, Home-Start, Northorpe Hall, The New School, Unity House, Working Chance, ESCAYP, Magistrates Association & Solve-It to name just a few. Plus, I have delivered training workshops and 1-1 mentoring to more than 400 grassroots organisations and individuals over the last five years, largely through my partnership with Kirklees TSL.

Connect with me on LinkedIn.

Michael Devlin, Chief Executive, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust

"Rachel really helped to take the pressure off pulling together our HLF bid. She understood our project quickly and ensured that our bid linked clearly with the lottery’s new priorities. She was a joy to work with and kept us on track for our submission date. We were delighted to secure £250K of income and the project has started well, with multiple partners all understanding their roles, outputs and objectives."

Michael Pitchford, Chief Executive, Third Sector Leaders Kirklees

“I’ve really enjoyed working with you and have hugely valued the expertise and skills you bring for the benefit of the sector.”

Julie Child, Chief Executive, Healthcare Workers' Foundation

"I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Rachel for the last two years. She really knows her stuff! Rachel’s applications are methodical and thorough - leaving no stone unturned in her pursuit of funds - as well as ensuring that trusts and foundations are thoroughly researched to give the strongest possible chance of success. Not only that, her knowledge of the sector and the world of small charities is second to none and offers invaluable additional support. I genuinely can’t speak highly enough of her."

Reflect, plan, and take action to make a positive impact in your life and work.