Funding HQ, one of Aotearoa’s fastest-growing e-learning fundraising platforms, is proud to announce the launch of FundED—a new subscription-based programme designed specifically for the education sector. Created in direct response to growing demand, FundED equips schools with the tools, training, and expert support they need to build long-term, sustainable fundraising capability.

The idea for FundED was sparked by a request from Nelson-based school equipment supplier, Learning Spaces Global. The company approached Funding HQ seeking a webinar to support the schools they work with, many of which were struggling to raise the essential funds they needed.

Heinz Woodman, Managing Director of Learning Spaces Global, says:

“I found Jenni so helpful in explaining all the important aspects of applying for grants to schools—many of which had previously been missing vital information or weren’t applying at all.”

What began as a one-off support session revealed a much wider need.

“It became clear that schools across the motu were facing the same challenges—limited time, stretched resources, and a lack of confidence around how to fundraise effectively,” says Funding HQ Founder and Director Jenni Giblin.

Through FundED, schools across Aotearoa can now access tailored online training, practical tools, and expert advice designed to demystify the fundraising process and empower school staff and boards to secure more funding—more often.

Since its launch in early 2023, Funding HQ has rapidly expanded its reach and impact across New Zealand’s charities in the social services, arts and culture, environmental and sports sectors providing fundraising capability to over 200 charities.

Founded by veteran fundraiser Jenni Giblin — who has secured over $280 million in funding for organisations over two decades — Funding HQ is on a mission to make fundraising more accessible, equitable, and effective across every sector.

“Schools across Aotearoa are doing their absolute best with limited resources. But traditional fundraising models are simply no longer fit for purpose as the fundraising landscape has changed dramatically over the past three years.  Schools need to have a compelling story of their impact, by approaching a diverse range of funders and being prepared to look after those funders that support them. 

“FundED is about giving schools and their communities the knowledge and systems to tap into the full range of funding options available.”

Giblin says many schools face persistent fundraising challenges.

“Despite recent government budget boosts, most additional funding is directed toward classroom support — leaving schools still struggling to fund essential areas such as IT equipment, playground upgrades, additional teaching support and extracurricular activities.”

FundED provides targeted support for schools through:

• Self-paced e-learning modules: Covering every aspect of fundraising, including central and local government grants, gaming trusts, business partnerships, private giving and philanthropy, and community fundraising.
• A national database of funding opportunities: Updated fortnightly and searchable by sector and region, the database provides access to over 1,000 verified funding opportunities from across Aotearoa.
• Practical fundraising tools and resources: Templates, case studies, planning tools, and expert guidance to help busy school leaders and parent committees build fundraising capability efficiently and effectively.

Giblin says the programme has been designed with the real-world pressures on teaching staff and volunteers in mind — delivering practical, easy-to-navigate strategies that create lasting fundraising impact.

“Many schools, particularly those serving underrepresented communities, simply don’t have the time or internal expertise to seek out and secure funding. FundED is designed to level the playing field so that schools can learn how to build fundraising capability in a way that is accessible and cost effective.”

For more information visit the platform https://www.funding-hq.com/