Funding First Welcomes You
About Us
Your Funding Strategy Partner
At Funding First, we help you unlock the capital you need to deliver your vision.
Whether you're a startup, social enterprise, not-for-profit, or scaling company, we develop clear, actionable funding strategies that connect your ambition with the right capital sources.
We Know the Funding Landscape - So You Don't Have To
Navigating the world of grants, investors, and strategic finance can be overwhelming. We help you make sense of the complexity and take focused, confident steps toward your funding goals.​​
What We Do
1. Funding Strategy Development
We map out your funding journey - from short-term capital needs to long-term investment readiness. Our structured approach aligns your goals with appropriate funding types: grants, philanthropy, government programs, impact investment, debt or equity.
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2. Grant Identification & Application Support
We identify relevant grant opportunities and help you position your project or business for success. Our team can write or support your application, ensuring clarity, compliance, and compelling impact narratives.
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3. Business Model & Financial Strategy Support
We assist in strengthening your commercial model and articulating your value to funders and investors. Whether you're refining a pitch deck or building a sustainable pricing model, we provide clear financial thinking to back your mission.
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4. Capital sourcing for Growth
We connect you with networks of investors, intermediaries, and philanthropic funders suited to your stage and sector - helping you move from concept to capital.
Ways We Help
The Focus of Our Efforts
1. The Importance of Why
Your organisation's ability to articulate its mission, vision and values, is essential to achieving your dream. Your dream and project needs pictures and words!
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With over 50 years experience in the development of mission statements, vision statements and defining organisational values, our team will ensure that you are well positioned to effectively communicate your why, how and what to your specific audience.
2. Research and Connection
Connecting your vision, passion and project with the funding opportunities that exist, requires extensive research. Collaborative research and connection is the core value proposition of Funding First.
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Our role is to help connect your organisation with the appropriate government or private funding group.
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Let us do the reseach and provide you with funding channels suited to you.
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Once you have decided on the organisation with whom you want to partner, we will facilitate the connection and work alongside you to help you pitch your vision.
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3. Pitch Development
Let our team of experienced pitch development experts help you craft a compelling and effective concept presentation. We specialise in creating custom pitches tailored to your specific needs.
Our approach is collaborative and iterative, ensuring that your pitch resonates with your target audience and delivers your message with clarity and impact.
Don't let a mediocre pitch hold you back - contact us today to take your pitch to the next level.
4. Bringing Your Vision to Life
Remember, bringing your vision to life is a journey, not a destination. It requires perseverance, patience, and a willingness to learn and grow. With the right mindset and approach, you can turn your vision into a reality.
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It takes the right people and partner organisations to see a vision fulfilled. With contacts across the globe, from individuals with expertise through to large multi-faceted corporations, we will help connect you with the right partners to implement your plans successfully.
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We help bring the necessary team members to your table.
Our Values
Click on the image to reveal the value
Fairness
Innovation
Respect
Sustainability
Teamwork
Our Team
OUR TEAM
We can confidently connect you with the right funding source. The Funding First team has successfully raised hundreds of millions for projects across the world, in both the for profit and not for profit sectors. Our expertise in funding extends to a range of different areas, including but not limited to:
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High Net Worth (HNW) personal philanthropy
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Family foundation offices
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Government grant and loan funding
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Traditional corporate, backing and institutional finance
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WHY CHOSE FUNDING FIRST?
We combine strategic clarity with hands-on support. Our team brings experience across finance, grants, social impact, commercialisation, and government. We don't just write applications - we help you think through your funding model to ensure long-term success.
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EVERYONE IS WELCOME
We work to create and maintain environments that are welcoming, supportive, and equitable for all individuals. We take responsibility for promoting fairness and respect, as well as ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to succeed. We engage consulting support to help us develop and implement policies and programs, providing training and education, and addressing concerns related to our environment or practices.
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OUR CEO
Phil's background is in both the corporate sphere and the not-for-profit sector. Having work in large corporations, Phil followed the call to immerse himself in the not-for-profit world, working with one of the world's largest microfinance organisations as National Director of Partnerships and Donor Relations. He also leads a large food security charity in Australia. In these roles, his responsibilities included:
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Leading the national partnerships team and supporting the international teams, to develop and implement a comprehensive donor acquisition and retention strategy to meet funding goals.
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Identifying and researching prospective funding opportunities, including individuals, corporations, and foundations, as well as developing tailored engagement plans.
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Develop and maintain relationships with current funding streams, ensuring effective communication, recognition, and stewardship.
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Develop and execute funding events and campaigns, leveraging relationships with donors and volunteers.
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Work collaboratively with program staff to develop compelling fundraising proposals and reports.
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Provide regular analysis and reporting on fundraising progress to senior leadership and the Board of Directors.
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Represent the organisation at external events and conferences, promoting the mission and vision to stakeholders.
In this role, Phil had the privilege of spending time with HNW philanthropists, government and those in developing nations who were the recipients of the philanthropic giving.
Included in his personal philosophy of life, Phil serves in the Australian Army Reserves as a Chaplain. In this role, Phil supports the ongoing wellbeing of soldiers and their families.
Phil Linden
CEO
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