About

Dr Helen Monteiro, operating as Bright-Eyed Consulting, has successfully been raising funding for children and young people focused charities, schools, small businesses and others since 2013.

Projects have included raising sufficient capital to build a community hub, developing successful grants for new and existing services and one-off equipment costs but also securing core funding including salaries, venue hire, ‘office costs’ etc.

My story

I am passionate about ensuring children and young people fulfil their potential, whatever their circumstances, and have often found that the organisations supporting the most vulnerable, are charities operating in a restricted funding environment in need of help to ensure their survival or to develop and thrive. This has led me to move from a successful research career (with a specialism in impact evaluation) to supporting frontline delivery, enabling the continuation and growth of organisations well-placed to help others.

My approach

I mostly work with small to medium sized registered charities/CIO’s plus occasionally schools (possibly through the PTA), not-for-profits and councils but I’m happy to consider other organisational types. I currently work with organisations in London, Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire but have also supported a nationwide charity. I can provide referees, but due to the high number of requests for assistance, I ask that these are not contacted until after we have had a discussion about your funding needs and have agreed in principle to work together.

My fees are reasonable (based on an hourly rate) and for small to medium-sized bids often work out at around 5-7% of the total funds sought (less for larger) – although I can’t guarantee success. For charities with whom I have an ongoing relationship the percentage is lower, as I would have already gained a picture of your client group, needs and geographic area etc. I do not work on a commission basis.

My success rate is good (currently over 60% of applications I write are successful). This is in part because I only work with clients for whom I believe I can achieve success (this manages expectations, ensures time well spent on all sides and that you get value for money) but also due to my skill in matching funding needs to funding opportunities and delivering impactful bids.