About us
Calm, practical support for organisations rooted in their communities.
We help charities, community groups, schools and sports clubs make sense of funding — plainly, honestly and without pressure. If funding feels like a maze, we're the people you can talk it through with.
Our story
We started Oak because we kept seeing the same problem.
Organisation after organisation — delivering brilliant work in their communities — stretched thin. Staff and volunteers juggling front-line delivery, governance, safeguarding, facilities, reporting and everything in between. Funding applications squeezed into evenings and weekends.
Oak Consultancy was set up to offer a different kind of support: practical, honest and tailored to the realities of smaller organisations — not written assuming there's a dedicated fundraising team.
"We kept seeing brilliant work squeezed into the margins of the day just to keep the lights on. Oak exists so organisations can breathe, plan and grow without burning out."
The team
Two people. Real experience. No layers.
Columba
Funding strategy, bid writing & tenders
Columba leads on funding strategy, bid writing and tender support. With experience working alongside a wide range of community and voluntary organisations, he understands both the pressures on small teams and the expectations of funders and commissioners.
If you're wrestling with big funding decisions or a major tender, you'll probably talk to Columba first.
Karen
Practical planning & governance support
Karen focuses on practical planning, governance support and helping organisations translate their ideas into clear, fundable projects. She's particularly experienced supporting schools, PTAs and community groups to access funding for local priorities.
If you're trying to turn a mix of ideas into a realistic plan, Karen is often your best first call.
How we work
The things people notice most when they work with us.
Plain language
We explain processes and funding requirements in clear terms, so you always know what's happening and can explain it to your board or committee.
Honest advice
If something isn't realistic, or a fund isn't a good fit, we'll say so. We'd rather protect your time and energy than chase every opportunity on paper.
Realistic plans
We work with the time and capacity you actually have. Plans are designed to be lived with, not just presented once and then forgotten.
Long-term thinking
We help you build a pipeline, not just chase one-off pots. The aim is to give your organisation a steadier footing over time.
Partnership
Your knowledge of your community combined with our experience of funding and planning is what makes the work effective. We build from there, together.
Integrity
We only encourage bids and tenders that feel appropriate and realistic for your organisation — even when that means advising against an opportunity.
What organisations say
After working with Oak.
"The panic has gone out of funding for us. We know what we're working towards and what's realistic for our team."
"Oak helped us translate what we do with young people into language that made sense to funders — without losing what makes it special."
"They don't just tell you what you want to hear. The honest, calm advice has been invaluable for our board."
Recognise your organisation in this page?
If the pressures we've described feel familiar, a short call can help us work out whether Oak is the right fit and what a sensible starting point looks like.
Book a free conversation