Unlock Funding & Fast-Track Your Impact: How One Conversation Can Change Everything

As a changemaker, business owner, or leader with a vision, you know what’s possible when passion meets purpose. But there’s often one major hurdle standing in the way: funding.

So many organisations and businesses have the drive, the solutions, and the potential to make a real impact—but without financial resources, progress stalls. What if the missing piece isn’t just funding, but the right conversation that leads you to it?

My business community, Your Time Matters, has provided me with an avenue to connect with people and find pathways to support others to find the solutions they need. Through conversations that count, I’ve seen firsthand how the right connections at the right time can unlock incredible opportunities—including the financial backing to influence change and bring ideas to life.

You may recall our involvement with the Start Foundation and Bicycles for Humanity?

One of my conversations over the past year, has been with Liz Fleming, a highly regarded Grants Coach, Strategist, and Chartered Accountant. Liz is the founder of The Grants Club and has helped countless businesses secure funding that drives growth, innovation, and impact. With over 15 years of experience in corporate finance—particularly in Australia’s energy sector—Liz understands both the complexities of grant funding and how to simplify the process for time-poor business owners.

She knows what it takes to get grant-ready, write compelling applications, and secure funding—and with an 85% success rate, her strategic approach is proven to work.

But it’s not just businesses that face funding challenges—nonprofit organisations striving to create social impact also struggle to secure the resources they need to keep their initiatives alive.

The Funding Struggles of Purpose-Driven Organisations

Over the years, my husband and me have had many powerful conversations with organisations like Fitted for Work and Chatty Café Australia, gaining insight into the immense pressure they face in securing financial support.

Fitted for Work: Breaking Barriers to Employment

For women seeking employment—particularly those from diverse or international backgrounds—the biggest challenge isn’t always their skills, but their lack of a network. Many of these women arrive in Australia highly qualified, yet struggle to secure jobs that match their experience simply because they don’t have the right connections.

Through our ongoing partnership with Fitted for Work (FFW), YTM helps open doors by connecting their team with individuals and businesses that can offer support, mentorship, and employment opportunities. My husband , and business mentor, Leigh Powell, has been a dedicated mentor for Fitted for Work for many, many years , actively works to bridge these gaps, while I have engaged Managing Director, Donna de Zwart, through my podcast and YTM events to raise awareness of the incredible work they do.

But like many nonprofits, FFW relies on funding to expand their programs and reach more women in need. In 2021 and 2022, YTM Ripple contributed funding towards FFW’s mentoring programs, yet the demand for their services continues to grow. Without ongoing financial support, many of the women they serve remain locked out of opportunities that could change their lives.

Chatty Café: Combating Loneliness, One Conversation at a Time

Alongside FFW, we also support Chatty Café Australia, a movement led by Managing Director Glenys Reid to combat social isolation. This initiative creates welcoming spaces for people to gather, chat, and form meaningful connections—something many of us take for granted, yet for others, can be life-changing.

Chatty Café is an incredible example of how one conversation can make all the difference. Whether it’s an elderly person who has lost their social circle, a new parent craving adult interaction, or someone simply needing a friendly face to talk to, these spaces foster inclusion and community.

However, sustaining and growing the Chatty Café network requires financial support. The pressure to secure funding is constant, limiting the ability to expand to new locations and reach more people.

The Hidden Economy of Grants: Are You Missing Out?

Liz has shared with me that every year, billions of dollars in grants go unclaimed simply because people don’t know where to look, how to apply, or even that they’re eligible. The funding exists—you just need the right guidance to access it.

If you’ve ever thought…
✔ Where do I even start with grants?
✔ How do I make my business or organisation “grant-ready”?
✔ What do funders look for in a successful application?

…you’re not alone. These are the very questions that keep business owners and changemakers awake at night. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure it out alone. Connecting with the right people, and knowing how to access, ask and answer questions, can make all the difference.

Liz will be sharing her expertise at an upcoming online session on the 12th February, if you would like to join us. It will be an opportunity and a conversation that might fill the gaps you have.

Stop Leaving Money on the Table: How to Get Grant-Ready

💡 Discover the Grants That Fit Your Vision
Learn about the different types of funding available—government, corporate, and nonprofit—and how to identify opportunities that align with your goals.

💡 Set Yourself Up for Success
Preparation is key. Liz Fleming helps businesses become “grant-ready” by ensuring they have the right financial documentation, project plans, and strategic positioning in place before they apply.

💡 Craft a Winning Application
Funders want to see not just a great idea, but a clear impact strategy. Liz’s expertise in storytelling, budgeting, and aligning applications with funding priorities helps businesses and organisations stand out and increase their chances of success.

💡 Save Time & Reduce Stress
One of the biggest reasons businesses and nonprofits miss out on funding? Tight deadlines and overwhelming processes. Liz has a 100% track record for on-time submissions—helping clients navigate the system with confidence and ease.

Conversations That Lead to Action & Impact

At YTM, we don’t just talk about making a difference—we take action. By leveraging our network, facilitating conversations, and connecting businesses and nonprofits with potential supporters, sponsors, and funding pathways, we help bridge the gap between vision and reality.

When organisations like Fitted for Work and Chatty Café struggle with funding, it’s not just their initiatives that suffer—it’s the people they serve. That’s why we believe that building strong networks and accessing financial resources go hand in hand.

The question is: Are you ready to have the conversation that could change everything for you?

Let’s start that conversation today.

I’d like to offer you a FREE TICKET to the upcoming workshop session with Liz Fleming on 12th February, 2025. If you are interested, complete the form HERE and I will send you the details.

Drop a comment, share your experiences, or reach out—because the success you’re seeking really is just one conversation away.

Hello, I’m Kerryn Powell, The Network Catalyst and founder of Your Time Matters.

With a passion for helping business owners build genuine relationships and grow with purpose, I’m here to support you in reshaping your conversations and navigating the challenges of business and achieving your "why."

Whether you need strategies to strengthen your network, stay accountable, or unlock new opportunities, I can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

It starts with a conversation with me , so let’s connect and explore how we can accelerate your success together. Reach out to start a conversation that matters.