Kemar Walford

Kemar Walford specialises in organisational development, with a focus on fundraising from trusts and foundations. Working as a professional fundraising consultant for the last six years, but with 15-plus years of non-profit sector experience. Helping grassroots to medium-sized charities, social enterprises and community groups secure over £4 million over the last six years for various causes covering community, social welfare, offenders, health, social isolation, domestic abuse, and youth. Having spent ten years at the UK's biggest funder (the National Lottery Community Fund, formerly Big Lottery Fund) undertaking assessment, grant management, programme development and local support in the West Midlands and London.  

Kemar is also the former chair of Black Fundraisers UK at the Chartered Institute of Fundraisers (CIOF). A special interest group of the CIOF established to support black and ethnic minority fundraisers in the UK. He is also a trainer and consultant on the Avocado+ programme since its inception, a programme developed from the Avocado programme originally delivered through BF-UK, now managed by Money4you.  

A guest speaker for podcasts, networking and fundraising-focused events. These have included the CIOF's annual conference, the BAME online fundraising conference and First Fridays hosted by the Small Charities Coalition and Third Sector podcast. Kemar is a project manager and trainer for Aston-Mansfield, supporting local groups to build their all-around capacity through the Fitter Finance programme. He also spent two years as a volunteer organisational mentor for Sported, the Olympic legacy organisation for grassroots community sports.  

In January 2017, Kemar formally established his fundraising consultancy, KN Walford Consultancy Ltd, which helps non-profit organisations thrive, not just survive, by developing and growing their fundraising activities. Through KNWC, he offers professional advice and guidance in business planning, fundraising strategies, project development and design, prospect research, funding applications, and grant management.