Meet the Minds Behind Funds Online – Jessica Threlfall

An inside look at the research behind Funds Online

Did you know that all of the information on Funds Online is carefully sourced, gathered, quality-checked and written by our small team of expert researchers?

In this interview series, DSC’s Researchers share more about their daily work, the challenges and rewards of funding research, and their expert tips to get the most from Funds Online. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people and processes that support our subscribers.

In our second interview, we speak to Jessica Threlfall, Research Coordinator at DSC.

1. What’s the biggest challenge when it comes to working on Funds Online?

I would say the biggest challenge is deciding what information will be the most valuable for our subscribers. It’s important to strike a balance between too little and too much information. Some funders share very little about their work, making it difficult to know what they will or won’t support. Others provide so much information that it can be overwhelming.

This means we often have to sift through a huge volume of accounts, annual reports, and websites to find the most relevant details and condense them into a clear, easy-to-navigate record. It’s a very time-consuming process, but one we approach thoughtfully, because we recognise how important this information is for our subscribers.

2. What’s your top tip for subscribers?

My top tip would be to keep an eye on newly registered trusts! You never know which will grow into a major grant-maker, and it can be incredibly beneficial to establish a relationship with a funder in its formative years. New trusts often have limited information, and not all of them start to make grants soon (or at all), so we prioritise including those we believe show strong potential to make grants.

The great thing about Funds Online is that new opportunities are being added all the time. In our Subscriber Insider newsletter, we include a monthly roundup of new trusts to watch, to help our subscribers spot new opportunities early.

3. What is your favourite feature on Funds Online and why

My favourite feature on Funds Online is the search filters. They make it so much easier to narrow down a search and find exactly what you are looking for. You can filter by cause, location, funding type, and beneficiary characteristics, which helps refine results to match specific needs. For fundraisers who are often short on time, that level of detail can be so valuable. Instead of spending hours trawling through hundreds of funders, Funds Online makes it quick and easy to find relevant opportunities.

4. What qualities make a good funder?

To me, a good funder is one that genuinely cares about the work they support and takes the time to understand the challenges their beneficiaries face. They are flexible and don’t make organisations jump through unnecessary hoops just to meet funding requirements.

I also think clarity and transparency are really important. When funders are clear about what they do and do not fund, it helps capacity-strapped charities focus their energy where it really matters.

Finally, I really appreciate funders who keep their application processes simple and efficient, since many organisations have limited time and resources. Together, these qualities are the hallmarks of a good funder and help to improve access to funding for charities that experience the greatest barriers in finding support.

5. Where can we find you when you’re not at your desk researching funders?

Probably walking in the woods or on the beach! I love spending time in nature and find it really necessary to get some ‘offline’ time, especially after a busy day of research. Either that or at home experimenting with a new craft or hobby. And if we’re being honest, indulging in the occasional YouTube rabbit hole, because who doesn’t?