Tier 0
Fundability Essentials
For emerging organisations needing a basic credibility foundation. Work may include a clearer profile, core communication materials and a simple digital presence.
Argillic Impact Studio
Make your organisation easier to understand, assess and trust.
You may have meaningful work and strong community relationships, yet still struggle to present a clear institutional story. AIS helps NGOs, foundations, social enterprises and development organisations clarify their positioning, organise evidence and communicate their readiness to funders and partners.
A preliminary assessment with no obligation to proceed.
A specialist practice within Argillic Brands.
The problem
Good work can be difficult to assess when the evidence is scattered.
A prospective partner may encounter an outdated profile, inconsistent programme descriptions or impact claims without an accessible source. Those gaps make it harder to understand what your organisation does, how it works and what it can deliver. AIS connects your institutional story with the evidence and materials needed to explain it clearly.
Clear positioning: Explain your purpose, programmes and contribution without making stakeholders piece the story together.
Accessible evidence: Organise the reports, results and case material that support your claims, identifying what still needs to be established.
Consistent communication: Present accurate information across your website, profile, presentations and stakeholder materials.
Who it is for
For organisations preparing for a more demanding next stage.
AIS is relevant when your work has developed faster than your institutional presentation, evidence organisation or communication practices.
- Emerging organisations needing a credible basic profile and digital presence.
- Established NGOs preparing clearer materials for institutional funding opportunities.
- Growing organisations communicating across several programmes, partners or funding pathways.
- Networks and multi-country organisations needing consistent expression with local relevance.
If you only need a specific design or production deliverable, Argillic can scope that separately. The assessment helps identify the appropriate route.
What we help you build
A clearer story, supported by evidence your team can use.
The work is selected around the gap identified. Depending on the agreed scope, you may receive:
Institutional positioning: A clear organisational narrative, programme descriptions and messages for priority audiences.
Evidence architecture: An organised evidence library, a register of missing or incomplete evidence, case-study structures and reporting templates. Your team retains responsibility for the accuracy of source data.
Governance visibility: Clear leadership and board information, executive biographies and explanations of existing governance arrangements. Leadership and board decisions remain with your organisation.
Funder and partner materials: Institutional profiles, presentations, website content and evidence packs that help others understand your work and capacity.
Partnership readiness: Stakeholder mapping, programme portfolio communication and materials for relevant donor, government, corporate, foundation or consortium discussions.
Team adoption: Handover, practical guidance and agreed update routines so the work remains usable after delivery.
How it works
Assess. Diagnose. Build. Sustain.
1. Start with the free assessment. Complete the structured intake. We review your responses and may arrange a short clarification call. You receive a preliminary view of your stage, visible gaps and recommended next step.
2. Diagnose the gap where needed. A paid diagnostic examines the evidence and priorities in more detail. Its written proposal states the fee, scope, outputs and timeline before you decide to proceed.
3. Build what is required. We agree the implementation scope and develop the positioning, evidence structures and communication assets relevant to it.
4. Keep the work current. Your team receives agreed handover support. Where appropriate, a Trust Continuity Plan provides a defined rhythm for updating institutional information and communication.
Start the free assessmentFree assessment
Start with a preliminary view of where you stand.
Email assessment requestThe assessment is free. Request the screening link by email.
The written intake typically takes 20-30 minutes. A 15-minute clarification call may follow where useful. The preliminary result is normally delivered within five business days.
You receive:
- An indication of the pathway that may fit your current stage.
- Your top three visible gaps, explained in plain language.
- A recommended next step, which may be a resource, diagnostic or implementation proposal.
The result is based on the information you provide. It is not independent certification, a donor eligibility decision or a prediction of funding success.
Implementation pathways
Different stages require different interventions.
A pathway is recommended after assessment and, where needed, diagnosis. You do not need to select a package in advance. Implementation timelines begin after scope approval, required inputs and mobilisation; they exclude initial assessment, diagnostic and post-launch support.
Tier 1
Institutional Ready
For organisations with programme experience that need stronger institutional presentation and evidence organisation. Work may include a donor-facing profile, evidence gap register, case-study structure, governance communication and reusable templates.
Tier 2
Institutional Scale System
For organisations preparing for larger or more varied partnerships. Work may include programme portfolio communication, evidence structures, stakeholder materials and a map of relevant funding and partnership pathways.
Tier 3
Multi-Stakeholder Transformation
For complex networks and organisations communicating across programmes, locations and audiences. Work may include stakeholder trust mapping, brand architecture, messaging and communication governance.
Diagnostic and implementation fees are separate. Your proposal defines deliverables, responsibilities, timing and payment terms.
Rebranding where required
If your identity no longer fits, rebranding can be part of the work.
A readiness gap does not automatically require a new logo. Where assessment shows that the name, identity, positioning or programme architecture needs to change, Argillic can scope brand development or rebranding alongside the institutional work. This may include naming, visual identity, messaging, guidelines and agreed applications.
Rebranding is included only where explicitly agreed in the proposal.
Trust continuity
Keep your institutional information current.
Trust Continuity Plans provide an agreed rhythm for reviewing evidence, refreshing institutional materials and maintaining stakeholder communication. The right plan depends on your reporting cycles, team capacity and stakeholder needs.
Quarterly maintenance: Periodic evidence updates, institutional profile refreshes and donor-confidence briefs.
Continuous support: A more frequent evidence and stakeholder update rhythm for growing organisations.
Senior advisory: Defined support for leadership communication, board-ready progress snapshots and complex stakeholder needs.
Social-media management, daily content production, grant writing, campaigns, major publications, video production, website redesign and rebranding are separately scoped unless expressly included.
Ask about continuity supportRelevant experience
Built on Argillic's strategy and communication practice.
AIS draws on Argillic's work in positioning, institutional identity, stakeholder communication and implementation. Relevant experience includes development-sector brand and communication work with Tributary Initiative for Learning, alongside institutional and technical communication projects in other sectors.
These projects demonstrate delivery capability. They are not presented as evidence of NGO funding success.
Explore Argillic’s selected work →Specialist needs and boundaries
Clear scope. Responsible claims.
AIS works on institutional positioning, evidence organisation, communication and partnership readiness. It does not manage or control your finances, perform audits, certify financial controls or determine legal compliance. Where a gap requires financial, legal, audit, technical or climate expertise, we identify the need and recommend review by qualified specialists.
For climate-exposed programmes, AIS can help explain existing climate and resilience claims and identify evidence gaps. Technical validation and climate-finance eligibility require appropriate specialist assessment.
AIS does not guarantee funding, donor introductions, meetings or grant awards.
Questions, answered
Before you begin.
Understand the scope, investment and next step.
Is AIS a fundraising or grant-writing service?
The core engagement focuses on institutional readiness and communication. Grant proposal writing may be separately scoped where appropriate; it is not included automatically and does not guarantee an award.
Do we need to rebrand?
Only if the assessment and agreed scope establish that it is needed. Existing identity can be retained while positioning, evidence and materials are improved.
What does the free assessment tell us?
It provides a preliminary stage indication, visible gaps and a recommended next step based on the information you submit. A deeper paid diagnostic may be recommended.
How much does the work cost?
The assessment is free. Diagnostic, implementation and continuity fees are stated in separate written proposals or agreed plan terms. Scope and investment are approved before work begins.
Will AIS obtain funding for us?
No funding outcome is guaranteed. AIS helps make your organisation and its evidence clearer to assess; funders make their own decisions.
Who owns the work?
Ownership, permitted use and any third-party licences are defined in the service agreement. These terms are explained before you approve the engagement.
How do we share confidential evidence?
Do not submit sensitive documents through the initial enquiry or screening form. Confidentiality, access and transfer arrangements are agreed separately before detailed evidence is requested.
Can we commission a website, report or video separately?
Yes. Argillic can scope individual design and communication deliverables. AIS is useful when you need to diagnose and address a broader institutional positioning or evidence gap.
Your next step
Start with the gap that matters most.
Tell us where your organisation is today. We will help identify the appropriate next step before you commit to an implementation package.
contact@argillic.comAsk an AIS question
Tell us where you need clarity.
Share basic organisational information. We can discuss the right next step before a package is scoped.
Share basic organisational information only. Do not include confidential records, beneficiary information or sensitive personal data.