profile-img

Michael Kiragu

An active member of the Nonprofit Builder consultant platform since 27, February 2025

With over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector, I help organizations win grants using the RISERS Method, a comprehensive approach to grant fundraising.

Kenya

Joined on

Expertises

Fundraising

Languages

English
Swahili

Contextual Experience

Children and Youth
Education
Health
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
Maternal and Newborn Health
Primary Health Care and Public Health

Geographical Experience

Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, South Africa, Georgia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Africa

About

What I do:
Through tailor-made consultancy and training services, I show nonprofit organizations how to:
➡ write outstanding winning grant proposals & increase grant funding;
➡ identify prospective funders; confidently approach & engage donors;
➡ build strong trust-based relationships with donors; 
➡ use storytelling for funding appeal and communicate impact

Who I work with:
I partner with non-profit executive directors, fundraising professionals & other leaders in non-profit organizations

Why it works:
When you partner with me you get the most efficient, effective & affordable grant fundraising solutions that non-profits are looking for right now

What makes me different:
My signature RISERS method of grant fundraising is not based on theory but on approaches that I have used to raise millions of dollars for nonprofits

What you gain by working with me:

You will be able to:

  • Identify your biggest challenges and overcome them.
  • Create a clear, practical fundraising strategy that fits your resources.
  • Write grant proposals that stand out.
  • Find the right donors and grants for your organization.
  • Approach prospective funders with ease and authenticity.
  • Build strong relationships with current and potential funders.
  • Use storytelling to showcase your impact effectively.

 

 

What others say:

"I have known Dr. Kiragu since our days in undergrad at the University of Nairobi and I have been closely monitoring his career progression since it's closely linked to mine - public health. However, it's only last year that I got to know about his new acquired skills of supporting capacity of organizations in improving skills in grant writing and fundraising after attending one of his online sessions. This year, while at Marie Stopes Kenya (MSK), we engaged Dr. Micheal Kiragu to support the core MSK team involved in fundraising activities like donor scoping, proposal and report writing skills. We were amazed by his skills in delivering the content, he kept us engaged, challenged our traditional approaches in fundraising and shared additional new insights on the donor landscape. Doc is quite personable, all rounded and a pleasure to work with. He has a positive attitude and was willing to go an extra mile to make sure we were all engaged and on the same understanding, including working late into the night. I highly recommend Michael with full confidence." ~ Dr Job Makoyo ~Country Director ~ Jacaranda Health, Kenya

 

"I highly recommend Michael as a go-to expert for non-profit professionals seeking to enhance their grant writing skills. Through their training sessions, I've gained invaluable insights into crafting standout grant proposals that secure funding. Michael employs a unique formula the RISERS Method that provides a strategic and effective approach, making the complex process of grant writing more accessible. Engaging, knowledgeable, and results-driven, Michael is a key resource for those looking to elevate their grant writing abilities in the non-profit sector." Amila Geo ~  Georgia

 

Within the 2 years that I have worked with Kiragu, we have received approximately USD 600,000 in funding. Most importantly to us, Kiragu always indicates the practical applications his work has for our organization and future grant funding. He is a perceptive professional as he knows how to deliver what is needed at the right time. He is diligent with strong communication skills, attributes that are very useful in his grant writing career.Samuel Munyuwiny, Executive Director, African Institute for Children Studies



“The Stoke Association of Kenya is pleased to have been working with Michael for the last 7 months. Over this period, he has provided our team with astute technical support for grant writing. With his support, we have clarified our organizational strategy and strengthened our financial and technical capacity, that now clearly demonstrate investment-worthiness. We are now well on our way to being a well-funded non-governmental organization with strong systems..I recommend Dr Kiragu without reservation. I wish you all the best in your grant application.Dr Evans Nyambega, Executive Director, Stroke Association of Kenya

 

"After several years of grant writing, I still struggled to get donors. But after being trained on the RISERS model by Dr. Kiragu through his Bell Consultants, I understood where I used to go wrong and turned around my writing for both non-profit and consultancy proposals enabling me to get funded and consultancies respectively . I highly recommend Dr. Kiragu's training that will help you or your non-profit learn how to; scout for donors aligned to your work as opposed to waiting for the calls for funding, write articulately, and ensure that your websites clearly articulate what is required by most donors, among others." ~ Joan Rakuomi ~

 

"Michael is part of the "top-cream" in terms of partnership building and resource mobilization not just in Kenya but globally. As a seasoned trainer, he skillfully weaves together theories and practice using relevant day to day examples and in the process grows resource mobilization amateurs into professionals. As a beneficiary of his masterclasses, under Bell Consultants, I feel supported and accorded personalized attention to become better and better." ~ Martha Sunda ~ Executive Director, Childline Kenya

 

"I thoroughly enjoyed attending Dr. Michael Kiragu's masterclasses on grant fundraising. His passion and commitment were evident throughout. The classes were thoughtfully designed and full of insight. I strongly recommend Bell Consultants' services for nonprofit organizations." ~ Dr Kimberly Kariuki, Fundraising Manager, Mental 360

 

"I had challenges with writing grant proposals but that was before I attended Dr. Michael Kiragu’s proposal writing class. Dr. Kiragu adeptness at delivering the proposal writing training content will make anyone leave his class feeling like a grant proposal writing expert. This is further complimented by his past-experience working in both international and local non-profit organizations. I unequivocally recommend Dr. Michael Kiragu for training or consultancy to the non-profit organizations or individuals who are struggling with securing grant funding because the problem lies in writing principally." ~ David Kowegi,  

 

"It’s my pleasure to strongly recommend Dr. Michael Kiragu as a Grant Fundraising Trainer and Consultant. I’m May Maloba, CEO at Global Health Innovation. I have 20 years of experience working in healthcare and nonprofit organizations. Michael is one individual who uniquely stands out in his work focus, training concepts, and follow-through. By the end of the course, my employee had acquired extensive fundraising skills for our organization. It’s not just his training skills that impress me. Michael was a joy to interact with because of his positive attitude and ability to never give up on my team. His commitment and empathy were also necessary and valued, not just by myself but also by my team. I am absolutely confident that Michael is a great fit for the training you need. Not only can he bring the skills and experience you're looking for in your organization, but he can also quickly become an asset and help both your institution and your employees grow." ~ Dr May Maloba, Chief Executive Director, GHI - Global Health Innovations

 

"I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Kiragu as an associate and mentee, and he also served as a technical advisor to a program we both worked for, during our time together at LVCT Health . As a fundraising expert and consultant, Dr. Kiragu brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. He is an intelligent, social, and supportive individual who always goes above and beyond to help his clients succeed. I highly recommend Dr. Kiragu for anyone looking for top-notch fundraising consulting services." ~ Martin Muthare, Independent Consultant | Grant Proposals, Health Programs.

 

"I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing and working with Dr. Michael Kiragu for over two years, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. As a highly skilled grant writer and trainer, he has proven to be an invaluable asset to numerous nonprofit organizations in securing much-needed funding for their various causes. Dr. Kiragu's exceptional knowledge of the grant writing process and his ability to communicate complex concepts in a digestible manner has been a game-changer for many nonprofits. His training sessions are not only informative, but also engaging and interactive, thanks to his charismatic personality and genuine passion for creating positive change. He is not just a trainer, but a mentor who truly invests in the success of the organizations he works with. One of Dr. Kiragu's most impressive qualities is his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by nonprofits make him an extraordinary ally. His trainings not only empower organizations with the tools they need to write effective grant proposals, but also inspire them to strive for excellence and make a real difference in their communities. In addition to being an accomplished trainer, Dr. Kiragu is a change maker. His dedication to the betterment of society and his unwavering commitment to helping nonprofits achieve their goals is nothing short of inspiring. I have seen firsthand how his guidance has transformed the way organizations approach grant writing, resulting in increased funding and greater impact on the lives of those they serve. In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Michael Kiragu to any nonprofit organization seeking to improve their grant writing skills and secure funding for their cause. He is a true professional, a charismatic leader, and an invaluable resource for the nonprofit sector." Michael Kimanzi, Founder and CEO, Africads Agency-Certified Google Ads Grants Experts