VISION / MISSION HERE
About Us
We’re a small team of professional grant writers and researchers here to find and secure the funds your organisation needs to achieve its goals.
Between us, you have three decades of experience in academia, non-profits, mental health services, law and journalism and experience of successfully securing and managing grants from the US federal agencies, the EU, large and small foundations and corporate giving programmes.
Blackbird Consulting was founded in 2025 in response to the profound transformations taking place in communities, organisations and institutions across the globe. At a time of increasing global tension and need, the resources available to sustain the essentials of life and wellbeing are diminishing.
Here at Blackbird we see this transformation as a call to assist our clients and partners to grow and thrive in an increasingly challenging and competitive environment.
We provide high-quality, bespoke grant research and writing services to enable our clients to maximise their potential, and then some.
We are fully aware that securing funding for programmes and projects is much more than simply research, strategy and grant writing. It is about intimately knowing what drives you and your passions for what you do. Our philosophy is rooted in finding and communicating the common set of values we share with our clients and partners.
While the ongoing global transformation can seem daunting at times, we see it is as an exciting opportunity. We take on your challenges with you. Through innovation and creativity we will offer you tailored solutions to successfully navigate the shifting terrain. We urge you to join with us as we enter this new era of infinite potential and possibility. Together we can achieve our mutual goals and objectives in new exciting and sustainable ways.
The Team
Michael Sullivan
Michael is a seasoned professional grant writer with more than two decades of successfully securing funding from US federal agencies, large foundations and cultural bodies under his belt.
Michael has a PhD in Politics and International Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London, as well as BA and MA degrees in International Politics and Development from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.
His key skills include meticulous research, comfort in navigating the complexities of grant applications and his ability to establish and maintain strong donor relationships. He is also our strongman when it comes to organisational programme development and sustainability.
Writing is his passion and he’s an accomplished author with two books and numerous contributed chapters in peer-reviewed works to his name.
Originally from the home of the Beatles, Liverpool, Michael has studied, travelled and worked in many diverse settings, including Latin America, Europe, Southeast Asia, India, China, Australia and the United States.
John Bransfield
Nicky Sullivan
Nicky is a Certifed Grant Writer and Funding Strategist with a background in law, journalism and the non-profit sector. Her varied but related experiences allowed her to develop a unique set of skills that turn out to be key for writing great grant applications and she has collaborated on successful proposals to the EU and established foundations.
Nicky has a Master’s in International Law and Human Rights Law from Trinity College Dublin and in Intellectual Property Law from Queen Mary University of London. She also holds Postgraduate Diplomas in Journalism and in Gastronomy & Food Studies.
Her key skills lie in her ability to build a compelling case and structure stories for the greatest impact.
Originally from Ireland, Nicky considers herself incredibly fortunate to have been able to live and work all over the world, including England, Spain, Luxembourg, India, Cambodia and, now, in Southwest France. She’s also a certified yoga teacher.