Tharun Bhana

Good day, I am a Development Studies graduate (Distinction) with hands-on fundraising experience across prospect research, proposal and donor-report writing, and donor-database management. I enjoy the process of identifying aligned funders and turning research and data into clear, compelling cases for support. I hope to in my career bring a genuine, well-grounded commitment and a track record of reliable support to the nonprofit sector.

Part-time Admin and Fundraising Support at Funding Solutions (2022-03 – 2026-03)

Ongoing, alongside undergraduate and Honours studies. I have left to pursue greater experience.

• Administration — invoicing, scheduling meetings, writing up minutes.
• Prospect research — identified and shortlisted and aligned funders for non-profit clients through primary and secondary research.
• Donor database management — maintained and updated donor records to support ongoing funder relationships and reporting cycles.
• Proposal & report writing — proofread, edited and contributed to funding proposals and donor reports submitted to funders.
• Logistics — couriering and delivery of documentation.

Volunteer Intern at Tshikululu Social Investments (2024-10 – 2024-11)

Short-term, project-based placement

• Prospect research — conducted comparative secondary research across similar educational projects to support strategic decision-making.
• Monitoring & evaluation — reviewed and visualised programme data to track outcomes and support reporting to funders.
• Report writing — produced a research report synthesising findings for internal use by the trust.
• Logistical support — supported the Epoch and Optima Trust.

BSocSci (Hons) in Development Studies – University of Pretoria (2023-02 – 2023-12)

BSocSci in Industrial Sociology and Labour Studies – University of Pretoria (2020-02 – 2022-12)