Hari Srinivas
Network, network, network!
Spread the word - Let people know about your organization and your goals.
Talk to your elected officials - MPs, councilors and others . Write letters to explain your group, and invite them to come see the area you are concerned with.
Get letters of support. A letter of support from a politician will put your sponsor's mind at ease when it is time to hand over the money.
Establish relationships with other groups that can help you, depending on the activity you are planning. If you are planting trees or naturalising a municipal park, maybe the local gardeners club or a scouts group can help.
Find out about awards, and get yourself nominated for anything relevant. A few plaques will make your group look competent and well-established!
Release press statements to the local newspaper. If you don't have anything newsworthy to tell them, invent some news - arrange a tour of your site or give a talk to your local high school (and don't forget to invite your elected officials to these too).
Find other ways to get your information spread around. Most local radio, TV or cable stations have time slots set aside for community events, and are looking for ways to fill them.
Create a binder with press clippings and a video with interviews that will make you look active and credible.
Preparing the homefront
Appoint a contact person and have a clear a mailing address. Having a group spokesperson who can answer questions and provide more information will help in media relations
Establish an executive or advisory board - appoint a chair, a treasurer, and a secretary, and have the secretary keep notes of meetings.
Look at your group members and put together a list of skills - sponsorship is complemented by the time, skills, and expertise of the volunteers. This will help explain to a potential sponsor what value-added services you bring to the table.
Set-up a web presence - this will help provide information that you cannot transmit orally or through PR materials
Do your homework
Carefully look at who you're approaching, research your target sponsor to find the right fit
Look at the sponsor's previous philanthropic activities and its programmes/projects, and align your request around them
Put a case-for-support paper together, something that shows where there is a role for the sponsor to play
Remember volunteer initiatives run on persistence, enthusiasm, and community spirit. Sponsors run on numbers. Sponsors want to see a measurable benefit, and are ultimately accountable themselves.
Moving forward
Look for ways to establish a stronger, more permanent presence in your community.
Explore procedures to become a registered nonprofit group.
Decide to register your own domain name on the internet. Much like a mailing address, a permanent domain name lends a certain credibility to your venture.
Develop brochures, posters, and interpretive books as an effective way to raise community awareness.
Seek support for information and ideas with NGO networks and coalitions - nationally and internationally
Showing posts with label NGOs in Action. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NGOs in Action. Show all posts
Monday, June 2, 2008
Starting an NGO: Funding and Fund-Raising
Funding and Fund raising:
Remember money does not grow on trees. Even if a 'donation' is made to a programme or activity, it is done with an objective in mind - sometimes simply to get good karma. This is critical to understand when we approach a potential sponsor - why is he donating? What advantages can they obtain? What PR milage can they receive from the act?
It is equally important to maintain professionalism, within the NGO, to build adequate trust with the poptential sponsor or donor. Transparancy, accountability, communication etc. should be an integral part of the NGO. A good strategy is to create a working advisory group for each project or activity. This group will have two types of members - strategic members, who will give weight and legitimacy, (and will also bring in key non-financial resources) to the activity, and financial members who will make the actual contribution, based on the strength of the strategic members!
Do not always depend on external or large sources of funding - sometimes, it can come from surprising sources in your own backyard.
Tax exemption: File for tax exemption with the national tax authority (where available). Now that you have formed your board, incorporated your organization, and developed your bylaws you are ready to file with the tax authorities for tax-exemption. The national tax authority may require a number of forms for this process. Be prepared to have the following information ready:
A description of the organizations purpose and programs, including: who the organization serves and why, constituency demographics, examples of training materials, workshops, and other services, etc.
Financial information: sources of funding; financial statements (revenue and expense statement and a balance sheet) for three prior or two projected years.
Source:http://www.gdrc.org/ngo/start-ngo/startngo-6.html
Remember money does not grow on trees. Even if a 'donation' is made to a programme or activity, it is done with an objective in mind - sometimes simply to get good karma. This is critical to understand when we approach a potential sponsor - why is he donating? What advantages can they obtain? What PR milage can they receive from the act?
It is equally important to maintain professionalism, within the NGO, to build adequate trust with the poptential sponsor or donor. Transparancy, accountability, communication etc. should be an integral part of the NGO. A good strategy is to create a working advisory group for each project or activity. This group will have two types of members - strategic members, who will give weight and legitimacy, (and will also bring in key non-financial resources) to the activity, and financial members who will make the actual contribution, based on the strength of the strategic members!
Do not always depend on external or large sources of funding - sometimes, it can come from surprising sources in your own backyard.
Tax exemption: File for tax exemption with the national tax authority (where available). Now that you have formed your board, incorporated your organization, and developed your bylaws you are ready to file with the tax authorities for tax-exemption. The national tax authority may require a number of forms for this process. Be prepared to have the following information ready:
A description of the organizations purpose and programs, including: who the organization serves and why, constituency demographics, examples of training materials, workshops, and other services, etc.
Financial information: sources of funding; financial statements (revenue and expense statement and a balance sheet) for three prior or two projected years.
Source:http://www.gdrc.org/ngo/start-ngo/startngo-6.html
The Ten Most Common Reasons Grants are Declined
"The organization does not meet our priorities." Research before applying.
"The organization is not located in our geographic area of funding."Get the guidelines before applying/at least check the grants guide.
"The proposal does not follow our prescribed format."Read the application information very carefully and follow it exactly.
"The proposal is poorly written and difficult to understand."Have friends and experienced people critique the grant.
"The proposed budget and grant request is not within our funding range."Look at average size of grants of the funder.
"We don’t know these people—are they credible?"Set up an interview before submitting the proposal and have board members and other funded organizations give you credibility.
"The proposal doesn’t seem urgent—and I’m not sure it will have an impact."Study the priorities and have a skilled writer do this section to make it "grab" the funder.
"The objectives and plan of action of the project greatly exceed the budget and timelines for implementation."Be realistic about the programs and budgets—only promise what can realistically be delivered for the amount requested.
"We’ve allocated all the money for this grant cycle."Don’t take this personally. It is a fact of life. Try the next available grant cycle.
"There is insufficient evidence that the program will become self-sufficient and sustain itself after the grant is completed."Add a section to the proposal on plans for sufficiency and develop a long-term strategy.
Source: Grant Guides Plus, Inc.
"The organization is not located in our geographic area of funding."Get the guidelines before applying/at least check the grants guide.
"The proposal does not follow our prescribed format."Read the application information very carefully and follow it exactly.
"The proposal is poorly written and difficult to understand."Have friends and experienced people critique the grant.
"The proposed budget and grant request is not within our funding range."Look at average size of grants of the funder.
"We don’t know these people—are they credible?"Set up an interview before submitting the proposal and have board members and other funded organizations give you credibility.
"The proposal doesn’t seem urgent—and I’m not sure it will have an impact."Study the priorities and have a skilled writer do this section to make it "grab" the funder.
"The objectives and plan of action of the project greatly exceed the budget and timelines for implementation."Be realistic about the programs and budgets—only promise what can realistically be delivered for the amount requested.
"We’ve allocated all the money for this grant cycle."Don’t take this personally. It is a fact of life. Try the next available grant cycle.
"There is insufficient evidence that the program will become self-sufficient and sustain itself after the grant is completed."Add a section to the proposal on plans for sufficiency and develop a long-term strategy.
Source: Grant Guides Plus, Inc.
Internet Use: NGOs in Action
The dynamic nature of the use of the internet by NGOs clearly illustrates the flexibility and adaptability of both NGOs and the internet itself. They have networked online for a variety of reasons: to build awareness, to facilitate training programmes, to reduce costs, to raise funds, to manage information, to disseminate information, to communicate with personnel, or to avoid travel costs!
Concrete actions that NGOs use in developing web-based information have entailed three broad approaches: publicizing, interacting, and supporting:
By publicizing: awards programmes, press campaigns, placards, posters, notice boards, media exercises (photographs, video, films, articles), non-formal activities: street dramas, newsletters, bulletins, documentation of case studies etc.
By interacting: formal and informal community group meetings, forums/workshops, site visits, interviews, etc.
By supporting: minigrants, internships, workshops, training in leadership and other organizational/operational skills, surveys and other means of information gathering etc.In general, NGO have used the internet for information collation, for networking, for collaboration and partnerships, for participation and exchange, for communications and more. They have used various kinds of technologies to achieve this.
a. Information Collation: NGOs have extensively used the internet for collation of information on the activities that they and other NGOs carry out. They have both put up information for others to use, as well as accessed information that was made available on the internet. Some examples:
The NGO Cafehttp://www.gdrc.org/ngo/The NGO Cafe is a meeting place for and by NGOs to discuss, debate and disseminate information on their work, strategies and results. It contains information useful to both NGOs and those studying NGOs.
Biodiversity Conservation Information System (BCIS)http://biodiversity.org/A joint initiative of eleven programmes and partners, BCIS seeks to support environmentally sound decision-making and actions affecting the status of biodiversity and landscapes at the local, national, regional and global levels through cooperative provision of data, information, advice and related services.
The Hunger Webhttp://www.brown.edu/Departments/World_Hunger_Program/The aim of Hunger Web is to facilitate the free exchange of ideas and information regarding the causes of, and solutions to, hunger. It contains primary information, made available by the World Hunger Program and its partners, as well as links to other sites where information of relevance to hunger can be found.
b. Networking: It is in networking that NGOs have made most effective use of the internet for the access, sharing and dissemination of information. NGOs have used the internet for advocacy, awareness building, consultancy, education and sensitization, identifying resources, impact analysis, knowledge creation, mutual support, news & events info, programme/project support, research, training courses etc. Some examples:
NGO Global Networkhttp://www.ngo.org/The purpose of this site is to provide information for NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) who are active at the United Nations. The Network seeks to develop partnerships with other NGOs around the Globe and initiate a dialogue and links to those NGOs with similar interests.
Climate Action Network (CAN)http://www.soc.titech.ac.jp/uem/trialogue/can.htmlThe Climate Action Network (CAN) is a network of NGOs who share a common concern for problems of climate change and wish to cooperate in the development and implementation of both short term and long term strategies to combat it.
GEF NGO Information Kioskhttp://www.gefweb.com/NGO/ngo.htmThe Global Environment Facility provides grants and concessional funding to recipient countries for projects and programs that protect the global environment and promote sustainable economic growth. The NGO Information Kiosk was set up to enable interaction between GEF and NGOs.
c. Collaboration and Partnerships: The internet has provided the ideal platform for intensive collaboration and partnerships between NGOs themselves, and with other organizations. These collaborations have typically been with respect to information, programmes and projects, monitoring and evaluation, research, policy development etc. Some examples:
OneWorldhttp://www.oneoworld.org/OneWorld Online is a partnership of over 100 organizations working for human rights and sustainable development. Its aim is to publish information about global issues at low cost for development NGOs and others whose remit it is to get such material out to the world. Separate, autonomous websites are created for each of its development partners
Asia-Pacific Cities Forumhttp://www.apcf.org/APCF is an action partnership for sustainable cities and communities linking leaders of business, government, civil society, academe, and media. The Mission of APCF is to act as a catalyst for a continuing and constructive interaction in Asia and the Pacific region whereby partners are able to leverage their respective resources to a degree not achievable individually.
d. Participation and exchange: Due to the large number of NGOs and public users who have access to the internet, it has been an ideal medium for the exchange and dissemination of information - at the right level to the right people. Some examples:
Envirolink Networkhttp://www.envirolink.org/EnviroLink is a non-profit organization, a grassroots online community that unites organizations and volunteers around the world with people in over 130 countries. It provides information services such as a library, news service, the Sustainable Business Network etc.
The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)http://www.iclei.org/ICLEI is the international environmental agency for local governments. It serves as an international clearinghosue on sustainable development issues, initiates joint projects among local governments, organizes training programmes and serves as an advocate for local governments in international fora.
e. Communications: It is only with constructive communications and dissemination of their activities and services that an NGO is able to deliver its message to its constituency. It has done so very effectively using the internet. Some examples:
Association for Progressive Communicationshttp://www.apc.org/The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is a global network of networks whose mission is to empower and support organizations, social movements and individuals through the use of information and communication technologies. Composed of a consortium of 25 international member networks, APC offers vital links of communication to over 50,000 organizations and individuals in 133 countries.
f. Technology: NGOs have used various means and technologies that the internet offers in its online activities. Mailing lists and newsgroups (including online bulletin boards) are on example of the one-to-many and many-to-many communication technologies that the internet offers. Web-based databases have been created, maintained, and updated dynamically by accessing them over the internet. Public membership in NGOs have been solicited over the internet; similarly online question-and-answer forums have also been activated. Downloading and uploading of files and databases over the internet have also been enabled by internet links.
Source: http://www.gdrc.org/ngo/internet-ngos.html
Concrete actions that NGOs use in developing web-based information have entailed three broad approaches: publicizing, interacting, and supporting:
By publicizing: awards programmes, press campaigns, placards, posters, notice boards, media exercises (photographs, video, films, articles), non-formal activities: street dramas, newsletters, bulletins, documentation of case studies etc.
By interacting: formal and informal community group meetings, forums/workshops, site visits, interviews, etc.
By supporting: minigrants, internships, workshops, training in leadership and other organizational/operational skills, surveys and other means of information gathering etc.In general, NGO have used the internet for information collation, for networking, for collaboration and partnerships, for participation and exchange, for communications and more. They have used various kinds of technologies to achieve this.
a. Information Collation: NGOs have extensively used the internet for collation of information on the activities that they and other NGOs carry out. They have both put up information for others to use, as well as accessed information that was made available on the internet. Some examples:
The NGO Cafehttp://www.gdrc.org/ngo/The NGO Cafe is a meeting place for and by NGOs to discuss, debate and disseminate information on their work, strategies and results. It contains information useful to both NGOs and those studying NGOs.
Biodiversity Conservation Information System (BCIS)http://biodiversity.org/A joint initiative of eleven programmes and partners, BCIS seeks to support environmentally sound decision-making and actions affecting the status of biodiversity and landscapes at the local, national, regional and global levels through cooperative provision of data, information, advice and related services.
The Hunger Webhttp://www.brown.edu/Departments/World_Hunger_Program/The aim of Hunger Web is to facilitate the free exchange of ideas and information regarding the causes of, and solutions to, hunger. It contains primary information, made available by the World Hunger Program and its partners, as well as links to other sites where information of relevance to hunger can be found.
b. Networking: It is in networking that NGOs have made most effective use of the internet for the access, sharing and dissemination of information. NGOs have used the internet for advocacy, awareness building, consultancy, education and sensitization, identifying resources, impact analysis, knowledge creation, mutual support, news & events info, programme/project support, research, training courses etc. Some examples:
NGO Global Networkhttp://www.ngo.org/The purpose of this site is to provide information for NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) who are active at the United Nations. The Network seeks to develop partnerships with other NGOs around the Globe and initiate a dialogue and links to those NGOs with similar interests.
Climate Action Network (CAN)http://www.soc.titech.ac.jp/uem/trialogue/can.htmlThe Climate Action Network (CAN) is a network of NGOs who share a common concern for problems of climate change and wish to cooperate in the development and implementation of both short term and long term strategies to combat it.
GEF NGO Information Kioskhttp://www.gefweb.com/NGO/ngo.htmThe Global Environment Facility provides grants and concessional funding to recipient countries for projects and programs that protect the global environment and promote sustainable economic growth. The NGO Information Kiosk was set up to enable interaction between GEF and NGOs.
c. Collaboration and Partnerships: The internet has provided the ideal platform for intensive collaboration and partnerships between NGOs themselves, and with other organizations. These collaborations have typically been with respect to information, programmes and projects, monitoring and evaluation, research, policy development etc. Some examples:
OneWorldhttp://www.oneoworld.org/OneWorld Online is a partnership of over 100 organizations working for human rights and sustainable development. Its aim is to publish information about global issues at low cost for development NGOs and others whose remit it is to get such material out to the world. Separate, autonomous websites are created for each of its development partners
Asia-Pacific Cities Forumhttp://www.apcf.org/APCF is an action partnership for sustainable cities and communities linking leaders of business, government, civil society, academe, and media. The Mission of APCF is to act as a catalyst for a continuing and constructive interaction in Asia and the Pacific region whereby partners are able to leverage their respective resources to a degree not achievable individually.
d. Participation and exchange: Due to the large number of NGOs and public users who have access to the internet, it has been an ideal medium for the exchange and dissemination of information - at the right level to the right people. Some examples:
Envirolink Networkhttp://www.envirolink.org/EnviroLink is a non-profit organization, a grassroots online community that unites organizations and volunteers around the world with people in over 130 countries. It provides information services such as a library, news service, the Sustainable Business Network etc.
The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)http://www.iclei.org/ICLEI is the international environmental agency for local governments. It serves as an international clearinghosue on sustainable development issues, initiates joint projects among local governments, organizes training programmes and serves as an advocate for local governments in international fora.
e. Communications: It is only with constructive communications and dissemination of their activities and services that an NGO is able to deliver its message to its constituency. It has done so very effectively using the internet. Some examples:
Association for Progressive Communicationshttp://www.apc.org/The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is a global network of networks whose mission is to empower and support organizations, social movements and individuals through the use of information and communication technologies. Composed of a consortium of 25 international member networks, APC offers vital links of communication to over 50,000 organizations and individuals in 133 countries.
f. Technology: NGOs have used various means and technologies that the internet offers in its online activities. Mailing lists and newsgroups (including online bulletin boards) are on example of the one-to-many and many-to-many communication technologies that the internet offers. Web-based databases have been created, maintained, and updated dynamically by accessing them over the internet. Public membership in NGOs have been solicited over the internet; similarly online question-and-answer forums have also been activated. Downloading and uploading of files and databases over the internet have also been enabled by internet links.
Source: http://www.gdrc.org/ngo/internet-ngos.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
