Resource Mobilization - World Bank

1 Resource Mobilization This brief is one in a series of tips for civil society organizations written from a funder's perspective. It is intended to stimulate inquiry, rather than to provide rigid instructions. T i p s f o r S t r e n g t h e n i n g O r g a n i z a t i o n a l C a p a c i t y Resource Mobilization Project Development Financial Systems Grant Proposal Writing Tips for mobilizing resources Tips for developing and Tips for establishing an Tips for developing and writing closer to home to strengthen implementing a project and key accountable and transparent a proposal, including critical organizational capacity and questions to ask in the process. financial system to build elements to facilitate project deliver benefits to the financial sustainability. success. community. These tips include diverse Budgeting Monitoring & Evaluation Reporting to Funders methods for mobilizing Tips for preparing a budget with Tips for reviewing and Tips for maintaining and resources starting with an emphasis on its purpose, assessing progress towards strengthening your relationship preparing for fundraising, steps, and components.

2 Objectives, identifying problems with funders following a grant assessing and using and strategies, and making award.. community strengths, and adjustments to plans. soliciting external funding sources. PURPOSE OF Resource Mobilization Evidence of past accomplishments Effective management and leadership by your board How can an organization raise the income needed to carry members and staff who will ensure the accountability out its mission? Where are the required resources? How do and transparency of the organization you sustain your organization and work? These are the key Financial systems that will safeguard the resources questions confronting organizations when they consider raised, including adequate financial controls that how to maintain their work and strengthen organizational demonstrate good management and builds trust sustainability. Solid reputation, credibility, and positive image Mutual respect and knowledge sharing between the Developing a plan or strategy for Resource Mobilization can organization and the community it benefits, as well as lead to creative efforts in using your own local assets to gain other stakeholders support for your organization.

3 Multiple sources of funding The ability to attract, create, and sustain new can increase your independence and flexibility to implement resources, especially based in the local community programs and reduce reliance on external (or foreign). funding. With increased competition for scarce grant RESEARCHING THE CURRENT SITUATION. resources, thinking of, and creating options for new, diverse, Fundraising requires knowledge of the country's current and multiple funding streams will help your organization situation, including legal and tax structures, as well as what manage its programs. kind of fundraising activity could succeed in your unique environment, for example: This brief starts with aspects to consider prior to mobilizing resources. The tips on Resource Mobilization first discuss The legal situation in your country may allow or restrict certain types of activities for your type of what your organization can do locally before soliciting organization.

4 Be familiar with any special permission external sources for funding. that is required for your fundraising activities Tax consequences may affect how your organization PREPARING FOR FUNDRAISING reports the income and should be a consideration for Before you start fundraising, you should lay the foundation selecting the appropriate activity to have a compelling reason for donors to give. A plan that Tax relief for individual or corporate donations may weighs your options can help save time and effort and have be an incentive for giving a better chance of success. Some of the key elements that will Successful fundraising efforts of other civil society strengthen your case include: organizations (CSOs) may be replicated. On the other Clear sense and commitment to your vision and hand, creating innovative and fresh ideas may also mission -- who you are, where you are going, and how inspire people to contribute your mission relates to the communities served Building on local cultural and religious practices and Promising program that will yield results traditions may help to attract a certain audience World BANK SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM 1.

5 R e so ur ce Mo bi l i z at i o n MAPPING YOUR COMMUNITY'S ASSETS volunteers in your CSO. Corporations, local government offices, community associations, and Each community has a unique set of assets upon which to other agencies may have skilled human resources to build its future. The first step in a fundraising strategy is to fill gaps in your organization. Mapping your identify and inventory the range of financial and non- community's assets may help you to identify local financial resources of the individuals, community (including residents with specific skills and capacities. NGOs, groups, and associations), and local institutions Ensure quality of the work by interviewing, selecting, (including local government agencies). Non-financial and hiring the person with the appropriate resources include skills, talents (such as handicrafts), and qualifications. Managing volunteers can be as time capacities.

6 Consuming as managing staff. Retain volunteers by supervising them and providing Mapping can help your organization consider alternate and support and mentorship as required. Volunteers efficient resources for your proposed project. You may usually desire opportunities that are meaningful and rediscover innovative solutions by mapping traditional can fulfill their own needs (such as skills technologies and practices, in areas such as pest control or development, social environment, networks, conflict resolution. By being aware of your community learning). members' skills, you may be able to use a local resident to deliver services or training, rather than hiring an external Recognize and acknowledge the volunteer in staff meetings and in public (in a newsletter or public consultant. event). Appreciation goes a long way. Focusing on the community's assets could help to localize Keep track of volunteer hours and record this in your your fundraising and engage the local citizens to invest in reports to funders and other stakeholders.

7 This is a their own future and create a sense of hope and control. demonstration of in-kind support. Knowing one another's assets could also help to build relationships among local residents, associations, and LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES. institutions. A strong governance structure, such as a board of directors, VOLUNTEERS AS RESOURCES is important to have in place to lead the organization in Resource Mobilization efforts. Funders may ask about the Volunteers can provide great resources and benefits to your governance structure and composition (for example, gender organization. Volunteering is generally done by choice, breakdown or community member involvement) and board without monetary reward (apart from expenses), and members' names and affiliations. benefits the community. To recruit and keep your volunteers, you need to recognize the motivations and expectations of a The Board of Directors typically consists of volunteers with volunteer.

8 People give their time because they get specific skills, knowledge, and experience. In many cases, something out of the service they provide. For example, a they will be the body that is responsible and accountable to young person may gain skills or experience to apply for funders for the governance and finances of the organization. future opportunities. Example of Leadership Responsibilities Volunteers can be retirees, technical experts, young people, Consider including Resource Mobilization as or student interns. They can serve for a long term, such as on one of the responsibilities for board members. your board or short term, such as providing labor to build a Some examples of what a board member could health facility. They may be a local resident or someone from do to help mobilize resources are: another country. Regardless of who they are and what skills Cultivate potential supporters they bring, you may want to think systematically about Speak on behalf of the organization and managing volunteers to get the most of this valuable human issues Resource .

9 Some steps are: Strategize with staff on fundraising Recruit volunteers Identify tasks that need to get done, outline a job Donate to the organization. description, duration of the volunteer service, and profile or skills required. Depending on your needs, recruit volunteers from places such as local schools or universities or inquire about foreign volunteer programs for placement of World BANK SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM 2. R e so ur ce Mo bi l i z at i o n INCOME GENERATION ACTIVITIES Nominate a volunteer to serve as the manager of the event and enlist other volunteers -- this could be a MEMBERSHIP DUES way to test new leadership skills and build a team Your organization may have members who form, own and Find a local business sponsor to donate cash or goods operate the organization. The organization can generate in exchange for free advertising. cash from membership dues or subscriptions.

10 The amount should be spelled out in the original charter or bylaws and COST RECOVERY. may be done on a sliding scale. Members are also a good CSOs may choose to charge a nominal fee for their products source of volunteers and spokespeople for your cause. In or services. This helps the CSO to recover some of their costs return, the organization will be accountable to the and be accountable to their paying clients. However, in membership base and provide benefits to them. reality, many of the CSOs work in areas where the poor do not have the ability to pay. An alternative could be to Example of a Membership Drive subsidize some of the costs by charging those who can pay. To enroll new members, consider To determine people's ability to pay, CSOs will need to conducting a house-to-house membership analyze their clients, market, and other competition. drive where volunteers recruit new people to join your organization.