Baladi CAP Best Practices for funding Civil Society Organizations in Lebanon

Transcription

1 Baladi CAP Best Practices for funding Civil Society Organizations in Lebanon Community of Practice Workshop July 5, Padova Hotel, Sin El Fil Report Prepared by Richard Bteich I. Introduction Within the capacity development program on internal management and governance for partner CSOs in cohort 1, BALADI CAP organized a community of practice workshop on fundraising for CSOs. The workshop was attended by representatives of partner organizations and guest speakers from three large size non-profit organizations in Lebanon. The workshop was held at Padova Hotel in Sin El Fil on July 5, 2014 and was facilitated by Mr. Richard Bteich. The present report relates the process and results of the workshop. II. Objectives The workshop aimed at identifying best practices in fundraising for non-profit organizations in Lebanon through a participatory approach in view of forming a community of practice at a later stage where partner organizations of BALADI CAP and others can cooperate and exchange experiences for optimized results. III. Workshop Methodology The workshop consisted of two main parts: - Presentation of experiences of three large Lebanese NGOs in fundraising - The input of partner organizations on most relevant fundraising methods and internal processes for them and suggestions on organizing a follow up mechanism. IV. Results Session 1: Experiences of 3 Lebanese NGOs in Fundraising Presentations were made by Rene Moawad Foundation (RMF), The Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) and Caritas Lebanon. Initially, the speakers were asked to share with the participants the experience of fundraising in their organizations by highlighting the following: - Fundraising process and structure: planning, reporting, archiving, M&E, etc.., - Fundraising leadership, the role of the board, the role of volunteers - Main fundraising methods and tools used in the organization

2 - Major sources of funding - Success stories - Main challenges and troubleshooting Observations The three organizations have different practices in fundraising as for the internal processes and fundraising methods. Such diversity of experiences exposed participants to different challenges that large non-profits encounter in fundraising. It provided as well information on a variety of techniques and approaches for fundraising. The three organizations, despite being successful and among the largest in the country, they have no defined fundraising strategy yet. Their results could be optimized if methodological approach is applied within a strategic framework to fundraising. Session 2: Fundraising Methods for CSOs in Lebanon Purpose: The session aimed at getting the input of the participants on the most relevant fundraising methods for their organizations, based on the previous session information and the training workshop on Fundraising they previously attended. Process: The participants were divided into 3 working groups based on their size. Each group was asked about the most relevant fundraising methods that could be applied in their organization, stating at the same time the advantages and challenges from their angle of experience of each method. Output: 1- Large NGOs Fundraising Method Advantages Challenges Corporate funding (CSR) Individual fundraiser (personal initiatives) Major gifts/donors - Fixed Income - Reliable - Defined Period - Low cost - Everyone in the organization is a fundraiser - High income - High awareness on organization - Low cost - High income - Conflicting interests - Contract breach - White washing - Negative image/branding - Limited role - Going off-track - Relationship maintenance - Diversification

3 Ambassador/High Profile Royalties Membership fees - Awareness about organization - High support and PR - High income - Steady income - Reliable - Low cost and maintenance - Steady income - Reliable - Low cost and maintenance - High Risk for the organization image - Product risks (defect) - Depends highly on sales and situation of the economy - Time consuming - Requires initial investment Diaspora - Good Target ($) - High initial investment - Logistical constraints - M & E difficulties 2- Medium Size NGOs Fundraising Method Advantages Challenges Lebanese Government Funding Grants from International Donor Agencies - Fixed Guaranteed income - Lengthy process - Subject to political changes - Big amounts - Complicated technical requirements for proposal - High competition - Requires high quality project design and proposal writing Corporate funding (CSR) - Fast process - Competition among NGOs - Little funds available - Not yet widespread culture among corporations in Lebanon - Corporate objectives can conflict with that of the NGO Income Generating investments Individual donations Fundraising events - If successful can secure sustainable income - Easy and simple - Relies on trust - Builds linkages and image with society - High capital investment - Requires expertise not easily available in NGOs - Matching values between the Business and the NGO - Little income - Fluctuating - Not sustainable - High risk with little income

4 Professional Service Fee (Training, Consulting) 3- Small Size NGOs - Relation-building - Visibility - Requires training for staff Fundraising Method Advantages Challenges Grants from International Donor Agencies Corporate funding (CSR) - Lack of expertise in Proposal Writing - Non-matching priorities with Donors - No fixed Budget - Minimal exposure - Requires dedication from connected individuals Government Funding - Regular - Not sufficient - Limited to specific areas of work Fundraising events - Quick - High awareness and exposure for the NGO - Big efforts - Little income Session 3: Internal Organizational requirements for Fundraising Purpose: The session aimed at getting participants input on the needs to boost the fundraising processes in their organizations Process: Groups were divided same as in previous session base on the size Output: Following are the internal needs and requirements to enhance fundraising in the organizations as expressed by the participants: 1- Large NGOs Put in place a Fundraising Committee Develop a fundraising Strategy including an M& E system Develop a constituent relationship management system (CMR) Put in place a set of policies and procedures for fundraising Develop a case for support Recruit and retain a fundraising professional to lead

5 2- Medium Size NGOs Requirement Develop a Fundraising Strategy Create a team or a department for fundraising Develop capacities of key persons in fundraising A website and archiving system Challenges facing fulfillment of requirement Lack of experience and drive to follow donors priorities Lack of financial and human resources - Lack of funds - Little time dedicated by volunteers to work Lack of funds, experience and time Proposed solutions to challenges Develop internal capacities with the support of external experts Develop capacities and work on allocating funding for this crucial function - BALADI CAP support in training - Seek to obtain funds for salaries of dedicated personnel Develop capacities of individuals with BALADI CAP support and put system in place 3- Small Size NGOs Requirement Management Involvement of the Board in the fundraising efforts A clear organigram and clear job descriptions with M & E system Challenges facing fulfillment requirement - Lack of strategy and sound planning Lack of funds and expertise Possible solutions to challenges Build a case for support, and redefine clearly the responsibilities of the board Session 4: Creating a Community of Practice (CoP) for best practices in Fundraising Purpose: Get the input of the participants on creating a CoP (or a technical/follow up committee) Process: Participants were asked to provide in working groups suggestions on: - Objectives of the CoP - Proposed activities of the CoP (to achieve objectives) - Membership in the CoP (what organizations should join, profile of representatives of organizations)

6 - Operation mechanism of the CoP (coordination, meetings, logistics, etc ) Output: Objectives of CoP - Cooperation and exchange of information and experiences in fundraising among organizations - Develop knowledge and practices of organizations in fundraising through exchange Activities of CoP - Further training Workshops with experts on Fundraising - Discussions of case studies - Collaborative proposal writing with expert support (learning by doing) Membership in the CoP - Key individuals involved in Fundraising within the organizations and fundraising experts Mechanism - Regular meetings on monthly basis - Creation of social media platform for Exchanges V. Observations - Except for the large organizations, the broad concept of fundraising process is new to participating NGOs. They lack knowledge and expertise. This is visible in the output of the working groups in identifying needs and organizational requirements. Building their knowledge and experience is needed and requires time. - At the point where medium and small size organizations stand, it is difficult to aim at developing fundraising strategies or even fundraising plans with diversified sources of funding for most of them, as more basic organizational and management requirements are lacking and without which no optimized fundraising can happen. - Creating a community of Practice operated by the participating organizations is not realistic. Such initiative requires a vision and more experience in NGO work that most of the participating organizations don t have. Not mentioning the will and commitment. - The choice of large NGOs to make presentations on fundraising was informative for the participants. Nevertheless, most participants couldn t easily connect with the information or feel how beneficial the experiences presented could be for them due to the big difference in size and experience. Such concern was voiced by the participants themselves. VI. Recommendations

7 - Opt for practical support in fundraising by supporting the partner CSOs in developing projects and proposals within their strategy and/or priorities and guide them to obtain grants from international donor organizations. Such approach could give results on short term and is appropriate to the reality of most organizations. The strategic approach in fundraising should not be dropped though, but could be put in perspective within a progressive global growth and development of each organization. - One way that could increase the partner CSOs chances in accessing grants is that of getting together in consortiums in applying for grants. Another way could be building partnerships with larger organizations that have higher chances in accessing grants. - In future CoPs, invite guest speakers from NGOs with a profile closer as much as possible to partner CSOs. - If establishing an organized structure for a Fundraising Community of Practice is to happen, BALADI CAP should lead on that and progressively move the command to the CSOs themselves when ready. However, such process needs to ample time to succeed.