Featured Articles: Fundraising, Proposal Writing & NGO Management

For NGOs, identifying funding sources and deciding on the suitable funding model for their organization is one of the most challenging tasks. Choosing the right approach to handling nonprofit finance isn't easy.  Every organization needs money to grow. Nonprofits are no exception to this rule. As a result, money is often a topic among nonprofits and its functionaries, and discussions about money get heated even during financially unstable times. On the one hand, there are too many funding … [Read more...] about Understanding the Funding Model for raising funds from High Net individuals (HNI)

DIV Program is a very considerate and supportive step that works in coordination with new and innovative ideas coming from any and everywhere across the globe. It has been proven as a boon for many NGOs and for us as a society over the years. The basics of a DIV Program Development Innovation Venture (DIV) is an endowment program established by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) that sponsors several kinds of programs started by various NGOs across the globe … [Read more...] about How to Apply for the USAID’s Development Innovation Venture (DIV)?

Understanding the basics of NGO Over the past few decades NGOs have gained significant popularity as the third pillar of development and have played a key role in providing social, economic and environmental services to the marginalized. Growth of NGOs as providers of essential services and key players in policy reforms has been a global phenomenon. NGOs have worked very effectively in areas where both government and private players have failed miserably, this ability of NGOs to work in the … [Read more...] about How to Start and Build a Successful NGO: From Developing a Vision to Implementing Your Fundraising

Introduction A goal without a plan is just a wish- Antoine de Saint-Exupery (French writer, 1900 - 1944). What better way to describe the importance of planning in our day-to-day lives. Successful people plan their actions and work endlessly to stick to their plan; while the not-so-successful people, plan a lot but hardly ever implement the plan. The key to success is therefore not just having a plan but also executing it to achieve your goals and objectives. Most organizations agree … [Read more...] about Strategic Planning for NGOs: A Guide to Understand the Basics of Strategic Planning

What is Social Media? Social media has made it easier than ever for NGOs around the world to connect with an audience of potential beneficiaries, donors, government officials, and other people interested in supporting a cause. Very broadly, social media is a tool that allows users to join a larger network through sharing, commenting, and engaging with different kinds of posts. Examples of social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, YouTube, and Instagram — any website or … [Read more...] about What types of Social Media Platforms are useful for NGOs?

Introduction Writing proposals for funding is one of the most crucial aspects of any NGO. Proposals are important for any organization, as they decide the success or failure of an organization. No matter how big or small your organization is you cannot get away from writing a project proposal. As an NGO staff, you might be aware that the primary purpose of a project proposal is to convince the donor agency to fund your project. It is thus important for you to write a proposal that is … [Read more...] about Frame Your First Proposal using A Master Proposal Template

The grant proposal writing process is an essential activity for all grant-seeking NGOs. While all donor agencies request proposals, the grant writing process actually helps in planning, preparing and delivering results for your projects. But developing proposals can be challenging if you do not have the access to the tools, knowledge and resources. This proposal writing guide will assist you in getting a complete understanding of the proposal writing process, what types of tools and resources … [Read more...] about Get a Complete Understanding of the Grant Proposal Writing Process

Just like proposals are an essential tool to convince donors to support your organization, developing a perfect pitch desk is an equally important document used by startups to raise funds. Preparing for a donor presentation may be a daunting task for many NGO professionals, as they lack the necessary skills to develop a perfect pitch deck.  Considering there might be thousands of non-profits after the same set of donors, it becomes really important for you to have a pitch deck that stands out … [Read more...] about What is a Pitch Deck and Why it is important for NGOs?

Here is a sample proposal using the intermediate proposal template. The sample proposal has all the elements that you need to include in the proposal with a small description of each section and subsection. Please note that this is just a sample and the various sections do not have the complete description, it has been drafted to give you an idea of how each section is to be written. When writing the proposal for your organization you will have to elaborate on each and every section so … [Read more...] about Sharing a Sample Proposal to help you Succeed in Fundraising

For a charity organisation, each donor is important as they provide the much-needed support that the organisation needs to conduct its programmes. However, when a donor expresses an interest to visit the project communities/project sites, not always the not-for-profit organisation feels comfortable about it. A variety of thoughts, questions and concerns arise for the organisation. Common ones include the following: What does the donor want to see actually? What if the donor discovers or … [Read more...] about How NGOs can Prepare themselves for Donor Visits and How to organize them?

Logical Framework Analysis helps to clarify the purpose of, and the justification for a project, identify information requirements, clearly define key elements of a project, analyze the project’s setting at an early stage, facilitate communication between all parties involved, identify how the success or failure of the project should be measured. Definition of Logical Framework Analysis Logical Framework Analysis (LFA) can be defined as a systematic planning procedure for complete project … [Read more...] about Write Your Logical Framework with this Sample! Ease up Your Proposal Writing Process

Introduction Writing proposals for funding is one of the most crucial aspects of any NGO. Proposals are important for any organization as they decide the success or failure of an organization. No matter how big or small your organization is you cannot get away from writing a project proposal. As an NGO staff, you might be aware that the primary purpose of a project proposal is to convince the donor agency to fund your project. Thus, you must write a proposal that is innovative, practical, and … [Read more...] about Create Your own Proposal with this Master Proposal Template to write more Proposals easily

Deep inside in your mind, an "idea" to help the poor and the needy is fast taking shape after earnestly witnessing the community problems around you. You know the solutions - you know what needs to be done to improve their living. On the other side, funders and donors are willing to provide you with the much-needed grants to implement your idea. But these funders and donors require a proposal from you explaining your "idea." A proposal is a written document that elaborately explains the … [Read more...] about Free Guide: These Short and Simple Questions will help you write your Proposals quickly

Proposal writing has become very demanding in view of the complexity of projects put up for funding and the stakes involved on the part of donors as well as the beneficiaries. Most donors now insist on a comprehensive and clear understanding of the projects submitted for their consideration. Theory of Change (ToC) has emerged as a key component of proposals to meet this requirement. This becomes all the more essential where the scope and impact of a project is substantial and funds being … [Read more...] about Essentials in Proposal Writing: Theory of Change

Global partnerships are as diverse as the themes and geographic regions are in the realm of development. In the two parts of this article, Part I brought out certain thematic areas and geographies while the current Part II covers some more areas of interest to NGOs spread out across the globe. Global partnerships are emerging everywhere and in every area of human enterprise. So, it will not be appropriate to say that the partnerships cited in the two articles are all-embracing. Nevertheless, … [Read more...] about Global Partnerships for sustainability of NGOs Part – II

Many NGOs are confronted with an uncertain future when the supporting grant nears its end. Fast changing scenario of aid becoming scarce and donors adopting new approaches of channelizing the limited resources should not lead to despondency among NGOs. It only calls for taking stock of the emerging trends and reframing strategies to outwit the challenges posed by shrinking aid flow. If you are smart enough to catch up with the emerging canvas of aid, you will win the race come what … [Read more...] about Global Partnerships for sustainability of NGOs PART – I

Governance or Corporate Governance as it is commonly called in the business world refers to a set of principles, policies and processes by which an institution is run. It defines the values with which an institution conducts itself while it goes about achieving its goals and objectives. Governance not only plays an important role in defining how a company is run, but it also helps to instil confidence among donors, participants and society at large. A good governance policy coupled with … [Read more...] about A Free Template on NGO Governance (with Samples)

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis has now become a real war as NGOs, governments and private institutions have put to use massive resources to address it. What appeared to be a minor health problem in Wuhan, China just a few months ago has now turned into a global pandemic affecting every aspect of our lives. Healthcare services have been challenged and livelihoods have been destroyed. According to the World Bank, global poverty is expected to increase to 8.6% - for the first time in the last … [Read more...] about During COVID-19 times, what type of projects can NGOs propose to donors for helping the poor?