STRENGTHENING FUNDRAISING Dr. Tobias Schmitz Director of Operations WaterLex International Secretariat

STRENGTHENING FUNDRAISING 1. Fundraising strategy 2. Fundraising practices 3. Fundraising tips and tricks:

1. FUNDRAISING STRATEGY POSSIBLE STRATEGY ELEMENTS: 1. Proposals should correspond to strategic objectives of your organisation; 2. However: there may be money spinners / ‘quick and dirty’ projects 3. Where possible the proposal should be multiannual or contribute to a multiannual process; 4. Where possible the proposal should be to a new donor (diversification of sources) 5. Where possible the proposals should link to organisations well known by donors; 6. Activities beget funds: implementing projects even at low budget and small scale shows commitment, builds track record 7. Economies of scale: minimum project size? 8. Maintain a stream of proposals / mínimum number of proposals ‘cooking’

1. FUNDRAISING STRATEGY ( INTERNAL REQUIREMENTS) INTERNAL REQUIREMENTS: 1. Plan time dedicated to fundraising & spread over staff / fundraiser 2. Make use of internal critical review & different perspectives 3. Develop a checklist or project ideas template covering key project elements to be considered; 4. Develop a model project budget based on existing costs in the organisation; 5. Clarify the coordination of fundraising and the flow of proposals through the organisation 6. Clarify partnerships policy of the organisation: red lines? 7. Prioritise, don’t let proposals get in each others’ way

2. FUNDRAISING PRACTICES 2.1 CONTACT THE DONOR: Where possible have direct personal contact with the donor; Share accessible communication materials with donor 2.2 Study donor website, reports and publications in order to Understand the key thematic areas which are funded; Study examples of projects already funded by donor Adopt key buzzwords and integrate these into the language of the proposal Understand the templates and submission process

2. FUNDRAISING PRACTICES 2.3 DEVELOP A PROJECT IDEA: Project title and subtitle Contribution to strategy of organization Project aim Context analysis Anticipated results, outputs and activities Target group / area Project partners Target donor Budget Project Title Project subtitle Project Aim (one sentence) Contribution to strategy Context analysis / brief project justification: 5 – 10 sentences Anticipated results of project ( e.g. effect of project on livelihoods of target group) 5 – 10 sentences Anticipated outputs of project (products and processes that the project produces) sentences - Anticipated activities of project - Target group of project - Project partners Project implementation period - Risk Analysis (SWOT & Mitigation Steps) Estimated budget Donor envisaged Existing contacts with donor Attached Documents

2. FUNDRAISING PRACTICES 2.4 RESEARCH THE PROJECT IDEA: Do some basic research on the thematic area of the project Build your proposal on authoritative opinions and established facts Back up any strong statements or opinions with references Demonstrate that you did your homework by clearly referencing sources of information Include references to literature produced by the donor and/or partners in the submission

2. FUNDRAISING PRACTICES 2.5 DEVELOP THE PROJECT PROPOSAL: Ensure that the purpose and content of the project is clear in the first sentence Where possible start with an executive summary Demonstrate that you have researched the proposal Develop a positive sales pitch: name some usp’s of your organization Structure the proposal as clearly as possible, using numbering, tabs, indents, colours, etc. Ensure an attractive and professional layout, pay attention to detail Avoid technical language: explain as fully as possible

2. FUNDRAISING PRACTICES 2.6 DEVELOP THE LOGFRAME: List the key result areas of the project; Decide on indicators of success: how will these results be measured / monitored? For each result area, list the outputs that the organization needs to produce to achieve these results Decide on means of verification of the outputs to be delivered Decide on which activities will result of the production of the desired outputs for the project

2. FUNDRAISING PRACTICES 2.6 DEVELOP THE LOGFRAME: IndicatorMeans of verificationAssumptions ResultsAgricultural production increasedData on harvest per hectare Data monitoring capacity exists OutputsAfforestation (runoff /erosion reduction) Soil fertility (organic matter retained) Data on water flow over land during rainfall Soil test Data monitoring capacity exists Afforestation professionally done ActivitiesEstablish and maintain nursery Plant trees Register of seedlings Register of trees planted No plant diseases Young trees survive on poor land

2. FUNDRAISING PRACTICES 2.7 DEVELOP THE BUDGET: List the key result areas, outputs and associated activities of the project; For each activity make a careful estimation of the staff time required Calculate project staff costs based on time input per staff member For each activity estimate transversal support time required: Project administration support Accounting and bookkeeping support Communications support Logistics support BudgetLogframe

2. FUNDRAISING PRACTICES 2.7 DEVELOP THE BUDGET: For each activity estimate: Research costs (materials) Travel and lodging costs Rental of facilities and equipment Insurances, visas, permits, Consider possible co-financing mechanisms

2. FUNDRAISING PRACTICES 2.8 SUPPORT FROM COMMUNICATIONS: Maintain website Develop key messages about organization Develop donor packages (annual report, key products, etc.) Support staff to present USP’s of the organization Insurances, visas, permits, Consider possible co-financing mechanisms