V. Vijayakumar & John M. Barrows

Situation Project is coming to an end Have a relationship with the donor Want to continue support

Show success Compliance with requirements Communication and maintain relationship Develop track record with donors

Request Asked how can we continue support Strategic decisions on program and projects Organized meetings with clinical and management expertise Identified key priority areas in terms of organization’s felt need/country priority Brainstormed the key strategies for the project Developed concepts and submitted for feedback

Submission Decision on project Careful project design based on need, evidence etc., Internal review of proposal Submitted; additional feedback; revisions

Questions Is it better to have one donor supporting your pediatric program or multiple donors? I agree or disagree with the views and attitudes of my donors? Do donors like to give to existing groups or new groups? Some donors are too demanding? Is it a good idea to send out proposals to as many donors as possible?

For new/young organizations Start small…show success (spend money well) Invest in small, well-defined projects Partner with larger, more experienced organizations (become part of a consortium)

For established organizations Keep on the look-out for new/young organizations that appear to have potential capacity Invest in partner/donor management (visit, give talks, etc.) Build in administrative costs in short term grants Put partner/donor logo on materials/acknowledge in papers Share with all your donors/partners what you are doing (avoid divide/conquer approach)—most donors have relations with each other. Consider partnership with multiple groups (consortium)

For all organizations Always have case studies/stories with pictures ready to send Keep up on the people and activities of the donor organization Long-term approach/short-term approach (and mixed approach) to funding Prepare quarterly/annual reports (that are interesting!!) Always admit delays/failure: don’t try to hide/cover up problems Start thinking outside the box (companies, etc.)

For all organizations Get on list serves Attend national/international meetings (press the flesh) When visiting a city offer to visit the offices of a donor Read the literature (you need to be smarter/appear to be smarter than the next organization)

Clearly articulate your mission Have a clear mission statement (identifies your niche) Have a strategic plan (get outside facilitation if needed)

Potential donors (interested in child eye health) NGOs Dark & Light Blind Care Light for the World Seva Canada CBM SSI ORBIS FHF (research) Government donors USAID CIDA AusAid, etc Foundations/Service clubs Lions (local, international, Netherlands, Swiss) Companies Donation of equipment & consumables (Alcon) Financial contribution