1. Writing Proposals for the (Busy) Corporate Sector
Sanda Ojiambo,
Head of Corporate Responsibility, Safaricom Limited &
Head of the Safaricom Foundation,

2. Who are we?
Safaricom Limited is the leading telecommunications company in East Africa
4 i out of 10 Kenyans is a Safaricom Customer
Safaricom Foundation is the Corporate Social Investment arm of Safaricom Limited
Both entities are well respected within Kenya with wide reach among communities

3. Corporate Giving – what are you looking for?
Corporate Giving often referred to as Corporate Social Responsibility , Corporate Philanthropy, Citizenship
Cash donations
Event sponsorships
In kind donations
Technical support
Employee Engagement
Corporate Social Investment

4. Why target the corporate sector. Who are we
Why target the corporate sector? Who are we? What space are we playing in?
Safaricom Limited and Safaricom Foundation
Recognized as Lifetime Contributor to the MDGs by the United Nations MDG Trust.
Nairobi,
September 2010

5. So…What are the Possibilities?
Funding
In kind donations
Partnerships
Fundraising events
Employee Engagement
Doing the Right Thing and Doing Things Right

6. Safaricom Foundation’s Funding Criteria
Proposals must
Be from a registered CBO, NGO or community group
Demonstrate community ownership, community benefits and community participation
BRIEFLY explain the situation and need
Detail SPECIFIC interventions and measurable outcomes
Demonstrate sustainability
(leveraged funds are desired if possible – through other funders, Constituency Development Fund, in kind, community contributions, matched funding)

7. What do Corporates/Corporate Foundations do?
Fund in relation to their product or by products
Environment- mining, paper, cement
Water – Coca Cola
ICT – Microsoft
Fund a broad mandate
Anything goes….
Safaricom Foundation
Education
Economic Empowerment
Environmental Conservation
Health
Disabilities
Arts, Culture, Music
Sports
Disaster Relief

8. Safaricom Foundation Project Proposal Format
GENERAL CONTACT INFORMATION
 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Provide a brief overview and summary of the project. It should provide a credible statement that describes your organisation and establish the significance of the project  
PROBLEM STATEMENT:
State the challenges identified, the rationale/need to address these challenges and the conditions to be changed by the project  
PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
The objectives should describe the intended outcome of the project and should be SMART
Indicate how the objectives will contribute to the achievement of the project, what difference the project will make and the time frame during which this will happen.  

9. Safaricom Foundation Project Proposal Format
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN:
Describe the project activities indicating how the objectives will be accomplished, what will be done, who will do it, who are the implementers, partners and beneficiaries and when  it will be done.  Describe how the project will be sustainable after the funding period.   
PROJECT MONITORING AND EVALUATION:
Describe how you are going to monitor and evaluate the project so as to assess progress during implementation and improve the project efficiency as the project moves along. 
DOCUMENTATION AND SHARING RESULTS :
Describe how you are going to document the progress of your project during and after implementation.  State how you will document and share your results and let others know of your purpose, methods and achievements. 
PROJECT BUDGET:
Indicate the total cost of the project and also provide a detailed budget for these costs.   
ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Provide any additional information in support of this proposal application 

10. Safaricom Foundation Proposals received vs. funded
April March 2010
1281 proposals received
1 6 5 proposals
13% funded

11. Think of speed dating ……..

12. Common Reasons for Declines
Not specific enough – need to state what you are looking for
Focus areas not aligned
Not able to respond to queries succinctly
Too much jargon and buzzwords
No detailed budget/Unrealistic budgets
No explanation as to how project will be implemented
Focused on their understanding of what they believe the corporate wants – branding/visibility – not always the case
Too flexible
Political/partisan causes

13. Lets be careful… No information provided Mass/multiple mailings
Addressed to wrong company/organisation
No detailed budget
No contact information
Reporting and updates still required
Joint visits - monitoring

14. Employee Engagement Staff CSR Leave Days
Employee Project Funding Scheme
Employee Participation in Projects

15. Safaricom Foundation
World of Difference
12 staff seconded for three months each to work full time with the Foundation’s project partners, employing their technical and professional skills

16. Towards Sustainable Partnerships
It is more than seeking funding for projects
Partnership scopes are extremely wide
Ongoing stakeholder /partnership engagement is important
Challenge your funders/partners to do things right, not to just do the right thing

17. Doing Things Right - in the Long Term - who is your partner?
Social Good Products
Assessing their impact on the environment
Compliance
Responsible Citizenship

18. Contact Us
Website:

19. Working with you to develop our country and our communities