1. A Personal Perspective
Funding
A Personal Perspective

2. About the Philanthropy Leadership Network
The Philanthropy Leadership Network (formerly the Southern African Community Grantmakers Leadership Forum) was set up to support and develop the community philanthropy sector through
Peer Learning & Support
Research that supports our work
Advocacy for an enabling environment
Our active members are in South Africa and Zimbabwe and we ready to welcome members from other countries in the SADEC region.

3. The Vision
The PLN’s vision is “a vibrant culture of giving, citizen mobilization and multi-sector collaboration that eradicate poverty in the region”.

4. Information & Training Resources
– CSI information
SAFULA – Southern African Fundraising Leadership Academy
Inyathelo – SA Institute for Advancement
The Thank You Economy – Gary Vaynerchuk

5. My top 3 Lessons About Funding
Do not run after the ‘big bucks’ when you are starting out – an early big grant makes you complacent – obligations can be onerous
Grow your fund strategy organically - your messaging will go through a series of refinements – so how you ask and what you ask for will change – refrain from spending lots and lots of time on the perfect document – plan enough to get going – act-reflect-refine until you get it right
Diversify your income streams

6. Build Your Container
Your team is your biggest asset – invest in them - support them – every person on your team should be able to tell your story sincerely and effectively
Conscious Culture – Toxic cultures are costly – build your culture as you build your team
Systems of tracking, reporting and communications – make consistency easy e.g. always collect phone numbers
Your Brand will emerge from all of the above - authentic

7. Goodwill Do not under-estimate it
Makes the job of the people asking easier
How – share generously what you know – host events and make everyone who comes through the door feel like they’ve come to the right place – send thank you notes – ask if individual giver requires a tax certificate and send it timeously
Events are great ways to build relationships and goodwill – so don’t do them just to raise funds because it takes time to be profitable – do them to meet potential and current donors face to face – build your community

8. It’s All About Relationships
Your Team – having an A Team gives you an edge – your most important asset and relationship
Your Alumni is likely a key target for financial support - if they are not they should be. In this respect their entire experience at your institution should be one that inspires gratitude, loyalty and community. It is not something money can buy so how you engage them from registration to graduation is something you want to spend a lot of time thinking about.
The colloquium seems to be well placed and timeous to deliberate on these relationships.

9. Thank you