Strengthening CSOS to Raise Funds Locally!
Preceding the training, WACSI engaged the leadership of selected organisations to identify critical gaps, expectations and address issues pertaining to ownership of the programme. A total of eighteen (18) participants from the different organisation were actively engaged in the 5-day programme scheduled from 01 to 05 April 2019 at the WACSI training centre.
Bringing together top-notch facilitators such as Dr Robert Asomadu-Kyereme, Charles Kojo Vandyck and guest speaker Jimm Chick Fomunjong, participants were able to go through the various modules of the training using a combination of tools and approaches to equip them with knowledge, skills and behavioural strategies to effectively mobilise resources within their communities.
The specific objectives of the training were to strengthen selected organisations’ capacity and knowledge on local fundraising as well as sharpen participants’ knowledge and skills to successfully raise funds and diversify their funding base.
Furthermore, the training helped develop skills for exploring and accessing funding opportunities on the domestic funding market (non-traditional/local funding), as well as skills required for effectively communicating impact and increasing visibility.
The methodology included mini-lectures, group activities, and practical exercises, case studies, brainstorming sessions, quizzes, icebreakers and open discussions. The training unwrapped the minds of the participants as they were enlightened on ways to locally seek for funds.
This 5-day training course saw a lot of engagements by the participants as each facilitator gave out their best in ensuring that the practical aspect of the programme was achieved.
A facilitator, Mr Vandyck, stressed on the need for “friend-raising” before fundraising and advised continuous donor recognition and appreciation. Participants were also asked to share their experiences about local fundraising, challenges they faced as well as their achievements during the process.
Dr Asomadu-Kyereme also expressed the need for active listening to take place when communicating with donors as he introduced the LSD approach which involves Listening attentively, Summarising and Digging deeper.
In addition, the guest speaker Mr Fomunjong highlighted the need to demonstrate impact in order to obtain buy-in from potential donors and community members. He further stated that organisations can show evidence of their fundraising milestones with the use of data, operational research, success stories and evidence base case studies.
Highlighting on some of the lessons learnt from the training, Albert Rockson III a participant from the Central Aid said:
“Thanks to the training, I was able to attain the strategies to optimise and maximise our ability to generate funding to pursue the objectives of the foundation”.
Mr Arhin, who also participated in the training from Blessed Home Foundation also cited:
“This course has made me understand the need for raising funds locally as a complement to donations from foreign donors”.
Other participants gave testimonies from the 5-day exercise stating that the content of the training and knowledge shared was very interesting and relevant to the sustainability of their organization. “Now we are poised to raise funds locally.”
About the author
Mawuena Komla Agede is a dynamic, energetic and an inspiring young man with a demonstrated history of working in Multimedia Industry as well marketing research fields with an excellent understanding in I.T, graphic designing, marketing, digital marketing and online advertising. He has worked with multinational companies such as Millward Brown Ghana, Ringier Africa, IPSOS Ghana Ltd, West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) amongst others. Mr Agede is a strong business development professional who holds a professional diploma in Management studies (ICM-UK) and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Development Communication from the African University College of Communications.
