Local fundraising example:
Action for capital 2016

Summary

Action for Capital is one of the activities where Smile Foundation and Maxvision Social Welfare Society raise funds for capital in equal ratio of approved budget. There were many necessary items for the smooth functioning of a Mission Education (ME) Centre that Maxvision did not possess. To mention a few: a water container, computer, printer, inverter, carpet, sports materials, projector, fan, tables and chairs. Apart from that Maxvision was also in need of regular teaching learning materials, educational material, salaries, rent and other miscellaneous expenses. To raise funds they needed to involve the local community, corporates, professionals, their own network and individual donors. They planned activities like a Puppet Show, a Healthcare Camp, visits to the ME Centre, etc. Especially the visits of (potential) donors to the ME Centre proved to be very successful. This is one of the strongest tools to create interest and support.

Tips and lessons learned

1. All of the organisation’s office bearers – governing body have good contacts in their mobiles and professional life. These contacts already know that they are working for a good cause, so all they need to do is approach everyone, explain the needs and ask for their support.
2. Call a meeting of all nearest and dearest along with officials, volunteers, staff, local community members, etc. and make a problem and solution tree. Write down all problems & suggestions and accordingly plan for the action. Empower them to take ownership for every item/amount required and see to it that the various tasks can be completed within a limited timeframe.
3. Approach nearby institutions, corporates, hospitals, professionals with a proper presentation and invite them to join your Employee Engagement Programme or for a personal visit to your centre and event, if any. Allow them to come with their suggestions and ask them to support and get support from people in their network as well.

Review by Wilde Ganzen Foundation

This example offers some important lessons for organisations starting with local fundraising. The first one is that it pays to mobilise your own network. Make a list of everyone already involved in your work and ask them to approach their own contacts. Another strong point is that Maxvision created commitment, by organising a meeting with officials, volunteers, staff en local community members, to share the problems and possible solutions, stimulating those present to take responsibility for one or more of the items required. The tasks were equally divided to ensure completion within a limited timeframe. Having involved your own environment, you can then try to enlarge the circle to nearby institutions and corporates. But first make a plan what you would like to propose to them. Maxvision created interest and support by inviting (potential) donors to visit the ME Centre.

Details

Short description of the organisation the funds were raised for

Maxvision Social Welfare Society was registered in 2004 and is working in a number of fields, among them Self Help Group formation, health care programmes, vocational training and women empowerment. Maxvision Social Welfare Society has also contributed to various national surveys and campaigns. As a partner of Smile Foundation, Maxvision Social Welfare Society is implementing STeP (120 beneficiaries), ME Centre-Dharam Colony (225 beneficiaries) and ME Centre-Bhawani Enclave (200 beneficiaries). Smile Twin E-learning Programme (STeP) is an initiative to bridge the gap between demand and supply of skilled manpower in the fast emerging services and retail sectors of modern India. This national level programme trains the urban underprivileged adolescent youth in English Proficiency, Basic Computer Education and Soft Skills for enhancing their prospects of employment in the retail, hospitality and Business Processing Outsourcing sectors.

Short description of the project or programme the funds were raised for

Funds were raised for two Mission Education (ME) Centres, one in Dharam Colony, the other in Bhawani Enclave, both Gurgaon. In order to run these Centres smoothly, many items pertaining to infrastructure were required.

Mission Education Centre is one of the great initiatives by Smile Foundation, Change the Game Academy partner in India, to involve grassroots CBOs/NGOs as partner for Child Education (age group of 3 to 18 years). Beneficiaries come from underprivileged families, migrated families, below poverty line families and others that are unable to afford educational expenses for their children. Many of these families are also unaware of the importance of education. There are 2 types of classes in an ME Centre – non-formal classes and remedial classes. All non-school going children are enrolled in non-formal classes and school going children are enrolled in remedial classes. With support of Smile Foundation, Maxvision provides teaching learning materials, educational materials, sports activities, healthcare, exposure visits, Parents Teacher Meetings to discuss the progress of the children, teachers training, extracurricular activities and many more for their overall development. After having been educated in an ME Centre the children are supported to get admission in formal schools and their parents are motivated to support them.

Objectives

1. Funds for capital.
2. Funds for assets.
3. Funds for infrastructure.

Targeted donors

1. Own network.
2. Corporates, companies, professionals.
3. Individual donors.

Results

Result comments

Maxvision has got new donors, relations and volunteers. Some required items were received from donors directly.

Description of preparatory work

First of all Maxvision called a meeting of all office bearers along with staff and shared the theme of Action for Capital. Suggestions were exchanged and a fundraising plan was prepared accordingly.

Then a list of expected donors was prepared i.e.:

1. Well known donors.
2. List of corporates on nearby locations.
3. List of professionals - doctors, advocates, accountants, engineers and government officials.List of individual donors.

• Maxvision also prepared one event for fundraising at an ME Centre so that donors can get a real feel of the need and the beneficiaries.
• Invitation emails to all expected donors were written.
• Maxvision prepared a presentation of our organisation and the ME Centres to attract attention of expected donors.
• Students prepared some handmade items to sell and show.

Description of implementation

Using the lists Maxvision contacted expected donors and invited them to visit the ME Centre.

• They shared the ME Centre basic needs.
• They asked the potential donor how he/she could help. They were also asked if they knew persons interested in supporting child education.
• Maxvision visited individual donors, government officials, local counsellors and professionals from their network.
• The invitation mails were sent.
• Maxvision showed the presentation of their organisation and the ME Centre to get donors attention and interest to support.
• They invited expected donors, corporates and companies in the ME Centre for a Puppet Show and a Healthcare Camp and motivated them by showing them a real picture of the present condition.
• During this event some handmade products and paper art made by little kids for fundraising were shown and sold.

Follow up: Donor appreciation and acknowledgement

Very sincerely draft a letter of appreciation and acknowledgement to every donor and take their birth dates, anniversary dates, etc. at the time of their visit or during individual meetings. Also send them greetings on every occasion/festival. This will create strong relations. A personal touch leads to continuous support towards your goals.

Plans to repeat the action

Yes, Maxvision is planning to repeat the action on a half-yearly basis. By making action plans and approaching new donors they hope to achieve their next target and get support for every running and expected programme.