In the last ten years the number of organisations seeking to raise funds in the South has grown rapidly. There has also been a dramatic increase in the numbers of civil society organisations whilst funding patterns have altered significantly. International donors have been decentralising funding decisions to their regional offices and increasingly funding via Southern governments. Private foundations and International NGOs have also decentralised, and there have been shifts in thematic and geographic focus for aid. Social enterprise, corporate social responsibility and private/public partnerships have all been on the rise. In some cases international NGOs are starting to compete for local funding with indigenous NGOs as they seek to expand beyond their crowded home markets. In all of the countries where this is happening there is a huge shortage of professionally trained and experienced fundraisers. Training which is available tends to be brief, not systematic or sustained, and of variable quality and appropriateness. The lack of professionalism in fundraising creates problems for NGO credibility.
Since 2008, AWDF has supported a minimum of 100 women leaders from grantee organisations across the continent to the International Workshop on Resource Mobilisation (IWRM) organised by the Resource Alliance UK and with administrative support from AWDF. The primary aim of the IWRM is to provide an opportunity for people who work in the not-for-profit organisations to receive training in practical fundraising skills and other aspects of resource mobilization such as writing grant proposals. It also focuses on helping delegates to diversify their funding base to become more sustainable and less reliant on donor grants.
This year AWDF will convene thirty (26) fundraisers from grantee organizations in Kampala in May in a practical workshop on the development of a resource mobilization strategy document. The development of this strategy document forms a critical part of grantees’ effort at mobilizing resources for their organizations. And as part of AWDF’s core mandate of ensuring sustainability of women’s right organisations, it is important that we put in place measures that will move grantees to the next level of developing funding strategies in support of their resource mobilization efforts especially after sponsoring these organizations to the IWRM and GIMPA courses.
In this workshop, AWDF will be targeting about twenty-six (26) fundraisers from grantee organizations who have been trained at the IWRM and GIMPA but have not been able to develop a resource mobilization strategy document. Participants will be drawn from organisations from grantee organisations who have participated in the IWRM or GIMPA courses.
I am one of the participants privileged to take part in this Resources Mobilisation boot camp. It is day three of the workshop. Our Resources Mobilisation strategy is taking shape. Facilitators are taking us through the process step by step. By the end of the workshop I will return home with a finalised version of our Resources Mobilisation strategy, an implementation plan and monitoring plan for the strategy. What excites me most is the fact that a mentor will be assigned to work with our organisation over a period of seven months. I am confident that we will not fail to meet our set targets.
Gertrude Pswarayi, Director, Creative Centre for Communication and Development in Zimbabwe
Thanks to AWDF for this opportunity to develop our Resource Mobilization Strategy! SAYWHAT is in the process of reviewing its Strategic Plan and I see this as a a lifetime opportunity to strengthen our skills and complement our institutional development process and ensure organisational sustainability. Its time that young people get on the map and learn skills to effectively manage their resources! And Thank You AWDF for helping us get on the map and for supporting our initiatives towards the SRHR needs of young women!!
Vimbai Mlambo, SAYWHAT Web for Life Coordinator, Harare, Zimbabwe – @ the BOOT Camp!
I feel very proud and fulfilled to have designed this training Boot Camp in response to AWDF’s grantees Resource Mobilisation challenge. I feel encouraged by the 100% participation, commitment and energy levels of all the organisations at the Boot Camp. It is intensive, hands on and practical. First of its kind at AWDF and l believe by any women’s fund in Africa! I feel energised and like all partners here that at the end of the 4 days’ Boot Camp, we will have 26 draft resource mobilisation strategic documents developed. The next stage is to support these organisations in the implementation process through a carefully designed mentoring and coaching plan. Well done to all the organisations for the commitments shown so far. The facilitation team (AWDF & Resource Alliance) Gertrude, myself, Robina & Hugben, we were awesome! Tomorrow, 31 May is the end of the Boot Camp and it’s been splendid!
Resource Mobilization Boot Camp in Uganda organized By African Women Development Fund – AWDF was a real get to work practical way of enhancing our skills and capacity as young and local based women rights organization on resource mobilization. In the past years we have been searching for resources so blindly with no focus. This training is a real eye opener for me as the lead resource mobilizer in my organization. the training has made me more focused and result oriented. one great achievement for CLREAD is that through this Boot Camp, the organization now have 2014 -2016 Resource Mobilization Strategy Draft. This has changed my Thinking and our organization is going to set a Resource Mobilization Team. Thanks to AWDF and all her donors that made this Boot Camp a success.
I have been honoured to be part of this boot camp organanised by AWDF. It has been very empowering and results based whereby for each session covered we had to write a chapter of our organisation’s Resource Mobilisation strategy. This was very inspiring but brain challenging. I can now say I am beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel since it has become more clearer on how EASSI will mobilise resources for growth and sustainability.
It has been worth an experience. THANK YOU AWDF -ASANTE
Christine Nankubuge, Programmes Director- EASSI
Wonderful environment, empowering organizations, amazing atmosphere and truly engaging facilitating made this workshop one of the best I have attended in a long time.
I am very inspired by the workshop as resource mobilisation is one of the things that organisations’ need but are wary to delve into. Participating in the workshop simplified this for me and leaving with a draft Resource Mobilisation Strategy is makes it all the more worthwhile.
Amy Oyekunle, Executive Director, KIND
I would like to thank AWDF for giving grass root organizations this opportunity of developing a resource mobilization strategy. The facilitators are perfectly doing their work by ensuring that every participant is at the same level, and i already have draft one of Resource Mobilization strategy for my organization. The training has been so participatory since each participant knows her/his organization better. This has helped to build my capacity to be able to mentor other people in the organization. I am happy that i will go back with a draft document that will guide us in mobilizing resources which the organization had never developed before.
I am one of the participants of this Resource Mobilization boot camp training.
The resource mobilization training is very practical. I never had such practical training before. The African Women’s Development Fund is empowering w omen’s organizations by building their capacity besides providing program grants. The resource mobilization training helped me to design draft resource mobilization strategy to my organization. This is a great opportunity for me and for my organization too.
Kidist Belete
Executive Director
Developing Families Together
AWDF, Iam humbled and appreciative for this well thought out Resource Mobilization Boot .This workshop is one of its kind that put our brains to a commendable gymnastics which every participants appreciated.we shall go back with a wealth of knowledge we have tapped from these seasoned facilitators and hope to bring the Change we would wish to see in Africa and the World at large. NUWECHI promises to play forward your good work and make use of the Resource mobilization strategy which has never been in place hence a challenge in raising fund for the organisation . For sure, after this training, African women are set to shine. “Long Live the Management of AWDF,Long Live African women Change activists”
Ur doing a wonderful work
Ntulume Village Women Development Association is previledged to be part of the participants in Resource Mobilisation Boot Camp taking place in Kampala 27th-31st May 2013. The three days workshop has equipped us with uniques skills in Resource Mobilisation Strategy Development. the workshop has been quite partipatory with caring facilitators and AWDF team. We really appreciate the input into our organisation. We hope the strategy drafts will turn into real working documents. Your further support through mentoring is requested for. Bravo!!!!!!!!!!
Cissy Edith Nyarwa – Programme Coordinator-NVIWODA-Uganda
The AWDF boot camp on resource mobilization (May 28-31, 2013)Kampala was indeed very impactful! The critical success factors of resource mobilization especially as it relates to women’s group were taught in a manner that have transformed participants into effective resource mobilizers and increased their capacity as change agents. As one of the participants, I am also very excited about the 7 month mentoring program that follows the boot camp! Thanks to AWDF and supporters that made this experience possible.
Joy Ngwakwe-Center for Advancement of Development Rights (CEADER)- Nigeria
Well CECOE didnt participate in the previous Resource Mobilization workshop but we hope on of us will be considered one day and wish those who have been privileged to attend this well as we ago the work done by Afrin Women Development fund.
Indeed, Nafi, Robin and the other AWDF colleagues have been so
wonderful. After the tough and inspiring work under their guidance at
Serena, we safely back home office today and continue working on the
Draft- RM strategy document we developed together. Many thanks to AWDF
again for their generous investment and wise effort driving African
women organizations accelerative long-term
Kind Regards,
Gojjam Bayessa Erena
Fundraising and Programme Manager
Negemelelakennew HIV Positive Women Support Organization,(NLK),
Address: Pissa –Medenalem – Shogale.
Road P.O. Box 59611, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Office Phone: 000 251 112 78
Gulele Sub City Kebele 19/20,
N, Building Second Floor, In front of Etenesh Building
Cell Phone: +251 924405907
Email: negemlelaken@yahoo.com/begwallo@gmail.com www. Nlk.org.et
The AWDF boot camp on resource mobilization (May 28-31, 2013)Kampala was indeed exceptional opportunity for organization like NLK.We trust this opportunity will enable us to become more creative and productive in our work and indeed order better long term future of my organization – NLK and all other participant organizations as well
EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY- The AWDF boot camp on resource mobilization (May 28-31, 2013)Kampala
The AWDF boot camp on resource mobilization (May 28-31, 2013)Kampala was indeed exceptional opportunity for organization like NLK.We trust this opportunity will enable us to become more creative and productive in our work and indeed order better long term future of my organization – NLK and all other participant organizations as well.
Gojjam Bayessa Erena, program Manager
Negem Lela Ken New HIV Positive Women Support Organization(NLK)- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
we at cabs diagnostics would like to be part of mobilisation team
The Centre for Legal Rights Education, Advocacy and Development -CLREAD thank AWDF for several opportunities offered to the organization [capacity building and grants] since 2011. with the support from AWDF, CLREAD now is focus in its resource mobilization.
We are Happy that CLREAD have started seeing the Fruits of its Resource Mobilization Strategy 2014-2016
We know partner with the office of the Attorney General Department of Legal Aid and Recently 9 of our Community Resource Persons and Paralegals benefited from a 5 days Training on Criminal laws and Procedures.
the Knowledge acquired in this training will benefit our target groups [Women Sex workers and Women Prisoners] The Validation meeting in Nairobi organized by AWDF in August 2013 also helped CLREAD to meet and share ideas FEMNET and UHAI.
May God Bless all AWDF staff, donors and Partners for their warm support.
Thanks for your great work.I have worked with NGOs and im currently doing my masters in env and community development and would be interested to pursue the field of resource mobilization towards building capacity and supporting development groups in Kenya.Please advice how I can get involved in your work on resource mobilization in Nairobi,Kenya.
0726115697
Kind regards