 Training on Fundraising Basics Showed NGOs How to Work with Donors
From June 30 to July 2, in the framework of the component “Development of capabilities of NGOs in drug prevention”, a training on fundraising basics was held for the representatives of Belarusian NGOs engaged in drug prevention, harm reduction and rehabilitation of drug users. The expert trainer Svetlana Kuts taught the participants to improve the organizational capacity and financial sustainability of an organization.
In the course of the training, the expert shared her experience on the methods and techniques designed to determine organizational readiness in fundraising, showed how to look for donors, get donor support, communicate and develop strong relationships with donors. Much attention was also paid to the practical part, where participants shared their own experience and received the opportunity to study international cases.
Representatives from a number of NGOs engaged in drug prevention, harm reduction and rehabilitation of drug users, took part in the training. Among those present were “Mothers Against Drugs”, “Life” rehabilitation center, “Christian Children’s Fund”, “Positive Movement”, “Fialta” youth education center, Belarusian Association of UNESCO Clubs, “Belarusian Community of People Living with HIV”, international public association “Social Help” and many others.
Training evaluation has shown that participants received tools and instruments on analysis of their organizational capacity to conduct successful fundraising campaigns, trained skills in communication with donors, learned about instruments (campaigns, events, mail, Internet).
Many participants expressed their willingness to participate in the additional seminars on this topic to deepen their knowledge of the subject and address in more detail such issues as strategic planning, leadership and team building, and social marketing. Besides, participants also learned many ways and methods on how to work with donors, such as international humanitarian and technical assistance, charity and donations from organizations and private individuals. However, the issue on how to make the registration of such assistance in Belarus comply with the local laws and regulations still remained open. Therefore, it has become necessary to conduct additional seminar, where all the formalities of processing such assistance were addressed in more detail. |
