Targeted to Intermediate English (B1+) speakers.Read more
This is the standard requirement for most courses. Participants at this level can participate actively in discussions and manage everyday and professional situations. If they are unsure about their English level, they can test it here or explore our courses facilitated in Basic English.
Social Workers.Read more
The listed audiences are those for whom the course is especially recommended, but courses are not exclusive to them and are open to everyone. In fact, most of our workshops are built around the collective sharing of participants’ experiences and having a variety of profiles enriches the learning process and is highly encouraged!
Description
Most NGOs and civil society organizations are dependent on funding from external sources to finance their operations.
Grants, donations, and corporate partnerships are just some of the sources. While these can create valuable opportunities, they could also compromise the independence and transparency of the organization, thereby losing public trust.
For many organizations, finding funding is no longer enough. Employees are frequently expected to understand how to build responsible partnerships and how to locate funding opportunities that remain aligned with the organization’s mission, values, and social impact.
This course explores how NGO organizations and third-sector workers can approach fundraising and external partnerships in a more ethical, transparent, and sustainable way.
Participants will be introduced to best practices for exploring funding opportunities while maintaining heightened awareness of the ethical aspects, as well as the importance of transparency throughout.
The focus will be on some of the common sources of funds used in the third sector, as well as how organizations approach donors, foundations, and potential corporate partners.
Through practical workshops, discussions and real-life case studies, participants will have the chance to: discuss fundraising situations from real life, practice presenting their organization’s pitch to potential supporters, as well as swap experiences and best practices with professionals from other NGOs and civil society organizations.
The course will also encourage participants to reflect critically on questions of accountability, organizational independence, and ethical decision-making.
The emphasis throughout the course is on the practicalities rather than on theory alone. Participants will draw on their own experience, challenge existing approaches, and weigh up alternative ways of working.
By the end of the course, participants will feel more confident and better equipped to make justifiable funding decisions.
They will have a better understanding of the potential pitfalls of funding and will have gained practical ideas for cultivating funding relationships responsibly and sustainably.
What is included
Learning outcomes
The course will help participants to:
- Understand the main funding models used by NGOs and civil society organizations;
- Identify opportunities and risks connected to different funding sources and partnerships;
- Prepare and deliver clear and credible funding pitches for donors and external partners;
- Apply a clear approach for handling the ethical questions related to funding decisions;
- Identify situations where funding conditions could compromise direction or independence;
- Assess how financial information is currently communicated within their organization and where gaps exist;
- Define practical steps needed to strengthen accountability;
- Compare funding approaches and governance practices across different organizations.
- Identify and implement best practices;
- Develop and adopt a sustainable approach to ethically securing and managing funds.
Tentative schedule
Day 1 – Introduction to the course
- Introduction to the course and the Academy;
- Introduction to the host city and the week’s cultural activities;
- Icebreaker activities;
- Presentations of the participants’ schools and institutions.
Understanding how the funding of NGOs and civil society organizations works in practice
- How NGOs and civil society organizations are funded in practice;
- Mapping participants’ own funding structures and organizational realities;
- Exploring dependency, sustainability and organizational priorities;
- Reflection: how different sources of funds can shape an organization’s behavior.
Day 2 – Approaching and making a pitch to potential donors and corporate partners
- Understanding relationships with donors, sponsors and corporate partners;
- Principles of ethical communication and responsible fundraising;
- Developing and presenting a funding pitch;
- Workshop: presenting participants’ organizations and projects to potential supporters;
- Reflection on credibility, trust and realistic impact communication.
Day 3 – Transparency and public trust
- Why transparency matters in the third sector;
- How financial information is communicated in real-life situations;
- Analyzing real examples of reporting, communication and accountability practices;
- How transparency affects stakeholders’ trust in the organization;
- Reflection: participants’ own organizational practices.
Day 4 – Organizational governance and financial responsibility
- Organizational governance and financial responsibility;
- Identifying risks, blind spots and ethical dilemmas in funding relationships;
- Exploring internal accountability and decision-making processes;
- How ‘’blindspots’’ in oversight can arise;
- Workable ways to boost internal control mechanisms.
Day 5 – Sustainable and ethical funding
- Reviewing key learning points and practical insights;
- Evaluating participants’ current funding approaches and identifying areas for improvement;
- Collaborative discussion: sustainable and values-based fundraising practices;
- Developing a personal action plan for future partnerships and funding strategies;
- Final reflection and peer feedback;
- Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
- Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance.
Day 6 – Structured cultural activities
- Structured cultural activity(ies) according to the hosting location;
- Learning journal: individual written reflection on the course experience;
- Course reflection: self-reflection and review of course materials and resources.
Download or share
Add to favouritesGet weekly recaps on confirmed sessions!
