Hi Rev. Pastor,
I'd like to put you thru Jeff who has just created a LinkedIn group

"Family Homes For All Children"

This group offers a preliminary discussion space for those determined to act in the interest of children who are either institutionalised or living on the streets. There is no creed or branding, it is for anyone who wants to effect change. Our task has begun by focussing on Ukraine, where a critical mass of like minded individuals and organisations now exists.

Jeff today commented its mission as following:
What I hope to do here, is to build on the critical mass of those who've already gathered to express concerns over progress and obstructions.

Thinking our loud. We are likely to need a multi-lingual discussion forum in the short term and later perhaps the means to invest in and co-create projects in a host country with local partners.

My view, is that above all we must find ways of working together to overcome the problems. In this there is scope for the application of IT.

Jeff

posted March 25, 2009

Hello Pastor,

What is the total overall budget required for the project?
Also, what are the chief costs, is it raw materials for the actual construction, skilled labour?

If so, perhaps a route you could consider to help ease the burden would be to approach and build relationships with firms who have access to these raw materials; this could work in two ways:

a) Request support in the donation of raw materials (or corporate donations, specifically to buy localised building supplies in Africa)

Are there companies who have a base in Africa as well as the USA that may be open to providing such a donation? Can you research and find one? I’d suspect that it may be more effective to talk to companies where involvement could be mutually beneficial for the project and donor, e.g.

“Brand XYZs roofing solar panelled roofing tiles are powering a Ghanaian school, bringing light to classrooms and hot water to kitchens”

This type of news showcases the donor’s product, in an environment which adds value to the organisation. The donor could, for example use this case study as a technical exercise, or as a means of fulfilling aspects of their Corporate Social Responsibility agenda.

b) Establish a longer term relationship between a building firm and the project.

Could you sell this project to a large company as an opportunity to engage staff? I know first hand how rewarding it can be to work on a charitable project unpaid and to apply skills obtained in the workplace for a greater good.

How often, for example, does a site engineer, roofer, or ground worker etc feel the emptiness of creating another industrial, over priced, under engineered block of flats?

Are there companies that run sabbatical schemes for long serving staff that this project could be incorporated into? I think the chance of working on a real world project in Ghana could be a fantastic incentive that some companies could use to build morale within their organisations.

Even more simply, the donor company in this instance may only need to provide the actual sabbatical, the attendee could be the actual facilitator for generating revenue e.g. using sites such as JustGiving.com

This funds recruitment message (if deemed appropriate by the employer) could be passed around the organisations suppliers, clients etc whilst all the time reinforcing the donor companies involvement with the scheme in a relevant environment.

This is all hypothetical; I don't know enough about the building industry or the USA to recommend companies, but I think rather than a traditional fund raising approach where creating dollar donations counts, perhaps look at what the costly building blocks of the scheme are and go from there, tackle the big expenses first.

Also, how large is your congregation? You may find you have a wealth of talent sat in front of you each week, people such as PR Managers, Advertising or Media Professionals, even engineers, builders and those working within the industries which could activate buzz or ignite enthusiasm for what you are doing.

You may find donations of skills, contacts and brainpower first a better spring board to dollar donations.

If you are insistent on using a traditional collection method though, how about utilising the power of Facebook? Barrack Obama is one recent example of how millions of small donations can equate to a much larger overall prize, the key is to make it relevant and engaging, an not just “another charitable donation request’’ Is there a fun or participatory element the donor could undertake?

Could you run a competition to deign a mural for painting onto the school, or something else which is newsworthy enough to create a story in the community??

Links:

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7734414.stm
• http://www.gwalior.hospital.care4free.net/pages/sabbatical_break_india.html

posted March 25, 2009

Have you checked out MicroGiving.com, we-care.net, onecause.com, ebay causes, myspace social impact or any of the multitude of other free online fundraising opportunities? Also, you might potentially hook up with CauseCast. I hope this helps.

posted March 25, 2009

The Internet is filled with project management guides and toolkits for organizations such as yourself. The Development Gateway is a good place to look for such.

I have a free guide on fundraising for organizations in the developing world. It is NOT a list of funders; rather, it's a list of how to get your small NGO into a position to raise funds, and how to pitch. See URL below.

Links:

• http://www.developmentgateway.org
• http://www.coyotecommunications.com/outreach/grants.html

posted March 25, 2009

Pastor Wisdom: This is such a big topic you really need a sit-down with a professional development person in your city! meanwhile all the suggestions above are good ones. I would add listing your Cause on Facebook. And think about throwing Fundraising Houseparties (see my book on the topic at my website www.warshawski.com).
Good luck.

posted March 25, 2009