September 2000

Analysis has focussed on two broad areas – qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative analysis has led to our being able to rate the quality of the Annual Reports and recommend how to produce better Annual Reports. The more detailed quantitative analysis has resulted in some interesting facts on income and sources

– Sir Ratan Tata Trust Rs14.64 crore

– HelpAge India Rs12.95 crore

– World Wide Fund for Nature Rs10.16 crore

An analysis of the income source shows that, 39% of income is raised from international sources. Another way of looking at the income is that 57% is grant income from national and international sources; 10% is donated by the public and 33% is self-generated.

Prof Bob Worcester, MORI Research Institute

We have observed that voluntary organisations respond less professionally than commercial organisations when it comes to satisfying their customers (donors). They are much more likely to experience good, efficient, planned, friends customer service at the hands of their bank or their favourite airline or their petrol bunk even their local restaurants than they are likely to experience at the hands of their favourite charity.

The truth is that people really care about the causes they support and it really matters to them. Here are a few practical hints:

Be committed. You have to believe in donor service. If you are not committed your committed donors may find an organisation that may do better personal service to them.

Be properly resourced. You need adequate staff or volunteers and adequate materials to operated a donor relations department. So budget for all those costs.

Be consistent. Donors and supporters should know what to expect and be able to rely on it. Do not confuse them by shifting priorities drastically. For example, if your previous appeals were on child development, don’t shift the programmes to old age homes.

Be quick. Don’t let your donors wait, wondering what’s happening. A prompt response is a response from someone who cares. If you can’t respond immediately, or within hors, at least you can get a letter sent within two days.

Be appropriate. Tailor your responses to your donors. They cannot comprehend highly philosophical details nor complicated economic jargons.

Be personal. Use your donor service strategy to build relationships. Use your database to record personal information for future use. People universally liked to be noticed, they like to be remembered. People like people who are nice to them

Be known. It pays to advertise. Put your telephone numbers and contact addresses on all your publications. And show your people. Give them names and faces. People relate to people.

Be meticulous. Keep good records. Always do what you say you will. Live upto your organisation’s ideals

Be there. Improve your supporter service. Be on call. When they want to visit the programme site, be a good host.

Be open. If something has gone wrong or if you can’t deliver, admit it.

(Tips outline source courtesy: Ken Burnett)

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Key elements of a successful fundraising strategy;

Fundraising sources including individuals, companies and institutional sources, donor agencies fundraising events, overseas contacts, tourism and support in kind;

How to write an effective fundraising proposal;

Specific legal and tax matters which must be kept in mind during fundraising and

The importance of communication and public relations – the need to effectively communicate to a potential donor and the public at large, what you are doing why your work is important and why funds are crucial.

The book is replete with case studies and real life examples, which illustrate the practical advice that the authors give. There are also exercises and checklists to help the reader relate the advice in the book to the specific situation of their own organizations The book concludes with an appendix which provides information on useful organizations and networks in Indian and a lot of publications for further reading.

This timely and valuable book will be of interest to non-governmental and other voluntary organizations involved in development work or charitable activity, training organizations and networks, international development organizations and donor agencies, and organisations involved in advocacy and campaigning.

Basic skills in publishing an annual report

Improving your newsletter

Building donor relations

Brochure designing

Media relations

How to organise a direct mail campaign

Good governance – involving Boards in fundraising

Event management

Database management in Access 2000

Starting up fundraising

Internet communication and fundraising

Ideas into words – plans and proposal writing

Introduction to the voluntary sector

All the courses have a duration of two-and-a-half days and the course fee is Rs 1,500 which includes three days lunch and snacks; course materials and faculty charges. Accommodation will be arranged on request which will be charged extra. Medium of instruction will be in English.

creating a common platform for interactions and networking

providing an opportunity for learning and sharing experience, and

offering table space and display boards for exhibition