May 2005
January 2001
Fundraising-India January 2001
Welcome
to the monthly e-mail newsletter of
MURRAY CULSHAW ADVISORY SERVICES - mcas
We function from Bangalore serving the voluntary sector predominantly in India. We offer training on fundraising and communication, undertake research on issues pertaining to the voluntary sector, publish books and maintain a highly reliable database of about 7,000 organisations in India. We are one of the promoters of Bangalore Cares – an initiative to help the voluntary sector in Karnataka and IndiaCares, an online one-to-one fundraising service through the web portal to be launched soon.
IN THIS ISSUE
Feature Tewa Nepal: Stability through local resource mobilisation
Resourceful sites Accountability through AccountAid
Article Medium influences the message
- Workshop on Brochures and Fundraising Appeals
- Advanced workshop on Effective Presentations
- mcas Summer 2001 Training Schedule
Check it out! Useful hyperlinks
You'll find mcas-e-news in your e-mail
box once a month.
Questions? Comments? We hope you will join our fraternity and send your
feed back to mcas@fundraising-India.org.
If you don’t want this free newsletter please write ‘unsubscribe’ on
the subject line and send back to us. If you are getting more than one
copy, please let us know.
Feature
Tewa Nepal: Stability through local resource mobilisation
I had the opportunity to visit Tewa Nepal in Kathmandu during the last week of December and chat with its programme manager Deepak Dewan. My visit was inspired by its Director Rita Thapa’s talk at the 12th South Asia Fundraising Group workshop in New Delhi last October. Tewa (which means ‘support’ in Nepali language) is an exemplary example of how a voluntary organisation can move away from foreign aid dependency, and serves as a valuable model of self-reliant development.
Just four years old, Tewa has reached its endowment goal of Nepali Rs1.5 crore (Indian Rs85 lakh); trained and mobilized 140 fundraising volunteers, involved over 700 Nepali donors and given out about N-Rs4 million in grants to105 rural women’s groups in 39 districts of Nepal. Many of their small donors are women. The emphasis is on volunteers doing face-to- face fundraising and on organising occasional events – such as a sponsored walk. Facts we have taken from the Tewa website www.catmando.com/tewa indicate that in 1997 income was N-Rs was 19 Lakh; 41% came from Nepali individuals, 40% came from foreign individuals; 12% from corporate donors. It is most encouraging that Tewa has been able to raise public funds within for women’s issues under the difficult environment of Nepal. A further important point is that Tewa gives grants out to small groups – who subsequently have given donations back to Tewa!
Quoting Rita Thapa from an article published in @lliance*: "Tewa’s grantee groups are very varied, ranging from those that are just registering their own organisations after being involved in savings and credit groups to those that are beginning to advocate on issues like trafficking of women and women’s rights to property. Some of those women are working hard to assert their space and independence through suitable income generation activities such as opening a community retail store or working as a birth attendant. So far 11 grantee groups are also donors to Tewa. This year a Tewa grantee was invited into Tewa members during the Annual General Assembly. In this way Tewa hopes to change the power relation between donor and grantee to make it one of mutual support and respect."
Tewa’s remarkable success, considering the country’s economic situation has been largely due to the fact that it was able to build and endowment at the very beginning. The support, both moral and practical, that it received from existing international funds like Mama Cash of Netherlands and the Global Fund for Women was a significant factor here. Today an ongoing relation of mutual goodwill, support and learning exists for both sides.
For more information about Tewa contact tewa@mail.com.np
Tewa has published a beautiful little book titled Twice Blessed: The Art of Giving; Pages 45 Price NRs 100 including the cost of dispatch. (Also available in Nepalese.) This book provides insightful learning, and wisdom for anyone engaged in fundraising or philanthropy promotion anywhere in the world.
*@lliance: Building resources for the community worldwide is a fascinating quarterly magazine on global trends in philanthropy, published by Charities Aid Foundation UK. The price is 35 Pounds a year (Indian Rs2,300). For subscription, write to Alliance Magazine, CAF Administration Services, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME 19 4TA, UK or email alliance@caf.charitynet.org
editor
Resourceful websites
AccountAbility through AccountAid (www.accountaid.net)
AccountAid India is a private consulting group, which works with Grant-making agencies and voluntary organisations (VOs) on accounting and related issues. These issues include accounting structures, compliance with FCRA, Income Tax, Societies Act, budgeting and donor reporting. AccountAid works only through Agencies and does not accept fees or fee-based assignments from implementing VOs.
AccountAid looks at the concept of 'AccountAbility' from two angles: skills in Accounting and Ability to account for funds. Both are today critically important for the voluntary sector. They publish an excellent and informative monthly circular called ‘Accountable’ on accounting and legal issues, which affect VOs. You can free-subscribe ‘Accountable’ through email.
AccountAid India also provides advice on accounting and related problems (without any charge) to VOs, on a confidential basis. This service is called 'QuestionAble'. However please note that AccountAid does not provide an FCRA liaison service.
You can reach them (Monday-Friday; 9:30 - 5:30) at:
AccountAid India, 55-B, Pocket C, Sidhartha Extension, New Delhi 110 014
Phone: 91-11-6833028 Fax: 91-11-6924852 email: accountaid@vsnl.com
Article
Medium influences the meaning
In the late 70s the grand old philosopher of mass media, Marshall McLuhan, came up with the axiom - Medium is the Message - which, in short, means that medium determines the message and its meaning. Every medium, whether it is print or radio or TV or the most recent one - the world wide web through internet has to be understood and content specially developed.
A few organisations are now catching up with the web world for wider exposure. However, compared to the corporate sector, the voluntary organisations in India need more time to catch up with this extraordinary medium. A few reasons for this delay can be attributed to: Only a few persons in an organisation have easy access to the internet as it is expensive; connectivity is often not easy, thanks to our telecom department; rural areas are not blessed with local connectivity and STD costs dearly. Web designers are expensive and they flock into urban centres. A few organisations like www.mahiti.org and British Council's www.indev.org help voluntary organisations in creating web-sites. The best of internet is email communication because it doesn't need surfing as we can read and write our messages offline. It is fast and we can get an immediate response.
Voluntary organisations are beginning to use email for sending newsletters such as this one you are getting from us. One very good example is the email newsletter issued by MESCO, Mumbai. Send them a message to: mescotrust@mescotrust.org and ask to be put on their mailing list. At the SAFRG November 2000 Workshop, Kazi Akhtar-UL-Islam from MESCO mentioned that they are delighted with the response to their email newsletter and that it has produced numerous donations from existing donors and from donors ‘out of the blue’. (Avoid sending attachments, which may carry viruses and picture files that take time to download.)
As the print medium is still active and has more shelf value, many organisations may use this medium to present organisational activity profiles and fundraising appeals. Let us assume that you want to reach a vast number of potential donor through a direct mail campaign. The direct mail pack must contain a brochure, an appeal letter, the response form and a self addressed reply envelope. If you want the receiver to read and react to your message, the packaging must be done attractive and the message should be clear and short.
New computer software packages such as Photoshop and Corel Draw offer many options to enhance the visual effect of brochures and letters. Although it is an advantage to have access to a copywriter and a graphic artist, certain skills can be learnt to produce innovative printed materials. We advocate for simple, but elegant designs. One or two colours can do magic if you can think creatively.
Many voluntary organisations do not give adequate attention to persuasive messages or visual graphics and if done poorly, brochures can give a bad impression on the work done. As somebody said, 'it is not enough that you do excellent work in the field, it also should appear excellent to others'. When we write a letter seeking some response, it must influence the reader to act immediately. It is important to choose the right words, right layout, right colours and appealing visuals.
Medium influences the meaning of the message. It can build a credible image, create an organisational personality and influence support - financial or otherwise.
Be in Bangalore on Feb 14 to 17
- Workshop on Brochures and Fundraising Appeals
- Advanced workshop on Presentation Skills
mcas is conducting a three-day workshop on Brochures and Fundraising Appeals on Feb 14 -16 at its training centre in Domlur, Bangalore. . Admission limited to 22 participants only. On Feb 17th we are conducting a one-day advanced workshop on 'Presentation Skills'. Admission limited to 16 participants. We maintain low numbers to ensure intensive, practical and personalized training. The medium of instruction will be in English.
Course Fee for the three-day workshop is Rs1,850 and for the one-day advanced workshop is Rs750. If you want to attend both programmes the combined fee will be Rs2,500. The course fee will include course materials, lunch and refreshments for all days. Accommodation will be arranged if you contact us at least one month in advance, indicating your budget.
Our workshops are very practical and 'hands-on' enabling all participants to prepare concepts and dummies to take back to their organisation for finalisation, printing and distribution.
If you are interested, please write to: training@fundraising-india.org and send the DD in favour of 'Murray Culshaw Advsory Services' payable at Bangalore. Our address is: mcas 314/1 'Vijay Kiran' 2nd Floor 7th Cross Domlur Layout Bangalore 560 071 Our telephone number is 080-535 2003. Last date of application: 31st January, 2001
mcas Summer 2001 Training Schedule
3-day courses
Feb 14 - 16 Brochures and Appeals - for fundraising
March 21 - 23 Internet - for communication and fundraising
April 4 - 6 Annual Report - For building credibility
May 23 - 25 Newsletters - a great way to communicate
June 20 - 22 Public Fundraising - the basics of a strategy
1-day advanced workshops
Feb 17 Presentations - making your point clear
March 24 Direct mail - for wide-scale support for your cause
April 7 Events - to raise awareness and funds
May 26 Media relations - vital for building public support
June 23 Good governance - involving your Board
We look forward to seeing you.
Director - Training
Books available from the mcas centre
Understanding Print
Media for Advocacy - A User's Handbook
(The result of a research
supported by the National Foundation for India; also includes practical
guidance on improving relations with the media.)
Published by Communication for Development and Learning,
Price: Rs60 Pages: 32 Published: May 2000
Getting Started in
Fundraising
(A practical primer for those
wanting to make a start - all case-studies are drawn from experience in
India.)
Published by Sage Publications, New Delhi.
Authors: Michael Norton and Murray Culshaw;
Price: Rs225 Pages: 158 Published: August 2000
A Guide to Resource
Mobilisation for Voluntary Organisations in India
(Information on support
organisations, publications, websites, techniques, experiences – a very
valuable collection of information, for all involved in fundraising.)
Published by South Asia Fund Raising Group, New Delhi
Price: Rs180 Pages: 80 Published: June 2000
Directory of
Voluntary Organisations in Karnataka along
with Supplement 2000
Published by Bangalore Cares
(Includes information on over 500 voluntary organisations in Karnataka)
Price: Rs250 Pages: 245 Published: December 1999
For all titles add Rs50 for handling and postage charges.
Send DD in favour of… ‘Murray
Culshaw Advisory Services’ … payable at Bangalore.
Mailing Address: mcas, 314/1 ‘Vijay Kiran’ 2nd Floor 7th Cross
Domlur Layout Bangalore 560 071 India Tel: 080-535 2003 email mcas@fundraising-india.org
Useful Links
Check it out!
http://www.ecommonwealth.net eCommonwealth
eCommonwealth.net is a gateway to
the Commonwealth and is there to serve commonwealth communities and
businesses and individuals. It is a virtual place where people,
communities and businesses from around the Commonwealth can come
together to promote their activities, conduct business or just keep
abreast of Commonwealth and world affairs.
http://www.earthtimes.org Earth Times
is published by the not-for-profit Earth Times Foundation, covers news
stories on environment, education, society, business, culture, media,
nature, politics and population.
http://www.eldgroup.fsnet.co.uk/ Education, Language & Development Training
Services (ELD)
ELD aims to enhance the communication skills of all development staff
through free training via the Internet, and through affordable and
flexible Distance Training Programmes. Its particular focus is on
improving effectiveness through training in Professional English in
such areas as Report Writing, Proposal Writing, etc.
http://www.ids.ac.uk/eldis/eldis.html -ELDIS
is a gateway to online information on development or the environment,
focusing on countries of the South.
http://www.gdnet.org/
Global Development Network
The Global Development Network
(GDN) aims to enhance the quality and availability of policy-oriented
research and strengthen the institutions which undertake this work. The
GDN offers tools, services and networking opportunities to help these
institutions and their members join together to fight poverty.
http://www.globalsolidarity.org The Coalition for Global Solidarity and Social
Development
The Coalition for Global Solidarity and Social Development is committed
to promoting real solidarity and alliances between progressive
movements and people's organisations, particularly in the South, and to
working actively to strengthen calls and concrete action to challenge
inequality and injustices, and for the promotion of sustainable
development, self-determination, and meaningful democracy–social,
economic, and political.
http://www.solutions-site.org/ HORIZON Communications
The purpose of this site is to provide a forum for the presentation of
solutions to vital concerns in the areas of health, population,
development and the environment. Initiatives are gathered through a
number of different means, including direct user submissions, the
efforts of partner institutions, and HORIZON's own research activities.
The case studies not only encourage the replication of existing
projects and provide information on how to do so, but also inspire the
development of new initiatives. The site provides readily accessible
peer reviewed answers to problems in environment, health, population
and development.
http://www.humana.org/ Humana People to People
The activities of Humana People to People are divided into 11 sectors.
Each sector works for development in a specific but also in a
broad-based and varied way. The sectors are: The Schools, Child Aid,
HOPE , Relief and Refugee Aid, Second Hand Clothes, From Communal to
Commercial Farmer, Environment, Commercial Companies, The Solidarity
Worker/ The Development Instructor, The Scholarship Program and
Partnership in Development.
http://www.humanscapeindia.org/ Humanscape
Humanscape is a monthly journal
of ideas, alternatives and action. It is a magazine that deals with the
need for social change and ways to bring about that change. It believes
in communicating the need for social change and alternative solutions
not just to a limited circle of activists and non-profit organisations,
but to every thinking, concerned reader.
Links courtesy www.indev.org
Please post us relevant upcoming events for and by the voluntary sector in your region. We shall publish it in forthcoming newsletters.
Compiled and edited by Jacob C. Varghese
Send all queries to mcas@fundraising-india.org
This newsletter has a present circulation of 1,200. If you find the
information useful to friends or any other organisations, please
forward this newsletter to them.
mcas 314/1 ‘Vijay Kiran’ 2nd
Floor 7th Cross Domlur Layout Bangalore 560 071 India
Tel: 080-535 2003 email mcas@fundraising-india.org