March 2001

1. People give to people generously when they are emotionally shaken. In the case of Gujarat, the emotions – as in all disasters - were short-lived, as media coverage tapered in three weeks. One organisation in Bangalore, which held an exhibition, initially promised that the event’s proceeds would go to Gujarat, later dropped the idea. Is it because the Gujarat disaster doesn’t appeal to any one any more?
   There are three challenges here for fundraisers:
   - To respond quickly and efficiently to people who give at times of disaster to acknowledgement their generosity and to prepare them to support long-term reconstruction
   - To present the long term reconstruction needs of communities in such a way as people will provide support, even if they did not respond at the time of the disaster - and
   - Emotional appeals get response, whether for disasters of for a social cause. But as a general rule: people don’t give unless the cause touches their heart. The challenge for the fundraiser of tough and important development causes, is to present the information in such a way as hearts are touched.
2. The voluntary sector still needs to improve its coordination For the Gujarat disaster there was improved coordination in the disaster area and in some cities in India, but many organisations, which enthusiastically involved in activities such as sending doctors, collecting clothes, dispatching all kinds of items burnt their fingers collecting unwanted items and incurring debts on expenses. This could have been reduced by better coordination and management within the voluntary sector. Voluntary organisations must work hard to come together to share information, prevent duplication of response and facilitate a coordinated support to the organisations struggling in the disaster area.
3. How much has been donated and what is happening? We have not yet seen any statement in the press or on the TV as to how much money has been raised by the Prime Ministers Relief Fund; or by most of the Newspapers (who have raised Crores of Rupees) or by the main voluntary organisations. Are we even bothered to ask questions?
4. Volunteers Lastly a word on volunteerism: It was good to see many people showing their willingness to become ‘general’ volunteers in Gujarat. But within days there was an urgent appeal from Jan Vikas, a nodal agency in Ahmedabad, saying PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY MORE VOLUNTEERS. A newsletter ‘Talking Volunteerism’, A Pravah Publication in Delhi in its editorial writes: ‘The dearth of trained volunteers in Gujarat once again underscores the fact that while everyone can be a volunteer, NOT everyone can volunteer for everything. …..in the absence of effective volunteer coordination even the best intentions and world class volunteer efforts can come to naught.’ (pravah@ndf.vsnl.net.in)

- Jacob Varghese

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Workshop on Internet for communication and fundraising
Oversubscribed!

Murray Culshaw Advisory Services – mcas - continues training courses to help organisations build public support. Our workshop on Internet communication and fundraising (March 21-23) was oversubscribed! All those who have lost their chance in attending this one may sign up for the next workshop on the same topic in August 2001. Exact dates will be announced later.

The workshop which concluded today - covered the following topics: Internet and organisational communication and management; PDF posters and campaigns; Mass personalised email campaigns; Effective websites; Using internet for organisational effectiveness; and Consolidating your online presence

The Mahiti team led by Sunil Abraham (Ashoka Fellow) conducted the workshop. Mahiti is a leading IT group in Bangalore helping the voluntary sector with internet solutions. They also provide backend support to (Bangalore) Explocity.com, a part of an international mass media network.

All mcas training programmes work towards encouraging public fundraising. If yours is a voluntary organisation already doing resource mobilisation from the Indian public (including NRIs) or is planning to do so in the future these workshops will help you to communicate effectively and raise more funds.

Publishing good Annual Reports for building public credibility

This is the third time mcas is conducting the workshop on Publishing Good Annual Reports. This is a very practical training, which will enable you to produce your best ever cost-effective annual report for public communication. The content includes: Importance, scope and ingredients of good annual reports, reports that build credibility and raise funds; concept and design principles; presentation of abridged financial information with charts and diagrams; Expanding your database of well-wishers and donors for wide-scale distribution.

Murray Culshaw, who leads this workshop, has done extensive research on publishing good annual reports by voluntary organisations in India. Research entitled ‘Building Credibility’ based on the findings of his 1999 study is available at the mcas bookshop. (Price: Rs200). (Write to: mcas@fundraising-india.org) This year mcas is expanding the research to cover 100 Indian organisation.

If you are interested to attend email us to see if there is a last minute seat available. Send your mail to training@fundraising-india.org

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Insightful quotes
from our workshop on Brochures and Fundraising Appeals (Feb 14-16)

There is nothing like a general brochure with just information. Everything can be made innovative with a powerful message to seek support. The rule here is: Minimum input – maximum output. Brochures can be a small card size, yet very effective.
- Krishnaveni, Trainer and lead content writer for IndiaCares

I want to involve my potential donors in the work, which I am doing. I will engage the reader by captioning my brochure… ‘Yes, I want to become a distant healer.’
- Dr Regi M George, Tribal Health Initiative, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu

Through this brochure (created in the workshop) I want to change the mindset of the educated disillusioned… that there is hope in this world, and encourage the reader to make a commitment: ‘Yes, I can change the world… turning waste land into fertile land.’
- Mary John, Timbakthu Collective – working with wasteland development in Andhra Pradesh

Everyone in a voluntary organisation must fundraise as a part of their duty. Never wait for foreign funds to get exhausted. Fundraising is an activity for the whole year. Last minute panic will never work. If you don’t think of a rainy day, you don’t take your work seriously.
- Veera Rao, fundraiser, ALERT India, Mumbai

(Next issue of Fundraising-India newsletter will publish an exclusive interview with Smt Veera Rao, sharing her experience as a fundraiser for the past 26 years.)

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http://sn.apc.org SANGONeT
is a regional electronic information and communications network for development and human rights workers in South Africa.

http://www.healthnet.org SatelLife
is an international not-for-profit organization employing satellite, telephone and radio networking technology to serve the health communication and information needs of countries in the developing world

http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/poverty/asia The Canadian International Development Agency established a Poverty Reduction Projec Website in the hopes that a large array of colleagues in the NGO, academic, other donor communty and anyone from anywhere around the world would share their views on this imprtant issue of pvoerty reduction.

http://www.panasia.org.sg The Pan Asia Networking (PAN)
program of Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) pioneers information networking in Asia, linking together people and computer-based information resources on sustainable development from Asian organizations

http://sdgateway.net The SD Gateway
integrates the online information developed by a network of some of the world's leading sustainable development institutes. These organisations have formed the Spinning the Web Network in order to improve their online products and services to help you quickly learn about the policies and practices necessary for sustainable development.

http://www.unido.org United Nations Industrial Development Organisation
UNIDO aims to improve the living conditions of people and promote global prosperity through offering tailor-made solutions for the sustainable industrial development of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

Links courtesy www.indev.org

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Compiled and edited by Jacob C. Varghese
Send all queries to mcas@fundraising-india.org This newsletter has a present circulation of 1,500. If you find the information useful to friends or any other organisations, please forward this newsletter to them.

mcas 314/1 ‘Vijay Kiran’ 2^nd Floor 7^th Cross Domlur Layout Bangalore 560 071 India
Tel: 080-535 2003 email mcas@fundraising-india.org

MURRAY CULSHAW ADVISORY SERVICES – mcas (website: www.fundraising-india.org) functions 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 (www.bangalorecares.org) – an initiative to help the voluntary sector in Karnataka and IndiaCares, an online one-to-one fundraising service through the web portal www.indiacares.org

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