Maximizing Resource Mobilization for Small NGOs: A Comprehensive Guide and Strategy
We always come across the term ‘resource mobilization whether as an individual or an institution and what comes to our mind immediately is funds well, what is RESOURCE MOBILIZATION It is the process of all activities involved as a person or an organization in securing new and additional resources for your organization. So many small NGO have this impression that resource is all about money but know this, resources mobilization can include many different things, not just fund for your organization. Aside money, you can also raise support from philanthropist, volunteers you can also receive material donations for your organization; also you can get in-kind contribution from your own community as an organization not just depending on donor or partner alone.
In my years of experience working with small NGO they tend to depend solemnly on donors or partner for their resources to carry out their organization activities and that is why there are challenges whenever a donor project elapsed, know this that resource mobilization should not depend on donors funding alone ( proposal writing ) as an organization you can raise support from philanthropist, volunteers also receive material donations for your organization in-kind contribution from your own community knowing well that resources is vital for your operations.
Resource mobilization is very important to any organization:
Ensure organization Continuity of Services: It helps the organization to consistently provide services to the potential beneficiaries without interruptions. whether support, programs, or assistance, having the necessary as an organization resources makes your organization to fulfill its mission effectively and efficiently
Organizational Sustainability support: By mobilizing resources, your organization can sustain its operations over a very long period of time. Includes funding for staff salaries, administrative costs, and projects expenses. So as small NGO make more effort to ensure that your organization can or will effectively mobilize and manage the resource in a manner that allows you achieve your objectives. Know this that Sustainability make your organization faces challenges sometimes and remain impactful in the community of their operations
Allows Improvement and Scale-up: With much resources, your organization can improve and expand its scope of program activities. This involve enhancing existing organization programs, developing new initiatives that will be impactful to the beneficiates, or reaching to more people in need. Organization should have set of goals and objectives of their programs to carry out but when resources is limited it become a challenge for most small NGO so, they should have at mind in a strategy way to generate more resource with income generating activities internally, know this as a small NGO with much resource mobilized it allow allows you for innovation, growth, and better meeting the needs of your target beneficiaries.
RESOURCE MOBILIZATION PLAN
Define your organization program goals and objectives
When creating a resource mobilization plan the first step to clearly define is your program goals and objectives. What are the specific outcomes and impacts that you want to achieve with your organization program? How will you measure and check your progress and success? Ensure it is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals and objectives will help your organization communicate your value proposition and attract more potential donors and partners.
Conduct an organization resource mapping exercise
Step two is to do a resource mapping exercise for your organization which is a process of identifying and analyzing the existing and potential resources that are available and also needed for your program. Which includes financial and non-financial resources, e.g staff, volunteers, equipment, materials, facilities, networks, knowledge, skills, and relationships. Use a simple table to list the resources its sources, its availability, identify gaps by determining what additional resource may require to support the current and the future programs, and their prioritize resource according to their importance and urgency on your organization
During my several reviewing and assessment I realize that small NGO tend to rely on written proposal to funders or partner and once the grant is not secure it post a challenge to them knowing fully well that some of the grant at hand has a timeline of elapsing
Develop a resource mobilization strategy
According to the resource mapping exercise conducted by your organization, clearly develop a resource mobilization strategy that will shows how your organization will raise the financial resources needed for your program this may involve fundraising campaign also Identify the suitable funding sources and opportunities, such as grants, donations, sponsorships, events, social enterprises, the application process, the deadlines, the reporting requirements, and risks and challenges of each funding option.
Take an instance your organization can organize an event that attract philanthropist to support your goals, you can also raise support from the philanthropist, volunteers also you can also receive material donations for your organization while continually writing more proposal to secure more grants then have your strategy income generating activities plan in other to meet your objectives.
Create organizational partnership strategy
Partnership strategy is another very paramount area of your resource mobilization plan, outlines how your organization will partner or collaborate with other organizations (sister NGO or collations) and stakeholders to leverage their non-financial resources and support for your activities. Which includes recognize the potential partners and their interests, values, and goals, as well as the benefits and expectations of the collaboration. You should also look at the kinds and levels of partnership, such as information sharing, coordination, cooperation, or integration. As a small organization work together with other partner to develop your programs that leverage the resources of each other towards the same goals
Design an organization template resource mobilization plan
Finally let your organization write a resource mobilization plan template that shows the key elements of your resource mobilization plan in a very clear and concise format. Should be done by using a simple table of contents, including an executive summary providing a brief overview of your organization program goals and objectives, the resource mapping exercise conducted, fundraising strategy, and the partnership strategy.
Your organization resource mobilization plan should have a detailed breakdown of your financial and non-financial resources, where it will be getting from (the sources), their availability, gaps, priorities, and action plan to secure them. Finally, your template should include documents that will support your resource mobilization plan for instance budgets, timelines, proposals, and agreements.