Description
The project addresses the applicant’s financial dependence and lack of sustainability of the services provided. The project aims at improving the financial and organizational sustainability via a series of training courses and efficient mechanisms to raise funds. First, marketing research of potential corporate donors will be carried out and a database of 30 companies will be set up. Second, the organization’s strategy for financial sustainability will be developed. Third, team members of NGOs supporting victims of domestic violence will attend 3 two-day seminars on strategic planning, communication and business partnerships and raising funds from corporate donors. Fourth, the applicant will present its work to 25 companies from Targovishte District. Finally, a plan for anonymous donors and a strategy for the organizational development will be developed. The project will benefit the applicant’s team, other NGOs working with victims of domestic violence and their clients.
Summary of project results
The project of NAIA Association is needed due to the lack of sustainable financing in general for Bulgarian NGOs working with domestic violence victims which created further obstacles to the provision of good quality and long-term services to the victims. NGOs are dependent on project financing on a competitive basis and the state funding in the sector is not sufficient. NAIA Association also lacked experience in communication with businesses. First, two strategic documents for organizational development and financial sustainability of NAIA Association were prepared under the project. Second, a Plan to attract anonymous donors was developed. Next, marketing research focused on potential corporate donors was carried out. Many meetings with carried out, with 56 companies altogether from the cities of Varna, Bourgas, Pleven, Shumen, Silistra, Rouse, Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Stara Zagora and Haskovo. In addition, the following deliverables were prepared: online donation links and various information materials such as flyers, leaflets, brochures, greeting cards and invitations. The project helped enhance the organizational capacity of NAIA Association. The strategic documents developed helped the organization identify its strengths and weaknesses, achievements, limitations, opportunities, set long-term goals and plan activities to achieve them. The organization’s team learned to think in a strategic, comprehensive and long-term way. Three trainings were carried out under the project for organizational and financial strengthening of NGOs working with domestic violence victims. 32 representatives of 11 NGOs took part in the training sessions and were introduced to the new methods of raising funds from corporate and private donors and learned how to identify potential donors, formulate fund-raising causes and make a plan. Thus the project strengthened their organizational capacity. The organizations used the acquired knowledge and skills in their own strategic documents. The negative attitude to entrepreneurship and resistance to seeking contacts with companies were overcome. The project had impact on companies as well, raising their awareness about the need to support domestic violence victims.
Summary of bilateral results