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Description
85% of the Romanian NGOs have an annual budget of less than 45.000 EURO, and most organizations haven’t participated in any organizational development programs focused on developing their strategic fundraising skills. Young, visionary organizations with a potential for sustained impact in various areas are not equipped to write solid projects, cannot assess the available funding sources, are not approaching local companies and are unable to develop a strong network of supporters or a board. We assessed the aggregate feedback from 40 small organizations and – based on the findings – we designed a complex support program for a cohort of 12 emerging organizations. With our partners from Oslo, Norsensus Mediaforum, over the course of two years, we aim to consolidate the financial sustainability and governance of the 12 NGOs - 50% from rural areas or small towns, and 50% from urban settlements – active in the areas of local development, education or social organizations providing direct support to vulnerable people. These visionary organizations, selected through an open call, will undergo a transformational process that includes strategic mentoring with the Synerb team and with other senior experts, they will benefit from our tailored, on-site support, will have access to various strategic and management tools, and will participate at two Growth Camps. We envision an intense, tailored process, resulting in 12 fundraising plans implemented, better projects written, 6 essential training topics delivered, such as Fundraising and Advanced Storytelling (from our Norwegian partners), a clear vision for each organization and engaged boards to support their strategy. We will enrich the sector by creating an Introductory strategic fundraising course (MOOC) and will help increase the sustainability of organizations impacting at least 250 people. Last but not least, the project will be implemented by a team with solid experience in working with ambitious cohorts of NGOs.
Summary of project results
The Visionary Program had the strategic objective of strengthening the financial sustainability and governance of 12 emerging NGOs through a comprehensive 18-month support program implemented by Synerb and Norsensus Mediaforum Oslo.
The program provided participants with access to growth camps, mentorship, and direct support (both online and on-site) from the Synerb team, the Norwegian partner, and a network of external mentors.
In response to the public call for applications, 53 organizations applied, out of which 12 were selected to participate in the program. The initiative included field visits and two growth camps. Based on the fundraising plan developed together with the organizations during the first growth camp, an individualized development process was initiated with each NGO. This process focused on action, building a professional fundraising system, and fostering healthy fundraising habits within the teams.
Throughout the program, the cohort organizations benefited from mentorship and support from the Synerb team, the Norwegian partner, and the network of mentors. This support included:
- refining or revisiting their theory of change,
- developing organizational presentations, pitches, and other materials needed for fundraising,
- providing direct assistance in identifying and evaluating suitable funding opportunities,
- establishing individualized strategies for approaching potential funders,
- improving teamwork and decision-making within the organization (governance).
As a result of participating in the program, the aggregate income of the cohort increased by 278% compared to the year prior to joining the program, and the average income of the organizations in the cohort tripled.
Additionally, during the project, the project team produced a free online fundraising course and two promotional videos showcasing two successful organizations from the cohort.
Summary of bilateral results
The involvement of the Norwegian partner, Norsensus Mediaforum, was essential to the project''s success, providing expertise in communication through storytelling. Their contribution significantly enhanced the support offered to organizations participating in the Visionary program.Key areas of collaboration included: Supporting the development of messaging and the effective promotion of the project on social media platforms; Delivering a specialized session during the first Growth Camp, focusing on storytelling techniques for successful fundraising campaigns; Collaborating closely with the program team on content design, technical aspects, and identifying the best software solutions for the course.The Norsensus Mediaforum Project Manager actively participated in the first Growth Camp, engaging directly with participants for two days. This provided an excellent opportunity for attendees to discuss specific communication challenges faced by their organizations and gain valuable insights through interactive exercises. The storytelling session was highly appreciated, equipping participants with practical and actionable tools to enhance their fundraising efforts.