| |
|
 |
|
Fundraising Fundamentals
Intensive program in Grantsmanship
Fundraising is a basic function of every organization.
Grant funding is one of the best sources for funding programs.
 |
FunFun's resident expert |
Why do agencies fail to raise needed funds?
They lack skills in grantmanship, the art of winning
grant funding. Our training course will give you those skills and support
you as you learn to apply them.
What is Fundraising Fundamentals?
FunFun is:
- Participatory. A hands-on approach to learning techniques
that win grants. You study with professionals who have written dozens
of successful proposals in various fields.
- Practical. FunFun participants bring their own project
ideas and draft proposals to the workshop. We use them as case material.
By this direct application, participants substantially improve their
proposals and overall understanding.
- Supportive. FunFun learning continues with on-demand
internet tutoring for one year, until mastery is obtained. FunFun overcomes
the principal limitation of stand-alone training: without follow-up,
participants are often unable to make the best use of their new learning,
or to develop proficiency.
- Held at your location. FunFun comes to you, at your
chosen venue, anywhere in the world. This minimizes your staff time
away from work, and eliminates your costs and hassles of international
travel. On-site, FunFun facilitators can asses your situation and better
adapt to your realities.
- Humorous. Humor enhances adult learning and keeps
spirits up during intensive activities. Yet, our aim is serious: develop
competent, confident grantseekers who meet their agencies’ fundraising
needs.
Back to top
 |
Charting a timeline during a proposal exercise. |
Elements of the FunFun learning system:
- On-site diagnosis of your agencies current fundraising
strategies and recent proposals; pre-workshop interviews with participants
to assess skill levels and individual needs.
- Five-day intensive workshop for up to 20 people
on program design and proposal writing; we use actual proposals, true-to-life
situations, and practical exercises
- Post-workshop technical assistance of internet support
to help analyze your new project designs and fundraising strategies,
and to critique your concept papers and draft proposals.
Our Methods
-
"I have been to other workshops but I have never seen any presenters use the methods you guys used. I believe anybody could have come and learned the principles. Anyone. It has been the best."
Manager of a youth services program in Jamaica
Read more participant comments. |
Brief lectures, along with open-ended Q&A discussions
- Applied learning in small group exercises
- Brainstorming and facilitated peer interactions
- Role-play and simulation of real-life situations: donor interviews,
problem solving, feedback
- Critique of actual proposals, by jointly examining concepts, aptness,
structure and style
- Collaborative assistance among colleagues to review programs and
proposals using new knowledge
Back to top
Core curriculum
Program design: the basis of every successful proposal.
-
 |
Geckos on these participants from Tanzania
are some of the famous FunFun toys, used to divide into groups,
and sometimes to decorate foreheads.
See
more photos. |
Explore the logical linkages that connect problem statements, goals/objectives,
outputs, activities, indicators and risks
- Develop workable implementation and management plans, and monitoring
and evaluation systems that produce results and allow for accountability
- Plan for participation of all stakeholders
- Draw up and present budgets with confidence
Capability statements and public image
- Articulate your vision in concise terms
- Identify your agencies' key experiences and unique qualities, and
express them to advantage
- Use the media to spread news of your programs and build your reputation.
Proposal formats
- Use layouts that present concepts clearly for quick understanding
by donor staff
- Explore simple graphics to express ideas visually
- A checklist from cover letter through annexes, so that your proposal
offers a complete and compelling presentation
"Because I took this course I will improve
my approach to the whole process of project design and fundraising.
With new knowledge in stress management I shall be a better person
and employee."
Southern Africa Coordinator on an HIV/AIDS prevention
program |
Powerful prose
- Communicate ideas with directness, elegance and excitement
- Learn the Dos and Don'ts of proposal text writing
- Practice editing so you express the essential ideas, grab the imagination,
and avoid common errors.
Funders
- What you need to know about them, and they about you
- Match donors' policies and preferences with your activities and funding
requirements
- Get what you need at negotiation time
- Tips on building solid donor relationships
- Personal skills for grantsmanship
- Active listening
- Teamwork
- Giving and taking feedback
- Stress reduction
- Planning and scheduling
- Delegation
Back to top
Who needs these skills?
 |
One of many FunFun drawings by our Tanzanian
cartoonist, Marco Tibasima. This one appears in the new FunFun Facilitators
Manual. |
Well over 300 participants from 30 countries of Africa, Asia, Europe,
and the Americas have taken FunFun. They come from:
- Non-governmental organizations, NGOs
- Associations and community based organizations
- Trusts, foundations, grantmaking projects and donor organizations
- Faith-based organizations of all kinds
- Colleges, technical schools and universities
- Local government and public agencies
And they have these positions:
- Senior managers responsible for fundraising
- Board members and trustees involved in donor relations
- Project managers and promising young staff who need competence in
fundraising
- Consultants who assist in the preparation of grant proposals
Back to top
Training more FunFun facilitators
 |
In the TOT course, future facilitators learn
to plan carefully for each workshop, including the selection of
the venue. |
The time has come to widen the circle of facilitators who are trained
to present this course.
With funding from the Carnegie Corporation, Pamoja has developed a Training
of Trainers (TOT) program to do just that.
African facilitators in training
Participants from eight African universities will
be trained and coached skills to become co-facilitators in this participatory
learning system.
I have enjoyed it, every day has been a new
experience. The pedagogical approach was excellent as it was directed
toward facilitating participatory learning. I gained quite a lot
and I now feel comfortable to facilitate others.
East African TOT participant |
The training will continue through mid-2005. After that, the TOT course
and materials will be made available to others to become proficient in
the facilitation of this kind of grantsmanship training.
Our vision
To install the capacity to offer grantsmanship training
courses and follow-up support where ever there is an unmet demand for
this service. We welcome inquiries from qualified organizations and individuals.
Back to top
Comments from FunFun courses in Nigeria
"I have been in training consultancy work
for quite some years, but the skills demonstrated by Jonathan and
Carrol Otto have greatly humbled me."
"The knowledge you impart goes beyond fundraising.
It is a contribution to humanity in general."
"I have participated in many workshops,
but this is the best facilitated one."
"I have grown during this workshop. I have
learnt so much that not just my self-esteem but my eagerness to
serve has been re-awakened."
"The presenters definitely have the knowledge,
experience, skills of delivery and ability to mange an adult boisterous
group."
"It amazes me how Jonathan and Carrol are
able to make something as complex as proposal preparation very interesting
and easy to learn." |
Pamoja's services to grantmakers
This section is for foundations, individuals and
other grantmakers who are seeking to improve their international grantmaking.
We have two programs to offer.
Build capacities of your grantees and applicants
Organizations in the developing world are often led
by sector specialists or other individuals with little or no training
in grantsmanship.
As a grantmaking agency, your funding of grantees to master this core
skill may have more long-term impact than typical funding of projects.
Some agencies whose funds have provided staff, partners,
grantees and/or applicants with FunFun training:
- Carnegie Corporation of New York
- United Nations Small Grants Program
- John D. and Katherine T. MacArthur Foundation
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- United States Agency for International Development
- Summer Peace Institute of the School for International Training (SIT)
- SVN, the Dutch development agency
- Heifer Project International
- Care International
Assistance with your grantmaking design and management
|
One of the key stumbling blocks for grantseekers:
presenting a persuasive problem statement and analysis that grantmakers
will want to help resolve. |
For foundations, family trusts, individual donors
and other grantmakers, Pamoja can assist in the design, management and
evaluation of international grantmaking programs.
We can guide you step-by-step through the process to:
- Select a grantmaking strategy consistent with your interests
- Set up your program of any size or focus area
- Help you identify worthy applicants
- Generate and assess proposals
- Monitor grantees’ progress
- Facilitate learning from these experiences to improve project designs
and services
We are well situated to assist in developing programs because of our:
- Many years of experience as grantmakers and grantseekers
- Frequent travel to Africa for consulting and training activities
- Extensive networks of professional colleagues around the continent.
Back to top
“In my position I attend a lot of seminars and workshops on raising funds. I can tell you that the Pamoja facilitators are the best in the business.”
Director of the Development Office, University of Port-Harcourt, Nigeria |
For more information on Services for grantmakers click here
For FunFun fee schedule and booking information, click here
|
|
