Consulting

The Global Fund Raising Advisory works with civil society organizations in developing and transition countries to improve their local and international fund raising. We offer a range of services to those that share our values.

What to ask for

• Making Feasibility and Planning Studies
• Understanding the markets for general operations, buildings, programs, and endowments
• Balancing your needs with donors' interests--this is where experience and creativity are crucial

  Where to ask

• Local fund raising and international grants

  Whom to ask

• The big differences between individuals, corporations, foundations, and governments
• Researching individuals and grant makers
• Cultivation of individual donors and institutional grant makers

  When to ask

• Frequent Giving
• Annual Giving
• Grants for projects
• Capital Campaigns
• Planned Giving

  Who should ask

• The importance of the Board of Directors in fund raising
• The role of the staff in fund raising

  How to ask

• Clear, concise, and cogent letters and grant proposals
• What to say when you're face to face
• Direct mail
• Online Giving

A Word on US-Based Sources
Please keep in mind that US-based institutional grant makers, including foundations, USAID, the World Bank, the IDB, and the MIF, look for innovative projects that will be self-sustaining after three years of support.

They almost never give for general operating expenses, nor for building, nor for remodeling.

They almost always prefer short-term projects (from their point of view) that are novel. You have to present some aspects of your current or future programs that are new and interesting to them (not just to you), and that somehow or another you can finance without their aid after two or three years.

We have a great deal of experience helping clients be creative about their current and future programs, and packaging some of their activities into a project that may appeal to an international donor. We also help our clients think through how they may sustain such a project after the term of an international grant.

We often point out that success in fund raising is a question of team work. Click on Our Results, Your Success to see what we and our clients have accomplished together.

Contact us about consulting.