What type of donors give to WAGGGS Member Organisations and how do we contact them?
There are a lot of different types of funder who might be interested in funding your project. These could include:
🟥 National and Local Government – this has been a successful source of funds for many Member Organisations. They often have developed partnerships with the Education, Youth or Health Ministries. This does not always start as a funding partnership but often leads to funding in the medium to longer term.
🟧UN/UN Agencies (UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, UNESCO, WHO) – these agencies have a presence across the world, and some have an existing relationship with WAGGGS Head Office and across regions. They will have an in-country representative that you can contact.
🟨 Foreign Overseas Development Governmental Departments – these work in developing countries. The following may have funding programmes for your country: DFID (UK – although be aware the UK has recently significantly cut its overseas aid budget), CIDA (Canada), DANIDA (Denmark), FINIDA (Finland), NORAD (Norway), SIDA (Sweden), AIDAB (Australia). Information can be found on the national websites and possibly through local embassies.
🟩International Non Governmental Organisations (INGOS) – these are multinational charitable organisations who may already work with WAGGGS at a country/regional/international level e.g. Soroptimist International, International Committee of the Red Cross. Where there is an existing relationship with WAGGGS at the regional or international level, this could help you to make contact with the in-country representative.
🟦 European Funds – you can find the full details of funding opportunities by using the search facility on the European Commission website. You can see all current and upcoming calls for proposals on this site. The contact details for the local EU delegation office will be published on each call for proposal and that will be your contact for applications.
🟪Local Embassies – most overseas embassies in developing countries have small grant programmes, but will favour organisations that they are already familiar with. Build a relationship with the Embassy, by inviting them to events and arranging an initial meeting with someone senior within your organisation. They may also have a formal call for proposals for grants, but if you build a relationship with them first you are more likely to be informed about these opportunities.
🟫Companies – national and multi-national businesses may be able to donate funding (sponsorship, grants or employee fundraising), volunteers and expertise. The contact would usually be within their CSR or Grants team, or it may be through their marketing team if there is an opportunity for significant profile. Smaller local organisations are more likely to donate in-kind gifts such as prizes for raffles or food for an event. They may sometimes offer low-level sponsorship for smaller events. Build the relationship with the smaller organisations at a local level, and contact the most senior person there. Again remember to contact WAGGGS if you are looking to contact international/multi-national organisations as it may be that we have a relationship that means we shouldn’t contact at in-country level or alternatively that means you can get an easier avenue in! Please review current WAGGGS corporate partners.
⬜ Trusts and Foundations – these organisations are specifically set up to give funding to charities and community groups. But a note of caution – they will all have their own specific guidelines and giving criteria, and will have hundreds if not thousands of applications. So make sure your association and project aligns with their guidelines and criteria. Trusts and Foundations may operate locally or internationally. More and more of these organisations are looking to make grants to a charity applicant from any country, while some will need the applicant to be registered in the country where the funder is based (e.g. in the UK, many trusts only give to UK-registered charities who operate internationally, like WAGGGS). There will be a contact provided on the website of the trust; look out for any guidance around contacting (i.e. some will say please don’t call), and also be sure to check with WAGGGS Head Office and the Association based in the country of the trust/foundation before applying.
⬛ Local community and faith groups – it is very likely you will have connections with these already. Community groups might include Rotary, Soroptomists (be aware there have an international relationship with WAGGGS which may help) and Lions Groups. Faith Groups could include churches and mosques. Some will have grants available, others will directly fundraise for you in their local community and you may attract new volunteers too.
Each type of donor will have their own motivation for and own way of donating. This means that the way you approach them will differ from donor to donor.