One of the greatest challenges of civil society organizations in Macedonia is their financial sustainability. There is an increasing need for the sector to diversify its resources and break off the dependency on foreign funding. In this direction, we at Konekt are focusing on supporting NGOs in building long-term productive relationships with the local donors. We believe that reaching to local donors (companies and individuals) not only provides valuable resources for the organizations but also builds their legitimacy in the community and among their constituencies.
As implementing partner to the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) within the Civil Society Strengthening Project (CSSP) www.isc.org.mk, we support NGOs to develop sustainable models for local resource mobilization based on philanthropic giving. Through CSSP, we provide seed funding, technical assistance, trainings and networking opportunities (fundraisers network hyperlink) to our four Philanthropy Pilot NGOs. Our approach includes:
- Continuous direct consultations and mentoring in developing the approach and addressing on-going challenges in communicating with local donors;
- Workshop sessions and discussions with representatives from business sector (link do info za obukata so kompaniite) and experts from Central Europe and the region etc. on ways to develop effective communication and cooperation with businesses;
- Fundraising Network - platform for NGO staff members, volunteers, or activists involved in fundraising to convene and regularly share experience, ask questions, share relevant information etc. The network wil also be a tool for Konekt to provide information and advice to NGOs beyond CSSP.
- Setting up functional local Donor’s Club “Friends of youth” for building on-going relations with donors for the Youth Council Ohrid (www.mladinskisovetohrid.org.mk);
- Developing model for on-going support by companies to association Open the windows (www.openthewindows.org) through the model of “Godfather to the association”;
- Support to the first Community Foundation in Macedonia set up by the Local Community Development Foundation Stip (www.frlz.org.mk);
- Encouraging citizens of Veles to donate through setting up Fund for support to children from socially disadvantaged families within the Foundation Focus from Veles (www.focus.org.mk).
On the donor side, we promote positive philanthropic practices among the business community (hyperlink to corporate philanthropy), strengthen the partnerships with local businesses and serve as a forum for promoting not-for-profit organizations as effective and accountable partners to local companies in implementing their philanthropy strategies.
