Fundraising & Resource Mobilization
How is fundraising defined in this workshop?
Primarily asking for money; reactive, transactional, and often one-time.
What is the “event mindset” in funding?
Treating funding like an emergency — panic, scramble, rushed applications, rejection cycle
Name one of the six funding source types mentioned
Grants, sponsorships, donations, partnerships, in-kind support, revenue models
What are the five elements of a winning proposal?
Problem clarity, clear impact, specific ask, credibility, and avoiding vague language
What is in-kind support?
Non-cash contributions like services, products, space, or expertise.
How is resource mobilization defined?
Strategically identifying and acquiring all needed resources — money, expertise, equipment, partnerships, volunteers, media, venues
What analogy is used to describe sustainable funding?
Funding is like farming, not hunting
What principle is more important than volume when applying for funding?
Alignment
What four elements make a strong problem statement?
Who is affected, what the problem is, how big it is (data), and why it matters
Why is in-kind support powerful?
It reduces cash needs and increases total project capacity.
What is the key difference between fundraising and resource mobilization?
Fundraising focuses only on cash; resource mobilization is proactive, relational, and sustainable
Name two components of a funding system
Research & planning, relationship building, pipeline management, diversification, stewardship, tracking & learning
What should you check first before applying for an opportunity?
Geographic, sector, size, eligibility, and values fit
What formula is recommended for impact statements?
XYZ formula: Help X people achieve Y outcome by Z date.
What are the four steps to securing in-kind support?
List what you need, identify who has it, make a specific ask, explain the benefit to them.
Name three types of non-cash resources mentioned in the workshop.
Expertise, equipment, partnerships, volunteers, media coverage, venues
How many active opportunities should ideally be in your funding pipeline?
5–7 active opportunities at a time
What is the purpose of the Opportunity Identification Grid?
To track funding sources, deadlines, alignment level, and pipeline status
What must a specific ask include?
Total amount requested, detailed budget breakdown, justification, and explanation of calculations.
What is the partnership pitch framework?
What we’re doing, why it aligns with you, what we need, and what you get.
Why is resource mobilization considered the “bigger, smarter game”?
Because it expands opportunities beyond cash donors and builds sustainable, strategic partnerships
Why did the embassy add $25K more to the grant request?
Because of long-term relationship building, proven credibility, and strategic alignment — it was part of a system, not a desperate ask
Why is applying to 5 aligned opportunities better than 20 random ones?
Higher success rate, less wasted time, and stronger strategic focus.
What is the structure of a 2-minute pitch?
Problem (with data), solution (specific activities), impact (measurable outcomes), and clear ask
In the local resource success story, how much cash was spent versus in-kind value?
$800 cash spent; $6,200 in-kind value (delivered like a $7,000 program).