Introduction

In partnership with Welthungerhilfe, Catalytic Corps embarked on a transformative journey to equip 19 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with essential offline donor engagement tools and strategies. This comprehensive capacity-building initiative aimed to foster the sustainability and impact of these organizations.

Understanding the Challenge

The first step in this journey was understanding the challenges faced by the CSOs. Through one-on-one assessments, we identified core themes that needed to be addressed: Prospective Donor Network, Visibility, and Donor Engagement. These themes formed the basis of our facilitation approach.

Facilitation Approach

Our facilitation approach involved a 12-hour online training workshop conducted in three phases. Each phase was designed to address a specific theme and empower the CSOs to overcome their challenges.

Phase 1: Enhancing Visibility

The first phase focused on enhancing the visibility of the CSOs. We emphasized the importance of local events and festival presence as a means to increase awareness about the organizations and their work. The workshop topics during this phase included communication skills and elevator pitches, equipping the CSOs with the tools to effectively present their mission and work to potential donors and the public.

Phase 2: Empowering CSOs

The second phase was dedicated to empowering the CSOs. This involved 1:1 coaching sessions led by Sandeep Mishra, the Founder of Catalytic Corps. Through these sessions, the CSOs were provided with personalized guidance and support to address their specific challenges and needs. This phase also highlighted success stories, such as MBKS and SEWA, who achieved significant fundraising gains, serving as inspiration for the other organizations.

Phase 3: Donor Engagement

The third phase focused on donor engagement. The CSOs returned with experiences and challenges from their events, which were discussed in detail. Strategies for enhancing visibility and fundraising efforts were also discussed, providing the CSOs with practical solutions to improve their donor engagement.

Result & Impact

The result of this capacity-building initiative was significant. The CSOs reported a significantly increased capacity for offline donor engagement. Several organizations reported fundraising improvements ranging from 50% to 500%. The visibility of the CSOs in their local communities was also enhanced, leading to increased awareness and support for their work. Furthermore, the CSOs improved their resource allocation and sustainability strategies, ensuring their long-term impact.

Key Takeaways

The key takeaways from this initiative were manifold. The CSOs redefined their fundraising approaches, leading to greater sustainability through improved resource allocation. The commitment of Catalytic Corps to supporting ongoing positive change was also evident, promising continued growth and impact for the CSOs.

Conclusion

This case study highlights the power of capacity building in empowering CSOs. Through a comprehensive approach addressing visibility, empowerment, and donor engagement, Catalytic Corps and Welthungerhilfe were able to significantly enhance the sustainability and impact of 19 CSOs. This initiative serves as a testament to the transformative potential of strategic partnerships and capacity building in the non-profit sector.