As this project, term, and program are coming to an end I am realizing just how much more aware I have become. I will say again and again i err on the skeptical side of things generally and even more so in picking who I donate time, effort and money into so for me this blogging and researching has been preparing me even more for what lies ahead and what I think is important in this field. Over the course of researching, chatting with organizations and just thinking it over in my head and on paper, I find I have changed my tune somewhat and toned down some of my judgements.
Earlier this year we discussed globalization and with it technology, and I absolutely feel globalization has made it incredibly easy to connect and stay aware across the globe and heck you can even video chat with astronauts and tweet with zero gravity. With these changes lies a huge opportunity for organizations and people to get exposure etc. I found it interesting to look over dozens of websites while I was both looking for internships and picking organizations to talk about, how different some of them are and also how much more is there than I realized when I wasn't looking for it. Because of how technological the world has become I think webpages and hot polished and informative they are is vital to garnering interest and even trust. Webpages that are easy to follow but leave with little to know questions say a lot about them. Same as with people, do you trust someone you know nothing about and who isn't willing to share anything? Obviously not if you are just chatting in line or on a flight but when is it every wise to say, have a relationship with someone you know only their name and age?
I admit I didn't expect as many organizations to have their financial aspect online, or in some cases, mailed in print. Of course I(or should I say we?) have found that there are varying levels of transparency in regards to money and finances and what is being done with the said finances. Though I was unable to cover ever organization I would have liked to, i wanted to mention the approach Free The Children took(www.freethechildren.com). Their "Donate" area online says it plainly and boldly "90% of donations support our programs Only 10% go towards our administrative rate". Like me maybe the first time I read something like that, you scoff "why is ANY of my donation going to administration". Well, here is a little secret for you, NONPROFIT ISNT CHEAP!
The reality of being a successful non profit/NGO is that you need a staff base to keep things running, to get the donations allocated where they should be, to plan those events, to supervise those trips safely. Unless you have some crazy good support or connections in government or with celebs and billionaires, there are expenses and overhead. In a perfect world 100% of all donations would go right to planting those fields, building those schools, or buying those medications. I think what I am realizing is most important is having that transparency as to what you as a non profit are doing with those donations and that the work you say you are doing, is actually being completed.
I have to say I was also surprised by the amount of government and health region funding etc that organizations received. I suppose I was a bit naive as to where all this money came from. In my head I assumed it was majority people like myself doing fundraisers and manning booths, going door to door and begging for support(no offence). Even simply learning about writing proposals was exhausting and ours weren't being submitted to an actually organization. The amount of research and work it takes to obtain partnerships is overwhelming. Though, if you know and believe in what you're selling, it makes it a lot easier to go through that process!
Another thing I found interesting, was the number or organizations who were "unable" to provide additional information even when the reason etc were explained. Of course, development is a busy field and large organizations have a lot on their plate but even those larger organizations took time to email back and let me know "hey! we are working on it, sorry for the delay!"
A huge part of this field is dealing with people. Even more importantly to me is how you don't deal with people. Being successful as an individual or organization both require being approachable and prepared to deal with people and their questions and concerns. Without the skills of being able to interact with all different types of people an businesses, you can't possibly be successful.
I suppose what I have seen, and what I still believe, is that you have to build and maintain relationships with people to reach your goals and your goals have to mean something to motivate and encourage growth. No matter how big or small your organization or movement is, you are successful in the way you work with and encourage others to do the same. With those things intact you foster further success and support.
Thanks for tuning in to check out these entries. I will be heading out to Africa on Saturday for 6 weeks and will try to update along the way as I am working on internship, so please stay tuned and as always, would love to hear your own tips, goals, and lessons from the non profit/development world!
Happy Blogging and Safe travels
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