Co-Develop Fundraising Strategy for Education Non-Profit
Eligibility
Open to all RPCVs
Activity/project background
Partner: Maths & Science Leadership Academy NPC (Local NGO)
The Maths & Science Leadership Academy (MSLA), a non-profit organization situated in Kimberley, Northern Cape Province, South Africa has, through its “educating youth for the future” programs, equipped hundreds of youths from underprivileged backgrounds, with the skills, knowledge, and passion to access tertiary education and become their dreams.
Unemployment and poverty rates in the Kimberley area, and indeed throughout the Northern Cape Province, are very high, with young people affected the most. The poor quality of education, coupled with the lack of opportunities and drug and alcohol abuse, leave most of the youth stranded after having completed school. MSLA addresses these issues through on-going academic support in Math and Science, IT skills development, digital literacy, Microsoft Office Certification Training, global citizenship education, community projects, and career guidance for solid foundation entering the employment market. University applications and NBTs are funded for by MSLA.
As a non-profit organization, MSLA relies totally on funding from donors. Since 2006 MSLA was able to source funding from local mining and renewable energy companies in the Kimberley area.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic created the most severe global education disruption in history and brought with it huge economic challenges. Unfortunately, the donor landscape has now changed as the founding and biggest sponsors are moving out of Kimberley and the Northern Cape. To source additional sources of funding, MSLA is requesting the support of a Virtual Service Pilot Participant to update their resource mobilizations strategy and to identify new donors, perhaps within their growing support base in the United States.
MSLA has previously worked with a Peace Corps Volunteer. They understand that the role of the VSPP is very different than a two-year volunteer.
Virtual service engagement and tasks
The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their Host Country Partners:
• Co-assess the donor landscape and priority areas or programs that require funding
• Support the organization in developing a resource mobilization strategy complete with donors, areas of interest, types of funding available, etc.
• Co-develop the capacity of the organization staff to implement the strategy
• Co-develop a network of potential donors and outreach plan to engage them for funding
This engagement is expected to be approximately 16 weeks. VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an 5-15 hours per week.
Meetings between VSPPs and Host Country Counterparts will take place after hours, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. South African time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to Teams, WhatsApp, and emails for regular communication and collaboration.
Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0-18), two adults must be present.
Optional additional activities
The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:
- To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
- To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
- To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
Goal 1 will be achieved through the VSPP's engagement and completion of the above tasks. The counterpart and VSPP may also choose to identify an activity that aligns with Goal 2. Additionally, the VSPP may identify a Goal 3 activity to implement during their engagement. See recommendations and tools for Goal 3 activities.
Essential qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in any field
Experience:
• Experience in fundraising and/or grant management for non-profit organizations
• Experience networking with donor agencies and charitable foundations
Intercultural skills and motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable to serve virtually
Desired qualifications
Education: Master’s degree in any field
Technical Skills: Familiarity with virtual engagement and communication
Experience:
• Experience designing funding models for non-profits
• Experience networking with American donor agencies and non-profits
• 2 years’ experience in managing grants and donor proposals for non-profit organizations
Terms and conditions of engagement
VSPPs will be engaging with the host country partner, in coordination with Peace Corps post staff, remotely from the US. They should have access to a computer, internet, and telephone in order to enable direct engagement with the Peace Corps overseas office and the Host Country Counterpart assigned by the host country partner.
Orientation with the host country partner will be provided, within the designated virtual service hours, during the first week of virtual service via an online presentation and discussion. The host country partner will provide an overview of its organization, the local context, and how they envision collaborating with the VSPP.
The VSPP will have regular check-ins with their counterpart and bi-weekly check-ins with Peace Corps staff. Spending unstructured time with counterparts can be critical to relationship-building and is encouraged through activities such as coffee chats and informal calls within the weekly 5-15 hours.
Engagement-specific safety and security
The VSPP will receive an orientation on Peace Corps’ Child Protection Policy and how it relates to online engagement along with IT security best practices. The VSPP will be expected to follow safety and security guidelines for online engagement to ensure their safety and that of the Host Country Partner and their counterpart, and any beneficiaries of the engagement.
Supervision requirements
The VSPP will report to a designated Peace Corps staff member. The VSPP will be expected to abide by the Virtual Service Pilot Participant and Donation Agreement and Participant Principles of Engagement. The VSPP will also be expected to check in with the designated host country counterpart as assigned by the host county partner.
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