Support Education NGO with Grant Writing and Fundraising Strategies
Activity/project background
Partner: Global Teachers Institute (Local NGO)
The Global Teachers Institute (GTI) is a teacher development network in South Africa of educators, schools, and organizations committed to developing high-quality teachers through school-based initial teacher education programs, international exchanges, and collaborative platforms. GTI understands the importance of securing funding and resources to support its mission of empowering teachers and improving education in high-need African schools. Obtaining financial support is fundamental for sustaining and expanding programs, projects, and interventions.
GTI is seeking the support of a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to assist in conducting research to identify grant opportunities. The VSPP will support aligning fundraising efforts with GTI’s mission and objectives and support its team to develop compelling and comprehensive grant proposals. The assistance will also help GTI to design and implement effective fundraising campaigns that ensure the organization’s sustainability. These could include developing strategies to engage donors, creating impactful messaging and marketing materials, and utilizing various online platforms and social media to maximize outreach. GTI understands the importance of building strong relationships with donors and requires guidance on donor cultivation strategies, including personalized communication, stewardship activities, and recognition efforts, to foster long-term partnerships and support for GTI. Ensuring compliance with grant reporting requirements to provide accurate and timely reports to grantors on the progress and impact of GTI's programs is also crucial. The assistance will also help in tracking and managing grant funds to ensure transparent and accountable financial practices. By leveraging our virtual fundraising and grant writing services, GTI can expand its reach and impact, securing the necessary resources to empower teachers and transform education in high-need African schools.
The Global Teachers Institutes has not previously worked with a Peace Corps Volunteer or a Virtual Service Pilot Participant. They understand that the role of a 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:
• Evaluate the current efforts in fundraising and gain insight into the funding requirements of GTI
• Co-design an enhanced fundraising and communications strategy through the collection of information about the GTI journey, while looking at what was done in the past and what is currently happening
• Collaborate with GTI to train 2-4 staff in writing effective grants demonstrating that they are ready to upscale their organization
• Advise and support GTI team on best practices and methods to secure, maintain, and grow fundraising financially and in the form of partnerships
This engagement is expected to be approximately 20 weeks. VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week.
Meetings between VSPPs and Host Country Counterparts will take place during normal office hours, South African time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to WhatsApp, Zoom, and email 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 writing grants
• Experience conducting community outreach and building partnerships
• Experience with fundraising and resource mobilization for NGOs
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 public administration or nonprofit management
Technical Skills: Familiarity with virtual engagement and communication
Experience:
• Experience with training and facilitation
• Experience conducting organizational assessments
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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