Co-develop Fundraising Strategy for a Nonprofit

Activity/project background

Tangeni Shilongo Namibia (TSN) is a German-Namibian nonprofit organization, registered in Namibia since 2015 and based in Swakopmund. TSN operates two educational centres serving children and youth from disadvantaged communities. The Horizon Primary School provides formal education, daily meals, and a structured learning environment for over 130 learners in Grades 1–7. The OPEN DOORS Education Centre (ODEC) complements this through early childhood education, preschool, homework support, and a youth technical and vocational education training program, collectively reaching more than 275 children and young people on a daily basis. TSN’s programs focus on improving access to quality education and long-term opportunities for marginalized communities.

As TSN expands to meet growing demand, the organization faces increasing pressure to secure sustainable funding. Fundraising efforts are currently concentrated in Germany, reflecting the background of the founders, which limits access to a broader international donor base. At the same time, TSN must address both long-term funding needs, such as staff salaries and program expansion, and short-term, targeted needs, including school uniforms, learning materials, and infrastructure improvements. In addition, a staff sponsorship model is being developed to enable donors to support individual staff members through structured contributions and reporting. Addressing these needs requires strengthened fundraising systems, improved donor engagement, and more structured approaches to communicating impact.

TSN is requesting one Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to strengthen its fundraising strategy and donor engagement capacity. The VSPP will provide technical assistance in identifying new funding opportunities, developing fundraising materials such as donor proposals and sponsorship packages, and supporting the design of targeted fundraising campaigns with clear financial goals. The VSPP will also contribute to the development of a staff sponsorship program by helping define communication flows and reporting formats and will support the organization in structuring donor outreach and relationship management processes. In addition, the VSPP will assist in improving how TSN documents and presents impact for fundraising purposes by organizing existing data and developing clear reporting and content frameworks. TSN has not previously collaborated with the Peace Corps and recognizes that the role of a VSPP is distinct from that of Peace Corps Volunteers or Peace Corps Response Volunteers.

Engagement and tasks

The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:

• Conduct a structured review of current fundraising activities, communication materials, and funding streams to identify gaps and priorities, and co-develop a fundraising action plan within the first month
• Develop and refine key fundraising materials, including donor proposals, sponsorship packages, and tailored pitch documents for various donor groups
• Research and map new funding opportunities, including international donors and grant prospects, and compile a structured donor prospect list
• Co-design targeted fundraising campaigns and a staff sponsorship (godparent) program, including messaging, timelines, contribution models, and donor communication flows
• Build internal capacity by facilitating two virtual fundraising sessions and developing 2–3 practical tools or templates (e.g., proposal templates, donor tracking sheets, campaign planning tools)

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be five hours per week.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Namibia Time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The host country counterpart will have access to WhatsApp, zoom, WordPress, and Canva 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:

1. To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. 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: 1 year working in business development or nonprofit program support

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: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, journalism, marketing, communications, nonprofit management, international development, or a related field

Experience:
• Virtual engagement and communication
• Securing grants, corporate sponsorships, or individual donor contributions
• Proposal writing and event or campaign coordination
• Online research experience
• Microsoft Office or Google Workspace

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 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.