What we have done so far
Financial sustainability
- We have worked with two Organizations in Uganda and Kenya to build the first ever commercial enterprise that provided US$ 324,000 in annual revenue to each of the Organizations’ sustainability initiative.
- In 2007 we worked with partners and the private sector to successfully lobby the government of Kenya to allow for tax exemption for charitable donations by both the public and private sector.
- In 2009 we concluded the first landmark study on sustainability in East Africa, with a focus on Uganda. The project, collaboration with DENIVA and funding from DANIDA, was the second of its kind, after a similar study on NGO Investment and Sustainability in Kenya.
- As the Founding Members of the Kenya Social Investment Forum, we have been engaged in discussions to create the first ever national and regional platform from where Organisations can mobilize large local philanthropy and private capital for development. Known as the Social Stock Exchange, this innovative idea provides for Organisations to raise large amounts of funding for development.
- We have been engaged in pushing for creation of Social Enterprise-business enterprises implemented for both surplus and social gain. The Business addresses social issues such as health while also generating resources for the Organisation or community.
- Our focus on private sector partnership seeks to ensure corporate support moves away from philanthropy to long term programs that are both sustainable and create wealth.
We are working with CSOs in Kenya to create the first national CSO Sustainability and Performance barometer, which will form the basis of local funding platform for NGOs and CBOs.
We are developing an international Sustainability assessment program for CSOs as part of a strategy to encourage competence and impact at community level. The Civil Society Competence and Integrity Index (CSO-CII) seeks to promote Program sustainability