FUNDRAISING & SUSTAINABILITY
SUN CSN
SUN is a unique movement founded on the principle that all people have a right to food & good nutrition.
Introduction
Financial sustainability remains a critical challenge for CSAs & CSOs around the world, and an overreliance on international funding makes local CSAs & CSOs vulnerable to changing aid priorities and donor withdrawal
Scaling up nutrition interventions to address undernutrition globally will require an additional $13 billion annually over to meet our 2030 goals
According to the World Bank, the return on investment for nutrition can be significant, with estimates suggesting that for every $1 dollar invested in nutrition interventions, a return of up to $23 can be expected, making it a highly cost-effective development investment
Fundraising Basics
The ideal grants to aim for are multi-year (minimum 3 years) and flexible
Read the entire Application and Grant Policy & Guidelines before you begin
Impact is key! Be Clear, Concise - Specific projects are likely funded, highlight the impact
Diversify your funding streams for resilience. Donor mapping is the best place to start.
Utilise the SUN Multistakeholder Platform. Work with your CSA members, SUN Regional Coordinators and other SUN Networks
Fundraising / Resource Mobilisation underpins implementation, success and impact for all CSAs / CSOs
Two types of income: Restricted and Unrestricted
Relationship Management and Research are key to success
Donors are complex and must be approached in a tailored way, but remember it is just a person sitting in the donors' chair
Ultimately aim for a sustainable future for your organisation, its services and beneficiaries
Funding Questions For Yourself?
Does our organisation meet the eligibility criteria set by the donor?
Is the amount of funding available through this grant sufficient for the needs of our project?
Is the funding implementation period sufficient for the needs of our project?
Do we have all the documents required by the donor? (These can include governance and financial reports and documentation)
Does our organisation have the staff capacity to complete the application process and compile all the relevant documents needed?
Does our project clearly fit with the priorities and objectives of the grant?
If we are successful do we have the staff capacity to manage the funds and the reporting requirements?
If we are successful do we have the staff capacity to implement the activities and manage the M&E requirements?
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Challenges
What are the biggest challenges you face to fundraising?
No long-term sustainable funding
Not knowing who the donors are
Low SUN Multi-Stakeholder Platform Functionality
Capacity and expertise to apply for and manage grants
Accessing donors and building partnerships
Take 10 Minutes to share challenges and to discuss actual and potential solutions to those challenges?
Any other challenges?
Donors
Understanding and mapping donors is key to sustainability. Mapping donors’ priorities helps to identify the donors
Key Types of Donors
Foundations, Donor Country Embassies, Diaspora Communities, UN Agencies, Local Philanthropists, Private Sector (Ethical), Member Contributions, Development Banks
Key Nutrition Country Donors
Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Australia, Japan, European Commission/Union, USA
Key Nutrition Foundation Donors
Children's Investment Fund, Eleanor Crook, World Bank Group, Bernard van Leer, Gates, Rockefeller, Asian Venture Philanthropy Network, African Development Bank
Emerging Donors
Turkey, UAE, China, Southern Korea, India, Brazil, Asian Infrastructure Development Bank, New Development Bank, Green Climate Fund
Local Donors
These will be dependent on where you are based but you should know and map out the key local donors in your country
Key Nutrition Foundation Donors
Power of Nutrition, Asian Development Bank, Herbalife Nutrition Foundation, Thrive for Good, Aga Khan, Kirk Humanitarian, Jeff Bezos Family
Sustainability
Sustainability of civil society requires two foundational areas: Financial and Governance
Facilitating Financial Sustainability Report – HERE – A helpful tool to approaching financial sustainability
SUN CSN Good Governance Guide – HERE Tool for CSAs to improve their governance
Bankable Projects (1)
A bankable nutrition project is an initiative that meets the criteria that investors consider when granting. The criteria includes commercial feasibility, financial sustainability, positive health and economic impacts, and effective risk management
Good Bankable Project In Nutrition
Bad Bankable Project In Nutrition
Description: Program to train rural communities to grow nutrient-rich foods and provide balanced school meals. Uses local resources, such as organic seeds, for a sustainable model of infant feeding.
Financial Sustainability: Local agricultural production reduces the costs of school meals. Partnership with local businesses to ensure regular donations. Sale of surpluses in neighboring markets for additional income.
Social Impact: Improved health of children in partner schools thanks to balanced diet. Jobs created for local farmers and cooks.
Description: A CSO decides to import and distribute synthetic dietary supplements despite limited knowledge of local habits and customs and the nutritional needs of target population.
Financial Sustainability: High import costs, which reduces the profit margin of the project .
Social Impact: The project does not solve basic nutritional problems, because synthetic supplements do not fit into local dietary habits.
Bankable Projects (2)
Good Bankable Project In Nutrition
Bad Bankable Project In Nutrition
Risk Management: Training farmers on sustainable practices and climate resilient techniques, partner with health services.
Innovation: Introduction of sustainable agriculture using local varieties and techniques. Integration of educational methods to educate children about nutrition
Partnerships: Collaboration with government departments, local farmers, teachers and communities to ensure effective and sustainable implementation
Risk Management: No coordination with local health authorities to test the safety of supplements. The project does not anticipate the risks linked to excessive dependence on imports.
Innovation: No real innovation, the project only focuses on the distribution of existing products without significant added value.
Partnerships: No strong alliance with local partners or awareness work to adapt the product to the needs of the local market.
Ai For Fundraising
The world is rapidly changing through technology, and AI is the new frontier that can be utilized for fundraising. Key reasons why you should be using AI to support your fundraising:
Boosts Efficiency – Automates repetitive tasks, allowing CSOs to focus on impact.
Supports Small Organisations – AI tools level the playing field for resource-limited CSOs.
Enhances Decision-Making – Data-driven insights improve fundraising strategies.
Expands Reach – AI-powered social media marketing connects CSOs to global donors.
Cost-Effective – Reduces the need for large fundraising teams.
Grant Writing & Proposal Assistance
Automated Donor Research, Mapping & Targeting
Supports Technical Capacities – provides simplified explanations of technical language e.g. legal documents, budget tracking
Grant Scams!
Fundraising and grant scams targeting INGOs/NGOs are more common than most teams realize—and they’re getting more sophisticated. If you’re dealing with external funding, partnerships, or donor outreach, you need a clear filter for what’s real and what’s risky.
How to Spot a Scam!
✅ Verify the Source
🚩 Watch for Pressure Tactics
💸 No Upfront Payments - Ever
🧾 Check for Consistency
🌐 Validate Online Presence
Ai For Fundraising – Task
Mini Ai Practice
WHAT TO DO!
SUN CSN Opportunities & Tools (1)
Fundraising Radicals
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The Global Fundraising Radicals Flagship programme supported by the SUN CSN provides opportunities for SUN CSN members including Resources, Podcasts, Blogs and many other tools in addition to an in-depth training programme
Fundraising Technical Assistance
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Provided through the SUN CSN Secretariat and/or TA providers from across the SUN Movement or external experts
SUN CSN Seed Fund Programme
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SUN CSN’s flagship small grants to support CSAs in implementing small innovative projects
MQSUN+ Resources
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Guidance and Tools such as:
Resource Mobilsation Roundtable Roadmap
Resource Mobilsation Advocacy
Resource Mobilsation Financial Gap Analysis
SUN Movement Donor Mapping
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A global donor mapping undertaken by the SUN Movement
SUN Movement Regional Office
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Contacting the SUN Movement regional office for support, speaking with their financing experts
SUN CSN Opportunities & Tools (2)
Funding Opportunities Bulletin
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A live online database with some of the latest grant opportunities
Approaching donor series
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SUN CSN Fundraising Good Practices
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Learn from other CSAs across the SUN CSN on how they have successfully fundraised
Grant management guide
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A short guide with key things to know to successfully manage a grant
Fundraising strategy template
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A template for CSAs to use as a guide for developing the fundraising strategy
Tasks – Mini Mapping / Pros & Cons
WHAT TO DO!
WHAT TO DO!
Mini Mapping
Pros & Cons
Fundraising Workshop – Pitch
Develop a 5-minute elevator pitch
WHAT TO DO!
Craft and deliver a compelling pitch that clearly communicates your alliance’s value to a donor
Step 1: Structure your pitch
Use this framework to guide your pitch:
Step 2: Refine & practice
Step 3. Pitch Delivery
On the final day before presenting your field trip feedback we would like each of you to start by presenting the elevator pitch you developed.
Questions?
Please contact Andy Rooke on a.rooke@suncivilsociety.org for on going support
Contact
Fundraising Questions Contact:
Andy Rooke
Senior Sustainability & Development Adviser