FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES IN CHILDREN’S WELFARE PROJECTS – PERSPECTIVES FROM LOCAL NGOs

Abstract

Despite the existence of numerous sources of funding such as the government, multilateral agencies, corporate sponsorship, family foundations and individual donors, NGOs in Tanzania are still experiencing challenges in obtaining children welfare project funds. This study set out to examine the effectiveness of fundraising initiatives undertaken by local NGOs to improve the welfare of orphans and vulnerable children in Ilala District, Tanzania. A holistic multiple case study design was employed using semi-structured interviews with local NGO leaders. With the assistance of Nvivo software programme, pattern coding was inductively used to bring together coded information into more compact and meaningful groupings. Research findings reveal that local NGOs have taken different initiatives to mobilise financial resources. These initiatives include grant applications, fundraising events, personal solicitation, telephone fundraising, internet fundraising and the use of solicitation letters. However, these efforts have not managed to bring about the desired outcomes for the majority of local NGOs. Hence, this study concludes that local NGOs in Tanzania urgently require improved fundraising capacity so as to sustain their operations.