With just a few years as a part of the Network, AFS Slovakia main focus was establishing the flagship program. As soon as they achieved it, they knew they had to focus on strategic areas that would help them expand access to Intercultural learning while strengthening their organization.
Their first move was to get the help of Susie Eibenstein, a Fund-Raising Manager from AFS Italy. Susie ran a fundraising workshop for AFS and other non-profit organizations in Slovakia, a great opportunity for learning and positioning the organization.
After this, AFS Slovakia drafted a fundraising manual. However, there were some challenges; developing a viable fundraising system was not a simple task, and daily responsibilities can easily get in the way of strategic projects. This year they updated the manual with a focus on global competences.
The manual includes stories of previous AFS scholarship participants and was created with public audiences in mind. They also prepared a fundraising brief that can be easily adapted for potential donors. In the next couple of months, staff and board members will put it in practice, hoping to collect feedback from all engaged people and make necessary changes by spring 2020, to spread the initiative with their volunteers.
How can you involve volunteers in fundraising?
It’s not as complicated as it might seem, and several countries in the network are actively doing it!
- Provide them with the structure needed: Make sure to locate key volunteers at a national and local level to lead fundraising initiatives, and create a fundraising training. AFS Italy has a person in charge of this area in each local chapter, which has lead to many local scolarships!
- Make it meaningful and fun: Give your volunteers an opportunity to make an impact. Create together activities that will help bring awareness to our mission, and empower them. AFS Dominican Republic “Giving Tuesday” really brings their whole organization together!
- Create community advocates: Volunteers are the best ambassadors for AFS! If their not ready to plan fundraising initiatives, they can help by spreading the word. Public events and local fairs are excellent places to find potential donors.