The list is endless when one decides to give money to an NGO. Which one should one choose? The next question on the mind is how efficient these NGOs are. Questions such as these and How to find an NGO that best works in India; Is there a need for corporate governance in NGOs; Process and systems NGOs need to equip themselves with to attract more donation were some that were tackled by Victoria Dunning, Vice President of Programs, Global Fund for Children in her recent visit to the country. The Global Fund for Children (GFC) is an international fund that pools in money from corporates who wish to do CSR initiatives and donates to needy NGOs across the globe who work towards betterment of children.
Dunning outlined a framework which should come in handy when one decides to donate to a charity.
“We are in India to provide help and skills to NGOs that take up the cause of children and youth,” says Dunning. There are a wide range of NGOs, says Dunning. ?Some are doing great work while some are doing innovative work. When an individual is looking to donate funds to an NGO, the first question to ask is what sector she is interested in. Is it children, youth, women, elderly, et al. This is the primary thing one needs to ask oneself.
An individual needs to do a thorough research before giving resources or time to a NGO.? Some people prefer local NGOs as they can visit and see for themselves the progress made while some prefer to invest in NGOs out of the city or even the country. The philosophy of the donor and the NGO should match. “For instance, GFC’s philosophy is in helping build, strengthen nascent groups with a strong leadership. Someone in these group has to have the vision which will take it forward. So when we look at NGOs that we want to help, we look for these qualities in them. Similarly, individuals need to see whether what they value and look for in life is honoured by the NGO they are giving funds to.”
Ask yourself, says Dunning, “is this going to be one-time donation or if it is going to be long-term sustainable.” Find out from the NGO the dos and donts of going about with both?one-time and long-term.
Another important to thing to find out, says Dunning, is the track record of the NGO. “Who is running the show and making the decisions? How has the NGO grown over a period of time? How is it viewed by people they serve?”
Donating to NGOs does not mean donating just money, emphasises Dunning. “One could give off one’s time, which is a very hard thing to do given the hectic pace of life in modern times. For some people, donations to NGOs are not about just giving money. They want to stay connected. There is nothing wrong in either,” she says, for investing is social growth, be it money or time. “If one wants to stay connected, be prepared for a commitment.”
Giving mentoring and volunteering efforts to NGOs that you support is one way of giving back to the society, says Dunning. “Reflect on your own opportunities and values and give it back to society with values you care about, be it environment, education, children, et al”
Dunning says it is important for a donor to understand and realise the importance of giving money or time to a NGO. “If you are going to invest in a charity, it is for the benefit of the vulnerable, not-having-the-same-opportunities as you people. But the latter has the potential to get out of the difficult situations in their life and join the mainstream.” Strive, she says, to get them there.