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Archived Articles - Funding for NGOs - NGOs - Global policy Forum Archived Articles
Funding for NGOs
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2002
A Model NGO? (December 5, 2002)
In Bangladesh, donors have shifted funds away from the government to NGOs, sparking a debate about the role of NGOs in the country. Although NGOs have made important contributions to social welfare, critics worry about the long-term consequences of a decline in public services. (Radio Netherlands)Questions Arise on Accounting at United Way (November 19, 2002)
United Way organizations have used reporting techniques that inflate their contributions and minimize their expenses, leaving the organization more competitive than other NGOs in the race for funding. The most serious infraction is double counting, where multiple United Ways count the same donation as their own. (New York Times)High Court to Weigh Nonprofits' Political Contributions (November 19, 2002)
In preparation for the campaign finance reform debate, the Supreme Court will consider whether a ban on political contributions by private corporations should also block donations from non-profit advocacy groups. (Washington Post)Major Donor Conference Ends in Kabul (October 15, 2002)
A three-day conference on streamlining international aid to Afghanistan created a space for Afghan leaders and NGOs to express concerns and strategies for future cooperation. (IRIN)Donations Dried Up with Tech Stocks (October 13, 2002)
When Silicon Valley prospered, many companies formed foundations to support causes ranging from education to hunger eradication. When the economy took a downturn, much of the promised funding disappeared. (Los Angeles Times)Trends in Fundraising and Giving by International NGOs (September 2002)
International NGOs increasingly rely on local donors in developing countries, realizing that localized ownership and control of development projects is the best path to self-sufficiency. This can have a negative effect on local NGOs who compete for funds from the same sources. (BOND)Who Pays the Piper? (September 2002)
Government financing of the UK voluntary sector raises many questions, including “whether the government funding comes with too many strings.” (BOND)Taking the Strain on the Chain: Human Relationships in Development (September 2002)
Development funders and recipients should build personal relationships to avoid frustration and serious conflicts. (BOND)EC Direct Funding of Southern NGO's: Threat or Opportunity for EU NGO's (September 2002)
Many European NGOs have traditionally channeled funds to the developing world. The growing legitimacy of Southern NGOs alters this relationship and creates both challenges and opportunities for European organizations. (BOND)Why Donor Funds Don't Reach NGO Coffers (August 8, 2002)
South African NGOs are facing a financial crisis, while grant funding has not decreased. Studies show that this situation has occurred as donors choose to spend their money in “different areas from those in which most NGOs function.” (allAfrica)NGO Funding Problems Likely to Be Eradicated (July 31, 2002)
Ashoka, an international non-profit organization, promotes “creative and innovative ways for the NGO sector to become self-sustaining.” This is a first step towards resolving NGO funding problems. (allAfrica)World's Largest Family Planning NGO Running Out of Funds (July 25, 2002)
International Planned Parenthood Federation, a London based NGO, is running on half of what it used to 10 years ago. Countries, they say, are pulling out of giving funds and it is affecting the reach of their work. (Malaysian National News Agency)NGOs Go Swadeshi With Fund-Raising (July 10, 2002)
“After remaining heavily dependent on foreign funding, many (Indian) NGOs have started scouting for financial support from within the country.” While the need for foreign funding is still important, local contributions bring more transparency and accountability. (Economic Times India)NGOs Defend Foreign Funding (June 2, 2002)
Three Malaysian NGOs accused of accepting foreign funding and “trying to ‘do the country in’”, argue that they only accept money with no strings attached. (New Straits Times, Malaysia)NGOs and Fundraising: Dilemma or Opportunity? (April 2002)
The keynote speaker at the 10th Asia Pacific Fundraising Workshop discusses fundraising challenges and methods for NGOs in a stifled economy. (Resource Alliance)Organizational Effectiveness and Philanthropy (February 27, 2002)
With NGOs expected to do more with less and funders faced with increased expectations, both grantors and grantees have increased their focus on organizational capacity and effectiveness. In this interview, Barbara Kibbe discusses the challenges inherent in measuring organizational effectiveness. (Philanthropy News Digest)
2001
Trends in Fundraising and Giving by International NGOs (December 2001)
New trends in international development, such as specialization and improved communications, will lead to changes in NGOs’ organizational structures and fundraising techniques. (Resource Alliance)Empowering Local Actors: The UN and Multi-Track Conflict Prevention (December 10, 2001)
The International Peace Academy addresses “some of the opportunities and challenges involved in working to prevent the outbreak of armed conflict in tandem with relevant local actors.” (International Peace Academy)NGOs and Partnership (April 2001)
This policy brief argues that Northern NGOs must stop imposing their agendas on Southern Partners. In theory, North-South NGO partnerships benefit NGOs both in rich and poor countries. The Northern NGO, close to the donor public, attracts funding; while the Southern NGO implements initiatives in the field. This study of ten European NGOs reveals that the funding process skews the power structure in favor of Northern NGOs, which can “hijack the accountability mechanisms” by distancing Southern NGOs from grassroots needs. Few NGO staff in the study found examples of mutual, shared decision making. (International NGO Training and Research Centre)
NGOs Told Not to Rely of Foreign Funding (October 28, 2000) 2000
Foreign Funding is not trouble-free. NGOs need to explore alternative ways of receiving funds like local foundations and philanthropic institutions, individual sources, and even the government and private companies (Jakarta Post).The Disparity Between National and International NGOs (October 4, 2000)
International NGOs should bring in new resources rather tahn compete with domestic capacity. This article in The Independent illustrates the competition among local and international NGOs in Bangladesh.Foreign Funding of NGOs Fuels Anger in Jordan (September 11, 2000)
Islamists call foreign financing a violation of sovereignty and questionable neo-colonialism and suspect NGOs which accept foreign money to have ties with Zionism and the CIA. NGOs say it is a pretext to silence unwelcome NGOs (Agence France Presse).NGOs' Dilemmas (Spring 2000)
In Middle East, the amount of money available to NGOs from foreign funding sources has risen sharply, but so has frustration, since “most funding now comes with specific policy conditions attached”. (The Middle East Research and Information Project)NGOs Call For More Money To Cover Costs (June 27, 2000)
Calling all NGOs to raise even more money! Lump-sum financing scheme requires more money for administrative costs but does promote flexibility and autonomy. (South China Morning Post)The Case for Empowering Southern NGOs (March 2, 2000)
In this interview, Ann Hudock speaks about her new book “NGOs and Civil Society: Democracy by Proxy?” She explains how the mission of Southern NGOs can become corrupted by outside influence and infusion of capital from Northern NGOs.(Woodrow Wilson Center)`Mercenaries' For Big Business (February 16, 2000)
An article from the San Francisco Chronicle discusses corporate funding of nonprofit organizations, mainly conservative think-tanks. This opinion-for-hire approach is said to be harmful to the credibility of the NGOs, but corporate influence over most NGOs is far more indirect and subtle.1999
Donors Shift More Aid to NGOs (June, 1999)
Africa Recovery article analyzing the trend to channel development aid in Africa through NGOs rather than governments. NGOs have a comparative advantage in furthering development, but aid will only be effective if governments and NGOs work together.Money and the Public Interest (May 21, 1999)
Article by Russell Mohkiber and Robert Weissman that explores NGO funding and specific cases in which NGO's may be influenced by large corporations.`Mercenaries' For Big Business (February 16, 2000)
An article from the San Francisco Chronicle discusses corporate funding of nonprofit organizations, mainly conservative think-tanks. This opinion-for-hire approach is said to be harmful to the credibility of the NGOs, but corporate influence over most NGOs is far more indirect and subtle.
1998
NGO's Futures Left in Doubt as Funding Row Goes on (20 July, 1998)
European Union legal ruling leaves NGOs in danger of losing their funding.The EU, Pakistan, and the Trouble with NGOs (May 1998)
Hans Zomer questions the funding by the EU of development NGOs which lack ways to assess program impact.
A Perspective from an International NGO (December 1994) 1994
This article highlights the challenges faced by NGOs accepting contracts with official donors. “In the end, NGOs will be far more sensitive to their donors’ accountability requirements than those of the people they should be serving.” (Development Policy Management Forum Bulletin)
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