Only 10% of top international aid organisations fundraise internationally
Howard Lake | 6 October 2008 | News
Only two of the top 20 international aid organisations have a global fundraising strategy that looks beyond the Western world, according to a survey by The Management Centre (=mc).
The training and consultancy provider is encouraging aid organisations to expand their fundraising strategy to incorporate emerging markets such as Brazil and China, as well as what it calls largely undiscovered fundraising ‘hot spots’ like South Korea, Colombia, Thailand, Singapore, Argentina and UAE.
It points to Merill Lynch and Capgemini’s ‘World Wealth Report 2008’ which reveals that the 10 million wealthiest individuals worldwide have a combined wealth of US$41 trillion, and that most of them are based in emerging markets. In 2002, these individuals gave $285 billion to philanthropic causes.
Bernard Ross, Director of The Management Centre, said: “Philanthropy is rife far beyond European and US shores and yet many international aid organisations are yet to apply a truly global fundraising strategy that would enable them to access new donors across the world.
“Fundraisers must expand their horizons and seek funds in new and emerging markets, not only Brazil and China – two of the fastest growing economies, but also in new fundraising ‘hot spots’ like Mexico, Singapore, South Korea and UAE. Without doing so, the third sector risks facing a rapid decline in funding as more and more organisations compete for the same pot.”
Francesco Ambrogetti, coordinator of the research and Senior Consultant at =mc, added: “It is staggering to think that 10 million people have the power to wipe out world debt, and yet so few of them are being targeted by international aid organisations for funds.
“In many parts of the world, particularly Asia – where more wealthy people give and give much more than their European and US counterpart – there is a highly philanthropic culture. Fundraisers are missing a trick by failing to target these potential ‘mega-donors’ in new and emerging markets.”
The Management Centre will be presenting its findings and ideas at a seminar, ‘Global Fundraising for International NGOs’, which will take place in London on 18 November and Geneva on 20 November 2008. It is designed to enable international charities to access new donors in new markets, focusing upon four key areas; Asia, Latin America, Australasia and the Gulf. The event costs £200 +VAT.
www.managementcentre.co.uk/seminars
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.