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Šta su…crowdsourcing i crowdfunding mehanizmi?

Sećate li se zapisa o predviđanjima za razvoj filantropije na Balkanu? Jedno od deset predviđanja za razvoj filantropije na Balkanu bilo je:

“Razviće se novi mehanizmi i alati koji će olakšati davanje. Opšte povećanje transakcija na internetu povećaće internet filantropiju (davanje putem interneta); razviće se i drugi alati i mehanizmi uključujući davanje od plate i trajni nalog. Pojačaće se promocija mehanizama crowdsourcing i crowdfunding.”

Dakle, šta su zapravo crowdsourcing (kraudsorsing) i crowdfunding (kraudfanding)? Izvor sveg znanja (poznat i kao Vikipedija) kaže:

November 6, 2012

Inside the Minds of Donors: Portrait of a Donor – Ladislav Kossar

I have been following the Philanthropy Posts for some time and what really interests me are the articles about the „new donors“ in our region. New donors are successful people who made their fortunes and decided to focus and invest part of it in the philanthropy. Of course, there are not that many Bill Gates around but I am glad to say that even in Slovakia we hear more and more stories about the people who switched their attention from the businesses to the social realm and public benefit. I would like to share some of their stories with you.

This story is about a highly business skilled and oriented guy who has found his happiness in helping children from foster homes. I believe that his example could be an inspiration for new donors in Central Europe, too.

April 19, 2012

Cultivating local donors: how can experienced ping pong player become new Novak Djokovic?

In November 2010 group of representatives from nonprofit organizations that support local philanthropy development from Western Balkan countries has met to discuss the strategies for further development of the philanthropy in our countries. Trying to describe the obstacles that nonprofit organizations have while organizing local fundraising activities, I used analogy – person with very good ping-pong playing skills that is trying to play tennis. Being quite good and experienced in playing ping-pong – as nonprofits are in writing proposals, maintaining good donor relations and implementing projects funded by the international donor agencies – does not qualify us much in becoming new Nole in tennis – that is being good in local fundraising strategies and tactics.

April 6, 2012

What are crowdsourcing and crowdfunding?

Remember the post about predictions for philanthropy development in the Balkans? Well, one of the predictions was “New mechanisms and tools will be developed as to make giving easier. General increase of e-transactions will influence increase of e-philanthropy (online giving)… Promotion of crowdsourcing and crowdfunding mechanisms will increase.”

So what exactly are crowdsourcing and crowdfunding? Well, the source of all knowledge (also known as Wikipedia) says:

March 23, 2012

Why developing philanthropy is not a waste of time

Zoran Stojkovski’s article about local NGOs and local philanthropy definitely provoked me to share some of the thoughts on this issue. To start with data, Zoran shared that in Macedonia, “less than 10% of donations and sponsorships from local business sector goes to NGOs”. Not that is much different in other countries: in Bosnia and Herzegovina only about 17% of CSO report community contributions and 12% business contributions; in Croatia only 6,2% of CSOs income comes from companies; in Serbia, in the most recent research, 35% of CSOs stated financial support from business and 11% support from citizens. Last weeks’ post from Turkey reports that over 87% of individuals prefers direct giving as opposed to giving to CSOs. Just to back up this data, last years’ media monitoring showed that institutions are “beating” CSOs as recipients of the donations in all countries except Croatia.

March 16, 2012

Philanthropy in the region: Introducing Republic of Turkey

The size of philanthropy and social investment in Turkey are growing. Although philanthropy in Turkey is on the increase, the institutional form of giving is still low, reflecting a gap in knowledge about how to give effectively and a consequent lack of sophistication in mechanisms for giving.

Individual Giving

Individual giving is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious fabric of Turkey, yet it is these traditions that make Turkish people more likely to give directly to family and neighbors than through more organized efforts to civil society organizations (CSOs).  In fact, 80% of individuals report giving financial donations, but 87% prefer direct giving as the most effective form of philanthropy as opposed to giving to CSOs.

March 8, 2012

Local NGOs and Local Philanthropy – A natural match or… not quite?

Thinking about how to introduce and support undertaking more fundraising activities for mobilization of local resources to NGOs from Macedonia, CIRa in 2007 introduced so called “Philanthropy Development Grants (PDG)” under USAID funded CSSP- type of challenge grants where we offered to match all funds raised from local sources up to 5000 US$. Most of 13 organizations supported, succeed in their fundraising efforts (total of around 50.000 US$ from local resources raised) and especially they have stressed positive impact that their local fundraising efforts made to increasing their visibility on local level. The reaction of one NGO that was not so successful (only 525 US$ raised out of Silent Auction they organized) sharing their disappointment was” if we spend a month in project proposal development, than we will have raised 70.000 US$, and that for us organizing local fundraising event is simply wasting of time”. Except few organizations that have their annual budget covered from individual and corporate donations (i.e. Borka-local association that fight against breast cancer), most NGOs in Macedonia still think like NGO from example described above and believe that they will receive grant from remaining grant programs of international donors.

March 2, 2012

Philanthropy in the region: Introducing Republic of Kosovo

Kosovars have a well-grounded history philanthropic work. Over the years the work has changed in shapes and sizes but the essence of improving the lives of others has remained intact. The solidarity and warmness that the Kosovar community has for its fellow men has been a part of its past and continues to be a part of its future. This generosity was clearly demonstrated during the recent extremely cold winter days in Europe. During these snowy days, we experienced how individuals and companies mobilized themselves to plow snow, open up the roads and help those in need. After all, that’s the municipalities’ job but individuals acted as an extended arm to local authorities.

February 24, 2012

Inside the Minds of Donors (Part III): Portrait of a Donor – Peter Kulloi

In the fall of 2011, a friendly reference brought me an invitation to two-day workshop on philanthropy in Hungary and opportunity to meet a remarkable person: Peter Kulloi, businessman  and philanthropists. Peter’s background sounds pretty simple: he was an investment banker, first in Budapest then in London. He retired at the age of 40 and became involved in philanthropy, both as a founder of the non-profit foundation but also as a supporter/Board member of number of non-profit initiatives and causes.

Peter made deep impression on me – firstly, because he had some very interesting observations on philanthropy, charities, fundraising, but also because he was/is the first person that I’ve met that said – “I’ve earned enough money! Now I want to give it back!”

This post brings some of Peter’s thoughts on giving, non-profits, philanthropy:

February 17, 2012

Philanthropy in the region: Introducing Republic of Macedonia

January is a month when people in Macedonia celebrate among several religious holydays (Orthodox Christmas, Epiphany, etc) and the birthday of Toshe Proeski – the famous singer that tragically lost his life in October 2007 in a car incident in Croatia. This 25th of January, on the day of his 31st birthday, several fundraising events were organized in order to remember this great young man that was known in Balkans not only as a singer but as a person that has initiated and organized many humanitarian and philanthropic activities. Toshe’s last concert, organized several days before his death was fundraiser-he succeeded to raise more than 100.000 $US for reconstructions in the primary schools in Macedonia.

February 10, 2012