Impact Matrix
The main purpose is to fund the diversity of projects and initiatives that oikos offers which help facilitate the goal of oikos as an organization and to make this fundraising process FUN through collaborative efforts by increasing clarity & transparency, with open & vulnerable communication.
History/Origin of Idea
Fundraising used to be done by an outside NGO (oikos Foundation) that was connected to oikos International (oI) and did exclusively the fundraising for oI. For some years now, it has been done by oI team directly and thus, it is still in a development stage, where many ideas and approaches are being prototyped, explored and practiced.
Main Audience
-NGOs, philanthropists and companies
-Universities connected to the topic of sustainability
-Individuals around the globe
-oikos alumni
-Partners & friends of oikos – through our alternative fundraising efforts (i.e. crowdfunding) etc.
-oikos International Team
Stakeholders
All of our donating partners and donating individuals, which we are tremendously grateful for their continuous support.
Wider Objectives
- Design & implement new structures & processes for our fundraising efforts
- Develop new habits & mindsets around the complexity and emotions which this topic of money & value brings
- Establish roles and responsibilities while defining where we are now with funding needs
- Secure oikos’ financial sustainability through diversification & continuous, shared efforts & attention to the subject
- Achieve the cashflow and financial independency of oikos through fundraising.
Timeline
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Collaborative Fundraising.50
07/07/2022Topicsfundraising; organisational development
Achievements and Development– New drive structure developed
– Finance/Fundrasinsing circle implemented with bi-monthly meetings to exchange & engage
– New support structure developed, incl. User guides & other support material being developed
– New dashboard for the whole team, serving as a map for the new territory
– Increased number of outreach & grant proposal with positive feedback
– Increased clarity on our objectives & principles, leading to clear decisions
– New volunteers engaged and integrated into existing volunteer support circle
– Established check-ins with advisors & mentors to gather feedback and support
– Researched alternative and non-traditional ways to fundraising through crowdfunding
– Joined online platforms to expand the reach and awareness of our work
Key Learnings- Fundraising is a difficult & new topic for many. We collaboratively challenge old mindsets to money while exploring generational and societaly expectations This is also work on beliefs & cross-generational patterns
- We are lucky to have some great partners who role model the relationships we envision to embark on with future partners, as well
- It takes time & patience to develop structures & have the whole team on board, claiming their ownership
- Finding our voice and how to present oikos and our impact is an important skills we all need
Touched hearts25 (oikos International team)
Diversity & InclusionWe included aspects of diversity & inclusion in the design phase of the project. The topics play a big role in our fundraising efforts from several perspectives (eg. diversification of financial resources, or inclusivity of processes for all oikos Internet team members, or transparency in general)
Stories & HighlightsIn one of our fundraising circle meetings, we discussed the topic of shame. For many of us the work with & around money brought up a sensation of helplessness, having to retreat which might be well-informed by how our society treats the topic of money-related relationships or how we grew up as individuals. We concluded that it is worth to look deeper into our own stories as we move ahead.
The process of writing grants and funding applications can be a long one but it becomes easier and easier the more you do it because you develop your ‘voice.’ At oikos, we are finding our path forward in learning how to tell stories about our work and convey to funders and partners the impact their support has through us.
“When I joined oikos as a president I thought fundraising would be my least favourite role. By now I enjoy learning about the philanthropic world & getting in touch with like-minded organizations on an eye-level, together with my teammates. There’s so much to discover!” – Sophie Charrois
“I’ve been very impressed by the team’s attitude and willingness to pick up fundraising. It isn’t an easy job but we all realize how important it is as it facilitates our work and impact we have.” – Stephen Snider
Future Aspirations & Milestones- Finalize all support material (database, info material, user guide etc.)
- New habits & behavioural patterns integrated throughout the team
- Multiple successful grant proposals & energizing new partnerships
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Collaborative Fundraising.54
21/06/2023Achievements and DevelopmentThe past months have been dominated by focusing new energy on fundraising to enable our continuity and activities of the year.
We have secured CHF 22’092.85 in revenues in the past 3 months of which CHF 12900 is funding for our general budget. The rest was raised for our projects LEAP YOUth and oikos Camp.
Key LearningsWhen it comes to donor communication, one key learning among the team was to really ask specific questions on what should be included in a funding proposal early on. For instance, what kind of quantitative/qualitative impact is supposed to be shared, if a strategic vision is required and/or the precise implementation plan.
Furthermore, we have learned that it is better to navigate funding proposals together rather than working on them alone.
Touched hearts14 individuals seemed to have been touched by our work as they have donated during our most recent crowdfunding campaign. 4 foundations have sned or confirmed to generous donations to us.
Stories & HighlightsA highlight has been an additional donation by Partners For a New Economy (P4NE), an organization who has been supporting us over the past years. They have decided to provide their current grantees with some additional financial support due to the currently challenging economic situation.
Future Aspirations & MilestonesThe update of our constitution in April has opened new opportunities for sponsorships and offering services to other organizations. This new way of fundraising is yet to be explored but we have high aspirations to further approach for-profit organizations.
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Collaborative Fundraising.52
19/02/2023Achievements and Development– In 2022, the fundraising circle started as a space to help every initiative through regular check-ins & fundraising support,
– There was a successful launch of our CrowdFunding efforts through multiple campaigns including a very impact Alumni sponsored campaign,
– Adoption and Development of new infrastructure, trying lots of new ideas and prototyping workshops to help move our efforts forward,
– Identifying our CashFlows & Budget Gaps
Touched heartsoikees within these teams where involved:
- Fundraising Circle
- Fundraising Support
- Fundraising Advisor
- Partnership Circle
- Co-Presidents
- Fundraising Volunteers
Our donors from our Partnership circle:
- AVIVA Investors
- European Youth Foundations
- Corymbo
- Movetia
- P4NE
- Stiftung Evidenz
Stories & HighlightsThe Fundraising Circle connects all the other circles of oikos to make Fundraising efforts a central part of our responsibilities. Fundraising is no longer a centralized and silo-ed function but something we work collaboratively on as a team. Each initiative and program participates, brings leads, provides ideas & feedback, works on fundraising applications, and shares learnings. The Fundraising Circle meets bi-monthly and additionally to initiative representatives, fundraising volunteers join this call and dedicate a few hours a week to advance this plan.
Future Aspirations & Milestones- Identify our Goals/Gaps for Fundraising in 2023: clarity on direction and where we go next with our efforts, budgeting gaps, and fundraising targets
- Pitch your program and what you do: practicing our Pitches together and how we share about ourselves to the wider world
- Prepare more materials useful for outreach to organizations and get into the “Doing” side with applications