Better Giving Nonprofit Spotlight: Community Action for Sustainable Development Sierra Leone
Posted: May 3, 2024
We caught up with Brima Kabbah, the Executive Director of Community Action for Sustainable Development Sierra Leone, to discuss how digital or online giving has played a part in aiding the nonprofit with their fundraising and finances.
What’s your role, and how did you/the charity get involved with digital or online giving?
As the Executive Director of Community Action for Sustainable Development Sierra Leone, my role involves leading and directing the organization’s overall strategy, operations, and initiatives. One significant initiative I’ve led is our involvement in digital or online giving.
Recognizing the importance of adapting to changing donor behavior and embracing digital trends in fundraising, I initiated the exploration of digital giving opportunities within our organization. Through thorough research and strategic planning, we identified the need to integrate online giving into our fundraising efforts to reach a wider audience and enhance donor engagement.
To facilitate our involvement in digital giving, I oversaw the development of the necessary infrastructure, including setting up secure payment gateways and user-friendly donation portals on our website. Additionally, I led efforts to promote our online giving options through various digital channels, such as social media, email newsletters, and targeted advertising campaigns.
Since implementing digital giving strategies, our experience has been largely positive. We’ve observed increased donor engagement, expanded reach, and a rise in online donations. Monitoring key metrics has allowed us to evaluate the effectiveness of our strategies and make necessary adjustments for optimization.
Had you ever used endowments before or ever thought of using them?
We have primarily focused on utilizing online fund donation platforms like Better Giving to expand our interaction with beneficiaries, particularly vulnerable and marginalized groups of women and girls in rural communities.
Regarding endowments, while we haven’t used them in the past, we have indeed considered their potential benefits. Endowments could provide a stable and long-term source of funding for our organization’s programs and initiatives. They offer financial security and sustainability by generating income through investments, which can then be used to support our ongoing efforts in serving communities in Sierra Leone.
The Better Giving Sustainability Fund, in particular, could play a crucial role in supporting our organization’s long-term sustainability initiatives. By establishing an endowment with Better Giving, we have created a dedicated fund that will generate returns over time and provide a reliable source of income to support our projects and operations. This would allow us to expand our reach, deepen our impact, and continue serving vulnerable populations in Sierra Leone for years to come.
How has the Better Giving experience been so far? What have you been able to do?
As pioneers in leveraging Better Giving for online fundraising, our experience thus far has been overwhelmingly positive despite some challenges encountered over the past year. Better Giving has provided us with a powerful platform to engage donors, expand our reach, and make a tangible impact in the communities we serve in Sierra Leone.
One notable success story that highlights the impact of funds raised via Better Giving involves our initiative to provide vocational training and economic empowerment opportunities for marginalized women and girls in rural areas.
SUCCESS:
Through Better Giving, we launched a targeted fundraising campaign to highlight the importance of education and skills development in empowering women to break the cycle of poverty and achieve financial independence. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we were able to raise significant funds, exceeding our initial expectations.
With the funds raised through Better Giving, we were able to establish vocational training centers in several rural communities, providing women and girls with access to training programs in areas such as tailoring, agriculture, and small business management. These programs not only equipped participants with valuable skills but also empowered them to start their own businesses and become financially self-sufficient.
Meet Fatmata:
One particularly inspiring success story involves a young woman named Fatmata, who participated in our tailoring training program funded through Better Giving. With the skills she acquired, Fatmata was able to start her own tailoring business, creating and selling garments within her community. Not only did this provide her with a steady income, but it also inspired other women in her village to pursue similar opportunities.
Through Better Giving, we have been able to witness firsthand the transformative impact of online fundraising in empowering individuals and communities to create positive change. We are grateful for the support of our donors through Better Giving and remain committed to leveraging this platform to continue making a difference in the lives of those we serve in Sierra Leone
How do you think Better Giving will be able to benefit your nonprofit in the future?
Looking ahead, we believe that Better Giving will continue to be a valuable asset for our nonprofit organization in several ways:
- Sustainable Funding: Better Giving provides us with a reliable platform for online fundraising, enabling us to diversify our funding sources and establish a more sustainable financial base for our programs and initiatives. By continually engaging donors through Better Giving, we can maintain a steady stream of support to fund our projects in Sierra Leone.
- Expanded Reach: Better Giving allows us to reach a broader audience of potential donors, both locally and globally. As we continue to grow our presence on the platform and implement targeted marketing strategies, we anticipate attracting new supporters who are passionate about our cause and eager to contribute to our efforts in serving vulnerable communities.
- Donor Engagement: Better Giving offers various tools and features to enhance donor engagement and stewardship. Through personalized communication, updates on project outcomes, and opportunities for involvement, we can foster deeper connections with our donors, inspiring continued support and long-term commitment to our organization.
- Innovation and Adaptation: As Better Giving evolves and introduces new features and functionalities, we can leverage these innovations to further optimize our fundraising efforts and enhance the donor experience. By staying informed about emerging trends and best practices in online giving, we can remain at the forefront of digital fundraising and adapt our strategies accordingly.
- Measurable Impact: Better Giving provides robust analytics and reporting capabilities, allowing us to track the impact of our fundraising campaigns in real time. By monitoring key performance metrics and analyzing donor behaviour, we can gain valuable insights into what resonates with our audience and refine our approach to maximize effectiveness.
Do you have any immediate needs? Or immediate plans for using the funding?
Currently, we have several immediate plans for using funding to further our livelihood empowerment projects for GBV survivors. Some of these plans include:
- Expanding Vocational Training Programs: We plan to expand our vocational training programs to provide survivors with valuable skills in areas such as tailoring, handicrafts, agriculture, and entrepreneurship. By equipping survivors with practical skills, we aim to enhance their economic opportunities and promote self-sufficiency.
- Establishing Microenterprise Development: We intend to establish microenterprise development initiatives that provide survivors with access to startup capital, business mentorship, and market linkages. By supporting small-scale businesses owned and operated by survivors, we can help them generate sustainable income and achieve financial independence.
- Providing Psychosocial Support Services: In addition to economic empowerment, we recognize the importance of providing comprehensive psychosocial support services to survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). We plan to allocate funding towards counseling, trauma healing workshops, peer support groups, and other psychosocial interventions to address the emotional and mental well-being of survivors.
- Community Awareness and Advocacy: We will allocate funding towards community awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts to combat GBV, challenge harmful social norms, and promote gender equality. By engaging with local communities, leaders, and stakeholders, we can foster a supportive environment that condemns violence and supports survivors.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: We prioritize monitoring and evaluation to ensure the effectiveness and impact of our projects. We plan to allocate funding towards data collection, tracking key performance indicators, and conducting participatory assessments to assess the outcomes of our livelihood empowerment initiatives for GBV survivors.
Can you share an inspiring story from your work?
Yes. This involves a young woman named Aminata, who participated in our vocational training program for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).
Aminata had experienced significant trauma and hardship due to GBV, which had left her feeling hopeless and unsure about her future. However, upon joining our vocational training program, she discovered a newfound sense of purpose and resilience.
Despite facing numerous challenges along the way, including financial constraints and societal stigma, Aminata remained determined to succeed. With the support of our dedicated team and fellow participants, she embraced the opportunity to learn new skills and pursue her passion for entrepreneurship.
Through hard work, perseverance, and unwavering determination, Aminata not only completed the vocational training program but also launched her own small business—a tailoring shop specializing in traditional African attire. Her business not only provided her with a source of income but also served as a beacon of hope and inspiration for other survivors in her community.
Today, Aminata is thriving as a successful entrepreneur, proudly showcasing her handmade creations at local markets and events. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of empowerment and support in helping survivors of GBV rebuild their lives and reclaim their futures.
This story exemplifies the resilience, courage, and strength of the individuals we work with, as well as the dedication and passion of our team in facilitating positive change in our communities. It showcases the heart and soul of our nonprofit organization and the profound impact of our work in empowering survivors of GBV to overcome adversity and achieve their dreams.
How do people find out more? About what you do? Do you have any social media links?
You can visit and like our page on Facebook or join our group on LinkedIn – we can always do with your donation as well.
So, you can donate RIGHT NOW on our Better Giving marketplace page. We REALLY appreciate your donation. It goes to great use.