Throwing light on new era of CSR in India

With the passage of Indian Companies Bill 2012 in lower house of Indian Parliament, the country is abuzz with optimism and confusion simultaneously. While broadly the new provisions have been welcomed, the bill in its current shape raises lots of questions.

At this turning point "CSR Reborn" comes in with some answers and postulations. I gained several insights editing the book. Three of the industry captains in CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and Corporate Sustainability have also lavished praise on the book (see the back cover). The contributors to this book have decades of experience in the development and CSR sector, hence the praise does not appear out of place.

The book has been published by SAFRG, which is a not-for-profit think tank on philanthropy and CSR working in Asia since 1989. The book is officially being released at 24th South Asian International Workshop on Fundraising and CSR, which is being held from August 1-3, 2013 at Awesome Farms, Faridabad-Sohna Road, New Delhi NCR. This is a gathering of varied audience from more than 10 countries across Asia, Australia, Africa and North America and hence an apt platform for unveiling the book (more details on www.safrg.org).

You can lay hands on a copy by writing in to nandita@safrg.org. It is priced at INR 450 or USD 10 per copy.

Your annual fundraising destination 2012!

Announcement

SAFRG-South Asian Fund Raising Group

announces its

23rd Annual International Workshop 

November 28-30, 2012

India International Centre, New Delhi, India

Block your calendar for this foremost event on fundraising, communications and strategy for the non-profit sector in South Asia and other developing countries

Excellent opportunity to learn from and network with leading fundraisers, communication and CSR professionals, representatives of Funding Agencies and Foundations 

Higly relevant for NGO leaders, fundraisers, CSR professionals, volunteers, friends of NGOs

and all those who desire to gain skills in fundraising!

CAN YOU AFFORD TO MISS IT?

To find out more, please contact us: programs@safrg.org

or call + 91 11 2613 2024, 2613 2086

www.safrg.org

Asia's most awaited Fundraising Summit is here!

The 22nd edition of South Asian International Fund Raising Summit is happening from Dec.3-4 at India Islamic Center, New Delhi.

With a line of expert fundraisers as speakers the Summit is billed to be quite an attraction for NGOs. Also present would be people from the CSR domain.

The summit organisers have also kept the participation fee at levels affordable to all.

More details on www.safrg.org

Monthly Giving Does it Make Sense in South Asia?

I am writing this aboard the train, returning after my two back to back sessions on Monthly Giving at 20th South Asian Fundraising Workshop, Jaipur.

As expected there was a huge debate on why Monthly-Giving would not work in the developing world. Although my cause was much helped by fundraising guru Tony Elisher in his master class and plenary session, where he emphasized the importance of monthly and committed giving.

At times, I get a similar gasp of surprise from fundraisers in the West, when I share that NGOs in the region raise one time donations through Face to Face fundraising.

In short there appear to be contrasting positions that may take some time to move. I have seen monthly giving working in Japan, South East Asia, so for sure it works in Asia. It is also working in India for organisations like GreenPeace and UNICEF.

The other non-profits seem to be quiet happy with one time donations. The reason being that in India a one time donation is usually acquired at an ROI of 2. This means if you spend a dollar on acquiring a donor you get two dollars back immediately. This is good, but the question to ask is about one time donor retention. I have still to see more than 30-35% retention of donors in the second year in the region. At the same time the monthly donors may take at least 3-4 years to drop down to that level of attrition. Which clearly means a higher long term value.

I am sure in the years to come this would change. I feel so happy to see a big change already in the general attitude towards fundraising from individual, compared to workshops I attended 3-4 years before.

By the by I promised the delegates that I would upload my presentation here. The same is available below for download and free circulation.

Monthly Donors Are You Doing Them

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