Collaboration With Like-Minded Organizations as Strategic Means to Share Costs and to Secure Funding as Viable Alternative to Raise Funding Traditionally

• Published in: Journal of global oncology Vol. 4; no. Supplement 2; pp. 250 - 250s
• Main Author: Tasnim, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.10.2018
• ISSN: 2378-9506; 2378-9506
• DOI: 10.1200/jgo.18.99600

Abstract only Background and context: Aparajita Society Against Cancer is a not-for-profit 100% volunteer-based organization run by cancer survivors in Bangladesh. Aparajita provides moral, psychological, and financial supports and connects cancer patients and their families with appropriate treatment facilities. Aparajita also runs awareness and educational campaigns and screening camos for early detection. Funding always remains a critical problem in conducting its activities. Though traditional fund raising through donations remain an important means, Aparajita explored other ways of funding its activities. Aim: The aim is to build win–win partnerships with like-minded organizations to secure funding for Aparajita´s activities. Strategy/Tactics: Aparajita recognized that providing due credit to like-minded partner organizations can encourage viable partnerships to share costs, which can reduce cost of funding by Aparajita. Aparajita identified Rotary Clubs as potential partners for jointly organizing events as they are also engaged in community service and not having much activities in this area. Two of its members are Rotarians, who helped in connecting Aparajita with Rotary Clubs. Program process: Aparajita shared its activities, successes, impacts and proposed activities with 1 of the Rotary Clubs and explained our proposed mode of collaborations, including sharing of costs and impacts created by each. Then we worked out a budget and often provided the lead role to Rotary Club in organizing and requesting other clubs to join. Costs and returns: Aparajita greatly reduced its own share of costs while improving the physical targets and qualitative achievements. What was learned: We learnt that establishing partnerships in jointly organizing activities can reduce pressure on funds otherwise raised through donations. We can achieve more and increase the number of volunteers. This is very much sustainable.