Fundraising is the fundamental process of finding funds that aims to ensure financial sustainability and to allow the continuous advancement of projects and the realisation of the mission of Third Sector organisations. Nowadays it can no longer be limited to spontaneous initiatives, but is based on well-organised strategies such as donation campaigns, charity events, participation in public calls, collaborations with private companies...
The ABCR Festival, organised by the Brazilian Association of Fundraisers (ABCR, in Portuguese), stands out for promoting the sustainability of civil society organisations through fundraising. With over 550 members throughout Brazil, the ABCR has become an essential body for the advancement and professionalisation of the sector.
During the two days of the event, several activities were scheduled, including stimulating conferences and interactive sessions on fundraising and financing strategies aimed at achieving conditions of social justice.
The Salesian Mary Help of Christians Province of Sao Paolo Brazil (BSP) had a significant presence at the event, demonstrating its strong commitment to the development of fundraising for its works. The fair was attended by 17 participants, led by the Coordinator of the Provincial Commission for Social Action, Jéssica de Jesus, the Coordinator of the Secretariat for Development and Planning, Ana Lucia Franzoni, and the Provincial Delegate for Communication, Pedro Barreto.
Fundraising is essential for the Salesian Province of Sao Paolo, as it allows it to support and expand its social works, which in 2023 benefited more than 45,000 people and provided two million services with an investment of over 100 million reais (about 16.6 million euro).
Among the formation courses offered at the ABCR fair, from which the members of the Province were able to benefit, were topics such as the challenges and fundraising strategies, the fundraising methodology and the challenges of a 360° campaign in the Third Sector. For example, on the first day, the case of a charitable foundation was presented that within 3 years, by restructuring its campaigns, managed to double (from 40 to 80 million reais) the funds raised.
On the second day, a great learning opportunity came from the session on the theme "Relations with large companies" which opened the horizons to the possibility of collaboration and fundraising with the most important companies active on the market.
Faced with the growing need to strengthen skills in fundraising, the staff of the BSP Province also participated in the course "Strategies for success in fundraising: enhancing social action on the network", offered by the Salesian Network Brazil (RSB), whose objective was to develop strategic skills for the drafting of action plans, offering clarity on the main sources of funding and how to raise funds in a network.
At the end of the event, the comments of the participants were very satisfied. "It was a strategically considered participation, because fundraising must be aligned with the strategy and positioning of the organisation, as well as its image. The Festival was not only a moment of learning, but also of contact with new possibilities on the market", said Dr Franzoni.
“This experience has strengthened our professionalism not only in fundraising, but also in measuring social impact. And it was encouraging to see so many innovative initiatives and advances in technology that can benefit our social works," Dr de Jesus echoed.
"We hope that the festival will give rise to new collaborations and innovative ideas, in line with Don Bosco's ideal of being agents of transformation in the lives of children and young people", concluded the Salesians of BSP.
