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Introduction


As the programmes and projects of non profit organisations expand, the need for money to run their operations becomes all the more critical. Much of this comes from third party funding organisations, either in the country where the non-profit organisation operates, or in overseas industrial countries that assist projects in developing countries.

Non-profit organisations in today’s world face a complex and evolving environment. N ew organisations added each day make competition fiercer than ever. Donors are different, too. Today’s donor wants more than just a thank you. He or she wants to better understand and engage in the organisation’s mission. And because of this increased interest and involvement, there is an increased focus on accountability as well. To keep Fortune Development Centre alive and in the forefront of our donors’ minds despite these challenges, we may find ourselves needing to reinvent our approach to fundraising. That’s where technology comes into play.

ICT has the potential to improve every aspect of a private voluntary organisation’s operations. But where does one start? What is most important? As a development professional, time is precious. How does one know where to invest the majority of one’s resources time and money alike? Where should one rely on technology the most? Although the challenges may be numerous, there are a few key areas in which technology can really make a difference.

Through our interaction with Salesforce.org we are discovering that Fortune DC can be assisted to increase donations, communicate better with supporters and donors, and strengthen our relationships with our high value donors.

Fortune DC Beginnings and Progression

  • Fortune DC started the process of registration in Zimbabwe in 2010 and followed this by registering a Swedish Chapter in 2012. Our fundraising started here in Stockholm with a philanthropist from the Immanuel International Fellowship donating 2,000SEK (approximately USD250 in 2012). She has continued to donate the same amount every year. There are several other philanthropists who have joined with different amounts either on a monthly or on an ad hoc basis.
  • As Fortune DC constituted into a non-profit organisation on November 20, 2012, the Swedish Chapter Board Members resolved to pay an annual membership fee of 250SEK (USD40). A domino effect was followed by the organization on March 8, 2014 of a fundraising function where the Founder/Director’s paintings were auctioned. This function raised about 9,640SEK (USD1,205). This has evolved into an annual fundraising function where paintings, that include those by enthusiastic well wishers, are auctioned.
  • The Immanuel International Fellowship the cradle of Fortune DC has joined the fundraising by giving permission for Church offerings to be made when it is considered essential to ignite the fire for our community based projects in Honde Valley. This has cascaded into donations from the Youth and Children’s Ministries.
  • And then the arrival on the scène à faire of KIC InnoEnergy supported by SWECO and SELECT funding the scientific study by a group of MSc students from the Stockholm KTH (Royal Institute of Technology) and the Barcelona UPC (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) who visited Honde Valley in December 2016 and March 2017. This study resulted into Opportunities for Sustainable Community Development of Ward 10 in Honde Valley, June 2017. This report produced a popcorn effect that has resulted in the need to implement several community based projects. On the basis of the KIC-InnoEnergy funded study, Engineers Without Borders, Sweden in October 2019 signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) with Fortune DC to collaborate in the implementation of the Water Resources Harmonization Project in Honde Valley.
  • Furthermore, the Founder/Director resolved to use part of his pension to fund the on going construction of the Eco Tourism Hospitality Facility (including Dombo Gallery) and purchases of crucial ICT equipment needed to establish the vital Internet connectivity in Honde Valley. This is what Fortune DC calls kuzviitira (not to go fundraising with empty hands). This has led to the establishment of an Internet Café at Hauna and the WiFi Satellite Dish for the Eco Tourism Hospitality Facility. The ICT Management @haunainternetcafe has developed a new look WEBSITE which Fortune DC uses as a platform for fundraising and marketing.
  • With that policy of KUZVIITIRA in mind, Fortune DC has been fortunate to attract salesforce.org onto the scène à faire . In that scenario, a list of projects was presented on May 22, 2020 to solicit donors into our project implementation efforts:
  • 1. Water Tank Rehabilitation (installed by Plan International): USD14,132
  • 2. Cybernet Networking Project: USD53,940 of which:
      Hauna Internet and Mobility: USD$51,500
      Eco-Tourism WiFi Ultraboost and Printer: USD$2 ,440
  • 3. Eco-Tourism; Transport and Mobility: USD40,500 of which:
      Amount already donated for a Minibus: USD500
      Amount required: USD40,000
  • 4. Eco-Tourism; Hospitality Facility: USD163,592 of which:
      Amount already expended: USD $94,768
      Amount required USD68,824
  • 5. Dombo Gallery: USD10,276 of which:
      Amount already expended: USD5,862
      Amount required USD4,414
  • 6. Community Welfare Centre: USD128,339
  • 7. Motor Mechanic Workshop and Kiosk: USD58.7m for which
      Motor Mechanic Workshop: $30.2 million
      Filling Station: $24.4 million
      Kiosk: $4.1 million
  • 8. Marketing Resources: USD1,349 of which:
      Laptop: USD349
      Printer and Photocopier: USD1,000
  • 9. Rock Paintings’ Geopark Landscaping: USD4.8m
  • 10. Community Intervention: USD1,400