Setting up an NGO

Most NGOs start with a good idea, a wish to help others in some way. An NGO can be very small, but still very successful and helpful in a community.

Below are some basic recommendations to help in planning an NGO.

Consider:

What do you want your NGO to achieve in the community?

In which geographical locality will the NGO work?

Who will be the management, staff and volunteers?

How will you find funding?

What are the difficulties the NGO might face in achieving its mission?

What might help the NGO to do its work?

What activities can the NGO realistically carry out, and what time frame is necessary for each activity?

The answers to these questions will provide the basis for planning the NGO's work.

It helps for NGOs to have a written mission statement, and a project plan with timing and details about how the projects will be carried out.

Funding proposals will be more likely to meet with success if they contain a mission statement and detailed project plan.

Most funders will want to have a clear idea of the future mission of the NGO and information about any past achievements. Funders will want to know how their money will be spent. They may ask to see accounts and evaluations.