The specific services offered by SoChange can be grouped into five broad categories:

1) Writing and consultation on major foundation and government proposals

The ever-growing endowments of private foundations, coupled with increased international development budgets of some state actors, has led to exciting new opportunities for non-governmental organizations. However, increasing demand for funds has also spurred donor bodies to be more selective as to who they partner with. SoChange has extensive experience in writing funding proposals of varying degrees of scope, and will help your organization make headway in processes that would otherwise give you headaches.

2) Monitoring and evaluating operations

Scrutiny on the part of funding partners doesn’t stop at the point of initial approval. Indeed, most donors are going to want to ensure that their resources are being used in the most effective ways possible. Many large actors, such as government development agencies, will even send representatives to survey your NGO’s process in the field. SoChange will take various consultation steps, including the conduction of field visits, to help you ensure that your operations are not only satisfying the requirements of your benefactors, but also effectively meeting the needs of your own beneficiaries.

3) Designing communication and marketing strategies

In order to effectively raise funds and promote the causes that it espouses, an NGO must develop comprehensive marketing and communications strategies. SoChange possesses the capacity and experience to formulate and implement a diverse range of media campaigns to increase public awareness and support of your work. We also specialize in maintaining relations with current partners through means such as writing thank you letters, sending out program updates, and conducting speaking tours.

4) Planning fundraising and advocacy events

One of the best ways that organizations can rally support behind their cause is by holding a large-scale event that not only makes their brand visible, but also generates greater public knowledge about their specialty area. In September 2008, SoChange organized Why Everything Must Change, which, along with bringing together well-regarded speakers to discuss social justice issues, raised funds and awareness for Asian Outreach Cambodia. Contact SoChange to learn how it can assist in organizing a similar event for your NGO!

5) Building and brokering relationships between donors and grassroots NGO’s

With so many older, well-established organizations already working in the field, it can be easy for a startup NGO to feel like a small fish in a big pond. By outsourcing tasks to SoChange, your organization not only allies itself with an actor experienced in brokering relationships with major funding bases, but also benefits from the cost-savings of not hiring full-time staff to perform the same tasks.