Local Fundraising Training 2.0: Empowering Community-Based Organizations
From July 15th to 19th, 2024, Metzy Hotel was buzzing with excitement as we held our second local fundraising training event. This event brought together 11 fantastic Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), each represented by two eager participants. The enthusiasm to learn and collaborate was evident right from the start!

The first day was all about building a strong foundation for successful fundraising. Facilitators dove into the nitty-gritty of local fundraising, teaching participants how to identify potential supporters and understand what motivates them. They also stressed the importance of listening attentively to donors to build strong relationships.
A highlight of the day was a lively brainstorming session. The facilitators challenged participants to think creatively about how their organizations could raise funds. The energy was contagious as everyone shared ideas and realized the power of community support.
Over the next few days, the training focused on practical strategies for finding donors and building relationships. Through group activities and discussions, participants learned how to tailor their approach to different types of supporters and communicate their organization’s mission effectively.

On the fourth day, we delved deeper into donor research. Participants learned how to create detailed profiles of potential supporters and map out their giving patterns. This knowledge is crucial for targeted fundraising efforts.
The final day was dedicated to event planning. The facilitators guided participants through organizing successful fundraising events, from setting goals to promoting the event.

We were thrilled to welcome Lamin Mokendeh Darboe, a respected youth leader, as a guest speaker on the last day. Lamin shared his valuable insights on grassroots fundraising in The Gambia, inspiring everyone with his passion and experience.
As the training wrapped up, we were excited about these CBOs’ potential. With the skills and knowledge they gained, they are now equipped to make a real difference in their communities. We can not wait to see the amazing things they will accomplish!
Participants Testimonials
The training resonated deeply with participants, as evidenced by their enthusiastic feedback:
- Fatou Touray Cham-National Director, Buzz Women Gambia: “This training has helped me understand my community better, improve my communication skills, and build valuable partnerships. I am eager to apply these learnings to strengthen our work.”
- Oumie Jammeh-Shine Light I Girls Education, President: “I have learned a lot, especially from my team members. Understanding their organizations and building relationships has been incredibly beneficial. I now feel confident in writing project proposals and securing funding.”
- Aisha Jallow-Think Young Women, Programme Assistant: “This training was amazing! I have gained valuable skills in project proposal writing and fundraising. I am excited to apply this knowledge to mobilize funds for my organization.”
- Musa Badjie-Free Education Drive, Finance Officer: “This training has provided me with valuable insights on developing effective fundraising plans. The soft skills I have acquired will improve my overall performance. Plus, I have connected with like-minded individuals who have become great friends.”
- Eugene Doherty-Hope Academic Centre Foundation, Program Director: “The training is incredibly relevant to our work. It has sharpened our skills and boosted our confidence. The facilitator’s teaching style was exceptional, making the content easy to grasp.”
- Alieu Jammeh-Bulock Kapongha Youth Development Association, Secretary General: “I gained a wealth of knowledge from this training, including communication techniques, collaboration, creativity, event planning, budgeting, and more. It’s truly life-changing.”
- Michelle Gomez-Hope Academic Centre Foundation, Chairperson: “This training completely changed my perspective on fundraising. I learned so much about who to involve and how to plan effectively. I am already putting my new knowledge to use.”
- Nyimasatou Sabally-Raise The Young Foundation: “I learned so much from this training! The template design session was especially fascinating, as I love design. This knowledge will be invaluable to my organization.”
These testimonials highlight the transformative impact of the training on participants and their organizations. We are confident that this investment in capacity building will yield significant results for the communities served by these CBOs.