Editorial - Endowment building

For the average NGO in the South that is invariably subjected to all manner of tests and forced to engage in a diverse range of relationships in order to survive, one of the most terrifying questions they get asked is, ‘What are you doing about your financial sustainability?’

For a start, the question is a constant reminder of one’s vulnerability. As soon as it is asked, the sustainability question often overshadows whatever past achievements an organization might be able to claim. As an NGO practitioner, I have often wondered if the donor that poses this question is not looking for an easy exit from our relationship. I then start wondering if there is something that this person knows about us that I am not aware of.

It is usually at this point that the power inequalities that define our relationship become most visible. The donor has the luxury of being able to examine the larger picture and make choices regarding where their investment will achieve the greatest impact. The grantee, on the other hand, must worry about keeping going before applying their mind to the seemingly ‘esoteric’ questions of development activity – which, incidentally, is their real passion!

I would like to suggest that there is much to be gained from reducing the vulnerability of southern NGOs where basic existence is concerned. If, for example, I knew that my core costs were covered for any length of time, surely I would devote the time that is saved on worrying about our basic survival to being even more creative about our contributions to the development enterprise. I firmly believe that some kind of endowment to cover this basic area of need for organizations that have demonstrated their viability would accord them a measure of security – and the confidence that would undoubtedly get the creative juices really flowing!

Ezra Mbogori
Executive Director, MWENGO, Zimbabwe