Donors - Overview

Aim

To have enough funding so you can carry out your programme.

Key questions before leaving head office

We have assumed that the funding for your programme will come from one or more donors. It may also come from your organisation's own funds but you will still have to ask yourself:

• How much money can you spend immediately?
• Which donors are funding the programme?
• Which donors may fund the programme?
• Who is responsible for finding extra funding?
• Are there any restrictions or conditions on any of the funds you either already have or expect to receive?
• What are the narrative and financial reporting requirements?
• Who will report back to and negotiate any programme or budget changes with donors?
• Who will ensure that the funding matches programme expenditure?

Special challenges

Beware of the following problems which may arise:

• Promised funding arrives late or not at all.
• Donor reports are so late that donors delay further funding.
• Donor financial reports are difficult to write because your systems can not analyse expenditure in the format required by the donor.
• Budget lines are overspent without the permission of the donors.
• Budget lines are underspent.
• Your team's actual response to the emergency differs from the agreements negotiated with donors at head office. In extreme cases, donors may ask for funding to be returned.