How to Support an NGO

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methods

1Raising Money for Your Chosen NGO

2Working for an NGO

3Spreading the Word

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Expert Q&A

Tips and Warnings

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References

NGOs, or nongovernmental organizations, are constantly in need of support, and lending a hand to these organizations is a wonderful way to express a passion or interest you feel in a cause. Trying to figure out how you can help can be tricky, but once you discover the best way to support the organization of your choice, you will be well on your way to a fulfilling and potentially life-changing experience supporting a cause you care about.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Raising Money for Your Chosen NGO

1. 
   1
   Donate to your favorite NGO(s). This is the most obvious way to support NGOs because they can never get enough funding for materials, resources, and services they need.

   • Some organizations offer items and prizes for donating certain amounts of money.
   • Most NGOs will have a donation page on their website where you donate online with the option to set up a recurring monthly donation.
   • You can also donate through the mail or in person if the organization provides an address.
2. 
   2
   Dedicate a special occasion to an NGO to encourage others to donate. Announce the cause to friends and family in person or announce it on a social media platform along with information about how to learn more and donate.

   • Nothing says you care like asking everyone to donate to a cause rather than give you gifts on a birthday or for a wedding.
   • Fundraisers can be started on numerous online websites for free if you want to keep track of how much your effort earns.
   • An example of an announcement to dedicate your special occasion may look like this: "I'm dedicating my birthday to Sue's Animal Rescue Team. If you were planning to get me anything, please donate to this organization instead." Then talk about the NGO and provide a link to the organization's donation page or a fundraising site set to donate to the organization.
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3. 
   3
   Set up a bake sale if you have lots of friends who like to bake! To do this, make sure you organize who is going to make what so you don't all make the same thing. Advertise on social media and with flyers to increase attendance.

   • People love bake sales because it is a great opportunity to socialize in a community.
   • Make sure to check your state’s health code as some states require everything to be individually wrapped.
   • Attach index cards to each item stating what it is and listing all non-obvious ingredients, such as coconut, peanuts, and fruit so people know what they are buying.
4. 
   4
   Invite others to pay $1/vote for a “torture” for you to make donating fun. “Tortures” could include dying you hair purple, dressing as a clown for a day, or allowing someone to crack eggs over your head. Announce the vote to friends and family similarly to an announcement dedicating a special occasion on social media or in person.

   • An announcement for this fundraiser might look like this: "To raise funds for Pandas International, which helps protect pandas, I will subject myself to one of three tortures, which are...." Include the "tortures" and a link to the NGO's donation page.
   • This kind of fundraiser could be held on a social media platform or on a shared fundraising platform.
   • Be sure to only volunteer yourself for this if you are willing to submit to any of the “tortures” you set up in your fundraiser.
5. 
   5
   Collect volunteers to do a car wash if the weather is nice. This is another common way that people set up fundraisers and is cheap and easy to do. All you need are some volunteers and a couple of hoses, sponges, a wash towel, a dry towel, and a squeegee. Designate who will handle sales, promotion, and washing cars.

   • Car washes generally run for 6-8 hours.
   • Be sure to set up on a highly trafficked road with good water access and have someone hold a big sign for your fundraiser.
   • On your signs and flyers, be sure to clearly state the reason for the fundraiser, where the funds will go, and exactly what price you are charging.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Working for an NGO

1. 
   1
   Volunteer your time and skills to the cause. Volunteering can take as much or as little time as you want and can be anything from manual labor to operating a phone or computer. You'll need to get in contact with the organization. Look for any contact information on the organization's website or go directly to their facility if you live nearby and know where they are to offer to volunteer.

   • If you live nearby or can offer help to your choice of NGO in some way, volunteering could be a great way to gain experience directly in the cause you’re passionate about.
   • Volunteering doesn’t have to be a big commitment to the NGO you are interested. Much of the time it’s as simple as doing clerical work, passing out flyers, and advertising the work of the organization on a social media platform.
2. 
   2
   Offer professional support to your chosen NGO if you have a profession. Whatever professional expertise you have, it’s likely that it could come in handy with an NGO. You don’t need a formal education to offer professional support to an NGO. If you offer any services, the managers of the NGO will likely be overjoyed.

   • For example, some NGOs want experienced carpenters to build structures such as with housing projects in underdeveloped countries.
   • Doctors are always wanted for health camps and blood drives.
   • Lawyers can offer pro-bono legal services as well.
   EXPERT TIP

   

   Archana Ramamoorthy, MS

   Chief Technology Officer, Workday

   Archana Ramamoorthy is the Chief Technology Officer, North America at Workday She is a product ninja, security advocate, and on a quest to enable more inclusion in the tech industry. Archana received her BS from SRM University and MS from Duke University and has been working in product management for over 8 years.

   

   Archana Ramamoorthy, MS
   Chief Technology Officer, Workday

   Not sure how your favorite NGO can use your help? Try asking if they need a volunteer liaison. Archana Ramamoorthy, Director of Technology Product Management at Workday, says: "A lot of times, there are a lot of people who want to help out, but they don't know how. Most NGOs need someone to coordinate between the organization and volunteers, letting people know exactly what needs to be done. A lot of NGOs don't do this well, but it would make it possible for a lot more people to actually volunteer."
3. 
   3
   Seek employment with an NGO if possible. Some NGOs are large enough to hire support full-time. Check NGO sites regularly for job opportunities if you're interested.

   • Not all NGOs have the resources to do this, so if you’re passionate about the focus of an NGO and they’re looking for someone in your field of work to hire on, consider this as an opportunity to be passionate about your job.
   • The NGO industry is competitive, but if you’re determined, there’s more than one route into an NGO job if you’re willing to take a pay-cut.
   • Make sure you know what you want to do in the field of your chosen NGO before applying.
   EXPERT TIP

   

   Carmela Resuma, MPP

   Non-Profit Executive Director

   Carmela is the Executive Director of FLYTE, a non-profit organization headquartered in Georgetown, Texas that empowers students living in underserved communities through transformative travel experiences. Carmela has a Masters in Public Policy Analysis from New York University and is passionate about youth empowerment, social impact, and traveling.

   

   Carmela Resuma, MPP
   Non-Profit Executive Director

   Carmela Resuma, the Executive Director of FLYTE, tells us: "It serves that part of me that feels that we’re all put on this earth to make a positive impact. In every profession, there is a space to do good. But, I feel that in a nonprofit space, it’s a more dedicated approach. That is what I just love, the mission and the heart are in such a good place."

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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Spreading the Word

1. 
   1
   Post activities and events on social media to reach the most people. This is the simplest way to offer support and helps the NGO by spreading awareness of the organization’s cause and need for support and participation. All you need is internet and a social media account.

   • Social media is the easiest and most effective way to reach younger people in this generation and it only requires a few clicks.
   • NGOs need all the publicity they can get, so your posts about them and sharing their links will be much appreciated because they push the organization into the public eye.
2. 
   2
   Share info about your chosen NGO in person to make it more personal. You won’t reach as many people this way, but you might make a bigger impact because it makes an impression and all you need to do for this is socialize.

   • Friends and family are great people to share your passion for a cause with.
   • Even acquaintances will take your message about an NGO more personally than if they only saw your message about it on social media, particularly if you focus on the mission of the institution and your involvement in it rather than on the institution only.
3. 
   3
   Share stories from the organization to excite others about the cause. If you have experience with an NGO you love, tell people about the meaningful stories you have been a part of there and encourage others to want to make a difference and be a part of that too.

   • If you don’t have any stories you feel like will excite people, ask the founders of the organization for any stories they may have. They are almost guaranteed to have a meaningful story that inspired them to start the organization you are supporting.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  How do I get volunteers for my NGO?

  

  Archana Ramamoorthy, MS
  Chief Technology Officer, Workday

  Archana Ramamoorthy is the Chief Technology Officer, North America at Workday She is a product ninja, security advocate, and on a quest to enable more inclusion in the tech industry. Archana received her BS from SRM University and MS from Duke University and has been working in product management for over 8 years.

  

  Archana Ramamoorthy, MS

  Chief Technology Officer, Workday

  Expert Answer

  A lot of times, there are a lot of people who want to help out, but they don't know how. Most NGOs need someone to coordinate between the organization and volunteers, letting people know exactly what needs to be done. A lot of NGOs don't do this well, but it would make it possible for a lot more people to actually volunteer.

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Tips

• You may need to construct a case for support to help people know why you’re fundraising and where and how the funds will be used.
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