Strong Governance Can Make or Break Your NGO Funding
By Julius Gamy
NGOs, let’s be honest. You’re doing incredible work – building schools, constructing water points and latrines for communities in need, running youth or women empowerment programmes, etc.
But many NGOs miss funding opportunities because donors don’t trust their leadership structures.
What donors check:
- Functional board – decisions should be made by a Board with oversight authority.
- Clear leadership and roles – who approves projects? Who signs checks? Who manages staff?
- Separation of management and oversight – management should not self-approve funds.
I remember a WASH NGO in Bong County, Liberia applied for a $50k grant to build school latrines. They included Board meeting minutes approving borehole projects and budgets, in addition to other requirements. Donors funded them immediately.
A peer NGO had a strong proposal but no governance structure, and its funding was rejected.
Practical tips:
- Document all Board meetings.
- Define staff and Board roles clearly.
- Ensure checks and approvals are separate.
Governance builds credibility; passion alone isn’t enough.
(Julius Gamy is a Liberian NGO fundraising strategist and proposal development specialist)
