FUNDRAISING CONSULTANCY

Terms of Reference - Fundraising Consultancy

Background

Since 2010, Spark has built the civic and economic power of rural communities facing poverty in East Africa and West Africa. Spark's innovative Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP) strengthens citizen engagement and improves rural livelihoods to drive sustainable development. Through the FCAP, Spark Microgrants puts communities at the center of development, supporting them to find solutions to challenges and increasing their control over the process. Facilitated village town-hall style weekly meetings are combined with a seed grant that enables citizens to launch a development project, practice self-organizing, and empower them to make decisions about how to use resources for community benefit.

In Uganda, Spark Microgrants has been working in partnership with Bulambuli district since 2021 to achieve an empowered and self-sustaining community of Bulambuli district using the FCAP model. To date, we have worked with a total of 170 communities, out of which 108 completed the process and graduated, leaving us with 62 active communities. We are now seeking to expand our impact and ensure the long-term sustainability of our operations in Uganda through a comprehensive resource mobilization strategy.

To effectively implement Spark Microgrants' Uganda Strategic Plan and secure the long-term sustainability of its operations in Uganda, Spark Microgrants seeks the services of a qualified consultant to develop a comprehensive, Uganda-specific Resource Mobilization Strategy. The strategy should reflect the current donor and funding environment in Uganda, including the evolving priorities of development and humanitarian partners, shifts in funding availability, and the increasing emphasis on value-for-money, localization, and measurable results. The consultant will work to ensure that Spark Microgrants can diversify its funding base and secure new, reliable sources of support for its community-driven programs.

Objective

The objective of this consultancy is to develop a robust fundraising strategy and establish a clear overview of current and potential funding opportunities for Spark Microgrants in Uganda. The strategy will serve as a roadmap for diversifying income streams, strengthening donor relationships, and achieving financial resilience for our Uganda operations.

Specific Tasks

• Consult and work closely with the Uganda Country Director to understand the organization's vision, mission, and areas of priority at the moment, ensuring full alignment with strategic goals.
• Conduct a structured review of Spark's model to identify, assess, and prioritize funding opportunities that are well aligned with donor priorities, thematic interests, and funding criteria, producing actionable recommendations to inform targeted fundraising and partnership strategies.
• Identify and map potential donors and strategic partners in country, in line with the agreed Uganda strategy, including bilateral and multilateral agencies, foundations, private sector actors, and other civil society organizations.
• Facilitate introductions and, where possible, participate in meetings between Spark leadership and priority donors and other key stakeholders to build relationships and advance funding discussions.
• Develop evidence briefs, proposals, and presentations aimed at generating or responding to interest from in-country donors, tailored to specific funding opportunities and donor requirements.
• Analyze the competitive landscape and identify Spark's unique value proposition to differentiate its programs and attract investment from a diverse range of funders.

Deliverables

• An updated donor landscape mapping report, in line with strategic goals, including contact details, funding interests, and relevant context to support effective introduction and engagement planning.
• Briefing materials, proposals, and presentations designed to generate interest and secure support from in-country donor representatives, customized for each priority donor.
• A clear and practical fundraising strategy that identifies potential funding sources, outlines realistic fundraising approaches, and provides an actionable plan to mobilize resources to support the organization's goals over the next three to five years.
• At least one funding brief or proposal submitted to a priority donor, demonstrating the consultant's ability to translate the strategy into concrete funding applications.
• A final report summarizing the consultancy process, findings, recommendations, and any lessons learned for future fundraising efforts.

Required Education, Experience, and Competencies

• Advanced degree in Social Sciences, Marketing, Development, Planning, Business Administration, Communication, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in the development sector, preferably on Community Driven Development, community mobilization and development, with proven experience and success in developing business models and mobilizing funds for civil society and international non-governmental organizations. Knowledge and experience in community-led monitoring, humanitarian emergencies, global advocacy, community research, strengthening community systems, building community capacities, and strategic partnerships are highly valued.
• Proven track record of generating significant funding from a variety of sources, including institutional donors, foundations, and corporations.
• Experience and expertise in developing and maintaining good relationships with institutional donors or corporations, with a demonstrated ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships.
• Experience of working in multicultural contexts, particularly in East Africa, with sensitivity to local dynamics and cultural nuances.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and planning skills, with the ability to work under tight deadlines and deliver high-quality outputs.
• Proficiency in English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills for preparing proposals and presentations.

Application Process

• A technical proposal (3 pages maximum) including: understanding of the Terms of Reference, an outline of the methodological approach for the assignment, a proposed monthly activity schedule, and specific hours required for each phase of work.
• A budget specifying the daily rate of the consultant and the total number of days proposed for the consultant. All related costs such as professional fees, communication, and reporting costs among others should be factored into the budget.
• Submit a cover letter with an expression of interest, highlighting relevant experience and motivation for this consultancy.
• A curriculum vitae showing past and current experience relevant to the consultancy, including details of similar assignments completed.
• Three references or reference letters from previous clients or employers who can attest to the consultant's capabilities and performance.