Strategy for Mobilization and Sustainability of Resources Among Not-for- Profit Organizations in Kenya: a Case Study of the Bible Society of Kenya
Abstract
This study was conducted by carrying out in-depth interviews with Bible Society of
Kenya General Secretary and senior staff (respondents). The study intended to document
the Bible Society of Kenya's plans and activities in resource mobilization, the
sustainability of that resource mobilization and also establish the factors that led to the
Society's decision to mobilize resources locally.
Historically, not for profit organizations have relied on funds from the developed
countries, mainly Europe and United States of America. However changes in the
external environment, both within the country and globally caused a reduction in the
availability of resources. Given that most of those served by the not for profit
organizations have always viewed themselves as recipients of donor funds and not as
donors to organizations serving them, the researcher set out to document the resource
mobilization activities the Society carried out and to establish the factors that led to the
Society's decision to mobilize resources.
The study has established that the Society has a strategy for resource mobilization that
includes both generation of income from sale of scriptures-.as well as carrying out
fundraising activities in churches and among individuals. Income from scripture sales
has been done through concentration on those scripture products that can be sold at
slightly higher prices than cost. Fundraising has been done through holding fundraising
dinners as well as direct appeals for funds from supporters in churches and among
individuals.
The Society has also been able to embark on local resource mobilization without
contradicting its mission of making the widest, effective distribution of the scriptures
because it has served those unable to pay the higher prices through discounts and free
distribution. The Society's experience has shown that the Bible Societies slogan "at a
price that they can afford" needs continuous appraisal to determine reasonable prices for
bible societies products. The researcher came to a conclusion that the potential to
generate funds locally is there and even if not for profits might not have adequate local
resources for all their work, the potential is there for substantial local resources.
Citation
MBASponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
University of Nairobi School of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences