New Tools and Approaches for NGO Fundraising
KNK and the Global Albanian Foundation organized the workshop “New Tools and Approaches for NGO Fundraising,” bringing together several of Korça’s most active NGOs to present modern fundraising practices and innovative approaches.
On April 2, 2025, the Community Foundation “Korçarët Ndihmojmë Korçarët” (KNK) and the “Global Albanian Foundation” (GAF), in cooperation with NGOs operating in the Municipality of Korça, organized the workshop titled “New Tools and Approaches for NGO Fundraising.”
The event aimed to inform and empower local organizations — including Foundation “Emanuel,” “World Vision” Korça branch, MEET Center, “Lumturo Dhimbjen” Foundation, “Korça Alpin,” and “Qëndistaret” — by presenting advanced and emerging fundraising methods used globally.
In his presentation, “The Evolution of Fundraising Activities – Best International Practices,” KNK’s Executive Director Leonard Olli outlined several key global trends. He highlighted how NGOs worldwide are increasingly exploring digital tools, social media campaigns, email marketing, mobile applications, and websites to create more effective and personalized donor experiences.
Olli emphasized the importance of data analytics in audience segmentation, message personalization, and campaign targeting; the role of storytelling through blogs, videos, and live events; and the growing use of Crowdfunding platforms, Artificial Intelligence, Impact Investment Models, Social Enterprises, community engagement, and cross-organizational partnerships.
During the second presentation, “What is the Zeffy Platform – GAF’s Experience and Its Potential Use in Albania,”Mark Kosmo, Chair of the GAF Board, joined from Boston to share their experience using modern fundraising platforms. He underlined that Zeffy is completely free, simple to use, efficient, and offers significant savings compared to other platforms. Kosmo also recommended collaboration between two or three organizations on joint projects as an effective way to increase impact, transparency, and donor trust.
NGO representatives discussed not only these global approaches but also the challenges they face in the Albanian context. Concerns were raised about the regulatory environment, the heavy fiscal burden on social enterprises, and the lack of supportive structures that could enable NGOs to contribute more effectively to their communities.
Participants agreed on the importance of greater collaboration among NGOs and the development of joint projects. With the support of GAF & KNK, they expressed readiness to begin concrete training sessions to apply these new fundraising approaches.
KNK – Together We Are Stronger.