Accountability as a superpower in philanthropy

The events of November with the information about the work of the Helpkarma platform and the subsequent ideas of Bulgarian MPs to invest budget funds in an unknown association with similar functions, reawakened the conversation about the trust of donors in the role of NGOs as intermediaries between those who need support and those who are willing to support. There are serious concerns that what has happened will have a serious impact on current and future fundraising campaigns and causes.

All this comes against the backdrop of intensified fundraising campaigns since the spring of this year in response to the Kovid crisis. The contribution of civil society organizations in providing timely, flexible and human-oriented support was visible to the public. The funds raised were distributed quickly and transparently, and the organizations remained among the people, "on the ground" despite the risks.

In the midst of a second general closure, due to the pandemic, wewill talk with our colleagues from the Bulgarian Donors' Forum about the forces that working civil society organizations have to build sustainable trust in donors and good practices that help us gain the necessary support and multiply the effect of it for our beneficiaries.

In the conversation we will discuss the issues of:

# The overall image of the organization and its role in building trust

# Internal practices for good governance

# How we structure fundraising campaigns and the importance of regular and timely reporting of their spending

# Our role as intermediaries and crisis management trust

The conversation will include:

Krassimira Velichkova,Bulgarian Donors' Forum

Director of the Bulgarian Donor Forum, the largest association of donor organizations in the country, including nearly 50 foundations and corporate donors. She graduated in culturology at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski ”, with significant expertise and experience in developing the environment for donations in Bulgaria and donation practices. She has worked on strategies for organizational development and fundraising for social and cultural projects.

Teodora Ivanova-Valeva,Impact Drive

Her professional life has long been associated with project management and organizational development, as well as the design and management of grant schemes and programs. He works for a short time in public authorities and private management consulting, but finds passion and meaning in working in the non-governmental sector and people working for causes. He is very interested in how to be effective, influential and successful in their missions. The activity and support of the organizations is related to participation in projects, mentoring, assistance in creating fundraising and business plans, organizational, communication and management strategies, lectures, consulting and others.

In addition to co-founding and chairing the board of Impact Drive, Teodora is part of the Open Society Institute Foundation and CSR Bulgaria.