NGO Annual Reports - tips for making it a powerful tool for NGOs and donors!

Do Indian NGOs need to make Annual Reports?

Trusts and Societies are not required by law to produce Annual Reports. Section 25 Companies are required to publish Annual Reports. However, organizations that desire to practise norms of transparency and accountability should make their Annual Report for the corresponding financial year within eight months of the end of the financial year. The Annual report should be widely disseminated to stake holders and be available in the public domain. 

What should be included in an Annual Report? Are there any standard formats available?

The Annual Report should clearly describe what the organization is trying to accomplish (vision), what are its strategies for making it happen (mission), what are the organization's capabilities for achieving its mission, state its objectives and how it measures its progress, what the organization accomplished during the year and so far, and most importantly what it did not accomplish and why. It is essential that the organization also provide summarized financial statements for the year (Balance Sheet, Income & Expenditure Statement and Receipts & Payments Account). It is advised to present a summary even if the organization is attaching the entire audited accounts.The organization should also provide its key registration details, contact details, as well as information about is bankers and auditors. The Credibility Alliance has provided norms for disclosures in the Annual Report. Organisations should include all such information as well.

GuideStar India has created a template for Transparency & Accountability Disclosures. It is a 2 page format in MS Excel that can be freely downloaded and filled. This template covers all the essential information that should be contained in the Annual Report. It also makes your information comparable and donor friendly. 

The template can be downloaded from:

http://www.guidestarindia.org/SiteImages/GSI template for Transparency and Accountability Disclosures.xls or write to info@guidestarindia.org for receiving it by email.

How could we use the Annual Report as a tool of transparency and accountability?

If you provide all the information and disclosures as stated above, your Annual Report could become a powerful tool for establishing your credibility and support your fundraising efforts. While the number of copies your produce and the quality of paper you use would be decided by your budget, you can use your electronic version for wide dissemination. Make sure that your file size is optimized for emails and downloads. Ideally keep it to less than 2MB. You could provide options to the user to download a rich version and light version. Upload the Annual Report on your website, include a link in your email signature, upload it on your public profile on  www.guidestarindia.org, the NGO information repository accessed by more than 20,000 visitors every month.

You could also get your Annual Report certified by GuideStar India and apply for a Transparency Badge or Seal of Public Accountability at a nominal cost (Annual Report disclosures is one of several other criteria to qualify).

For more questions, write to info@guidestarindia.org

GuideStar India is India’s leading provider of NGO information. Its portal www.guidestarindia.org is India's largest, fully searchable database of reliable and comparable information on over 4000 NGOs. Its powerful search allows users to find and connect with verified NGOs within minutes. 

With a systematically organized repository of NGO information and a range of NGO outreach & due diligence solutions, GuideStar India enables individuals, corporate, government and other institutions to effectively access, engage with and support NGOs. GuideStar India pursues and promotes real time data-sharing and interoperability of portals featuring NGO information. Corporates, Philanthropists and other institutions use GuideStar India for NGO Datasets, NGOSearch & Match, NGO Outreach, NGO Due Diligence and NGO Partnerships. 

GuideStar India educates and equips NGOs to embrace best practices on transparency and public accountability for greater social impact. GuideStar India awards its Transparency Badge and Seal of Public Accountability to NGOs that meet the highest standards of transparency and public disclosure.

Registration on GuideStar India is free for NGOs. Visit: http://guidestarindia.org/Register.aspx 

Silicon Valley Community Foundation and GuideStar India collaborate to benefit Indian NGOs

The partnership will showcase Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s extensive network of nonprofit partners in India on GuideStar India and IndiaGivingNetwork, a unique coalition supported by the U.S. Department of State

Pushpa Aman Singh, Founder & CEO, GuideStar India with Emmett D. Carson, CEO and President of the Silicon Valley Community foundation

We are happy to share SVCF's press release announcing our partnership.

Press Release - May 16, 2013

Silicon Valley Community Foundation and GuideStar India Announce Collaboration

MOUNTAIN VIEW - Silicon Valley Community Foundation and GuideStar India have formed a collaboration to help individuals interested in giving to India find a way to leverage their resources more effectively and efficiently.

The partnership will showcase Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s extensive network of nonprofit partners in India. As the comprehensive center of philanthropy, Silicon Valley Community Foundation gave grants to 29 countries last year. India ranked as the fourth highest grantee country in terms of dollars granted out internationally in 2012. Additionally, Silicon Valley Community Foundation completed a special report to better understand, celebrate and share trends on philanthropy in the Indian American community of Silicon Valley, On the Shoulders of Generations.

Partnering with GuideStar India through the India Giving Network portal will offer individuals a transparent gateway to giving in India. The portal offers individuals access to a wide array of credible nonprofit organizations. Furthermore, this will offer potential donors various ways to support a broad network of nonprofit organizations focused on various causes in India.

Through this collaboration with GuideStar India, Silicon Valley Community Foundation joins a unique coalition of leading nonprofit organizations that is supported by the U.S. State Department.

“International giving can be complex. Using this platform,  philanthropists can have meaningful impact on the issues that they care most about by working with India-based nonprofit organizations that are both reliable and efficient,” said Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D., CEO and president of the community foundation. “Cultural philanthropy is an important part of the work we do, and this partnership helps further our ongoing commitment to fostering social impact in India.”

“India has a vibrant NGO sector with thousands of organizations tackling serious challenges across the country. India Giving Network organizes information to make giving to India easy and efficient,” said Pushpa Aman Singh, Founder and CEO, GuideStar India. “We are delighted that Silicon Valley Community Foundation has joined our network. This is a significant step towards connecting American philanthropists with Indian NGOs. Our collaboration will positively impact Indian NGOs and the communities they serve.”

“We applaud Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s decision to partner with GuideStar India and join the India Giving Network philanthropy portal.  Our goal in supporting the India Giving Network is to catalyze greater and more direct linkages between individuals and organizations focused on philanthropy in India.  Having a prominent institution like Silicon Valley Community Foundation on board will help achieve this goal, and, in the process, promote innovative development strategies that are of mutual benefit to the United States and India,” said Robert O. Blake, Jr., Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

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About Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Silicon Valley Community Foundation makes all forms of philanthropy more powerful. We serve as a catalyst and leader for innovative solutions to our region’s most challenging problems. The community foundation has $2.9 billion in assets under management and more than 1,650 philanthropic funds. As Silicon Valley’s center of philanthropy, we provide individuals, families and corporations with simple and effective ways to give locally and around the world. Find out more at  www.siliconvalleycf.org.

About GuideStar India
GuideStar India is India’s leading provider of NGO information. Its portal www.GuidestarIndia.org is India's largest, fully searchable database of reliable and comparable information on over 3,500 NGOs. With another 70,000+ NGOs on its offline database and NGO due diligence solutions, GuideStar India has brought down the cost and time of connecting with NGOs. GuideStar India is transforming how Indian NGOs report and share information, and, is changing the way the people perceive, interact and engage with NGOs. GuideStar India leads and manages IndiaGivingNetwork.

GuideStar India is an initiative of Civil Society Information Services India, an Indian trust, in collaboration with GuideStar International and TechSoup Global.
http://www.guidestarindia.org

NGOs: Reward your team with an online Mini MBA program during this Joy of Giving Week

Upgrade your team’s skills! Gift them myBskool.com’s FREE Mini MBA (FTGMP) Program during the Joy of Giving Week...

You can enroll any number of participants from your NGO on a first come first served basis. No age limit and no minimum prior qualification.

Several activities in the voluntary sector are getting increasingly complex as organisations try to raise resources from individuals, attempt to use technology to drive performance and stay connected with varied stakeholder groups.  While some NGOs have started hiring MBAs for various functions, most would prefer to train and upgrade skills of existing staff. Isn’t it tough to get funds for training and capacity building? How about a free program?

GuideStar India is delighted to share with you, the gift of an online Mini MBA program from myBskool.com!

The Mini MBA (FTGMP) – Leading to Fast Track General Management Program (FTGMP)

To achieve significant organisational impact, individuals must see beyond their own functional areas and understand how the organisation operates as a whole. This interactive online FTGM program would expose participants to the key management levers that drive the success of an organisation.       

myBskool.com has offered its premier online Mini MBA Program (FTGMP), entirely FREE of cost to NGOs registered with GuideStar India, to celebrate the Joy of Giving Week.

myBskool, an online management education wing of ThinkBig Edu, has close to 4000 students in the pipeline to be trained on latest management tools, concepts, and techniques. myBskool’s learning content and social learning platform is used by leading management institutes such as IIM-Ranchi, Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), IMT-Ghaziabad, Great Lakes Institute of Management, Smart MBA Online and more.

What is the special offer for NGOs

a.     The advanced Diploma in management is free for NGOs that enroll between September 15 & October 14, 2012.
Otherwise the cost of this programme is Rs 7999 per person.

b.    This is a 180 days (6-months) course to be taken online at your convenience.

c.     There is no age limit. Anyone with a desire and commitment to learn can join.

Only those who complete the Mini MBA Program (FTGMP) will be eligible for a professional Diploma in Management from myBskool.com

Subjects Covered:
Economics for Managers	Principles of Marketing
Statistical Tools for Decision Making	Managing Finance
Fundamentals of Accounting	Business Strategy
Managing Human Resource	Project Management

Who should enroll

The Mini MBA Program (FTGMP) from myBskool.com is designed for people in both large and small organizations who wish to improve their general management skills, gain comprehensive understanding of core management strategies and techniques, enhance leadership skills, and fast-track their career potential.

The programme is perfect for managers and aspiring managers who have only had exposure to one functional area and plan to move into General Management and team/project responsibilities. The programme also represents a low-risk overview for those considering an MBA, but want a “test drive” before making the full cost and time commitment.

The programme is delivered in English. It contains rich video sessions conducted by eminent faculty.  There is no age limit and no minimum prior qualification.

How to enroll for the programme

Each participant needs to fill an online registration form between September 15 and October 14, 2012. The registration is on first come first served basis. Each NGO can nominate as many participants as you like. Every participant has to complete registration before October 14, 2002.  Only those who complete the Mini MBA program (FTGMP) will be eligible for a professional Diploma in Management from myBskool.com. How will you know the status of your registration for the programme You will receive an email from myBskool.com confirming your registration for the programme and with your login details. This mail should reach you within 24 hours of your registration.

Feel free to share this message with other NGOs in your network. 

Register TODAY at http://www.mybskool.com/joyofgivingweek/

New portal to promote US Giving to Indian NGOs

GuideStar India and the U.S. Department of State held a “Philanthropy in India Roundtable” on December 21 in Mumbai. Over 40 leaders from the Indian philanthropy sector discussed the creation of a new online portal that will assist private donors seeking to support Indian NGOs.

Mitul Desai, U.S. State Department Senior Advisor 

to South and Central Asia Assistant Secretary Robert O. Blake, 

Opening the Philanthropy in India Roundtable on December 21, 2011

GuideStar India is an existing portal of fully searchable information on over 1400 registered NGOs in India, and will serve as the platform for the new portal which is designed to connect private U.S. donors with Indian NGOs and organizations. The group agreed that such a portal should also help address two critical needs:
(1) empowering and educating donors by introducing more information and transparency into the sector; and (2) strengthening capacity-building amongst Indian NGOs.

Consul General Peter Haas and others listening to 

GuideStar India CEO, Pushpa Aman Singh speaking at the Roundtable

The new portal will aggregate NGO certifications provided by independent third parties and present the information in a format easily searchable and accessible by potential donors. Neither GuideStar nor the U.S. Government will rate or certify NGOs. The portal will empower donors and allow them to make better informed decisions. Indian NGOs, intermediaries, facilitators, foundations and other organizations and individuals involved in philanthropy in India will benefit through enhanced visibility.


The roundtable participants provided input on the design of the portal to GuideStar representatives. The diverse group of leaders gathered at the roundtable reflected the shared desire of the private sector, civil society and the U.S. State Department to explore new and creative ways to support Indian NGOs.

NGO India 2012 - event to connect with 5000+ visitors

Register for the workshop in Mumbai (Dec 15)/ Delhi (Dec 19)/ Chennai (Jan10).

NGO India 2012 (www.india-ngo.org)  is a not-for-profit large scale exhibition and conference designed to bring together NGOs in India to share learning and best practices and engage with key stakeholders including local and international corporates, foundations, government and the general public. NGO India 2012, is being organised by UBM India, a global business media company that does over 50 exhibitions and conferences every year in India.

NGO India 2012 aims to:

• Raise awareness of NGOs and their work
• Create opportunities to showcase the good work of NGOs among the public, to facilitate volunteering, fundraising and other positive action
• Facilitate NGOs of different sizes serving varied communities to network with each other
• Connect NGOs with experts in good governance, PR & communications and fundraising
• Provide a platform that will allow NGOs to engage with government and corporate stakeholders

Why you should exhibit at NGO India 2012

Exhibiting at NGO India is FREE to all NGOs & Foundations that meet UBM India’s eligibility criteria which will be verified by GuideStar India. At this 3 day event, 150-200 NGOs would be showcasing their work to over 4000 visitors from corporates, grant makers & NGOs and 5000 visitors from the general public. There would be conferences on good governance, fundraising, PR & communications free of cost for NGOs to connect with experts in these areas.

Why you should register for the workshop

UBM India and GuideStar India are organising workshops for NGOs and Foundations across India. The workshops will be done in a mix of English, Hindi and Tamil (in Chennai).

The workshop will provide detailed information about the 3 day event NGO India 2012 to be held in Gurgaon from March 16-18, 2012. Registration is FREE.

Representatives from UBM India’s Operations & Marketing teams would conduct sessions on how to build up your stall and what kind of promotion & branding can be done within the stall so as to showcase your activities in the best possible manner. They will screen videos of similar events conducted by UBM for the NGO community in the UK & Brazil.

GuideStar India will explain the due diligence criteria and process for NGOs to qualify for participation in NGO India 2012.

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Where	When	Venue
Mumbai	Thursday, Dec 15, 2011	Hotel Kohinoor Corner, Kohinoor Hall 3rd floor, Opp. Siddhivinayak Mandir, Veer Savarkar Marg, Prabhadevi, Mumbai - 400 025. Tel: 022-24226743 / 24372441 / 24361282
Delhi	Monday, Dec 19, 2011	India International Centre, Annexe Building (please note that this is not the main IIC building), Next to World Bank Lecture Hall II, 40, Lodi Road, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi – 110 003 Phone : 011-24619431
Chennai	Tuesday, Jan 10, 2012	Will be declared in due course

Who should register for the workshop

Heads of Organisations, Heads of Fundraising/ Programmes/ Communications from NGOs & Foundations. A maximum of ONLY two participants per organisation

How to register for the Workshop

To register for the workshop, please fill the form at http://guidestarindia.org/NGOIndia2012.aspx   If you face any difficulty, please call Sangeeta at GuideStar India on 022-26856900/99.

How will you know if your Participation is Confirmed

You will receive a mail from GuideStar India within 2 days of receiving your registration form. If you do not receive a mail, please feel free to call Mercina at GuideStar India to verify your confirmation status. Confirmation is on first come first served basis. If you have any questions regarding participation, please write to info@guidestarindia.org.

If you would like to know more about NGO India 2012, please visit www.india-ngo.org or contact Harsha Advani on 022-66122630.

Please register for the workshop at http://guidestarindia.org/NGOIndia2012.aspx and await email confirmation of your registration.

 
If you would like to hear of more such opportunities, please complete your free registration with GuideStar India at http://www.guidestarindia.org/Registerorg.aspx.