It's #March and one of the earliest pieces of advice I got after founding Prajnya was to a #fundraising drive in this month. Like most advice, it was well-meant but incorrect.

NGOs in India, especially those that have 80G exemption, are supposed to spend 85% of what they receive in a year, within the year. Failing that, we could lose non-profit status. So the Board has to resolve to spend the money within the year.

So there we are, most of us small and under-staffed, planning for March in advance, worrying about money, when donors, thinking about tax savings, start writing cheques. Now we worry differently.

How will we spend this money by March 31? Even with a carryover resolution, how much is it reasonable to carry over? What if having to do this, year after year, causes us problems?

On the other hand, if you were to plan your finances ahead of time, especially on a salaried income--planning on both giving and tax savings--and send us that cheque or transfer on April 1, we would receive with gratitude AND relief.

Relief that we have money to plan and work with.
Relief that we don't have to scramble and spend.
Relief that our 80G status stays okay.
And much gratitude.

If it is an unexpected bonus you want to share, we are grateful, of course, and we will take it. But we want you to know that April is a better month for NGOs to receive.

Other planned giving that works:
1. A scheduled monthly donation towards operational costs and overheads (however small);
2. Underwriting a recurring cost;
3. At Prajnya, committing to be a Vasundhara donor (salary support, one lakh a year for three years).

And have you seen this?
bit.ly/2rrnOQq
Four fun fundraising ideas that help you help us. We have a fundraising jar available for sale in the office. You can collect through the year and give us the money on April 1, giving us a rich start to the FY!

But above all, thank you for the thought, and the intention to give. No matter to whom you make the gift, all of us benefit. Thank you!

PS: We are not asking now, but in April, we will be fundraising for the 2018 Prajnya 16 Days Campaign against Gender Violence. #headsup

Thank you to everyone who has retweeted this thread on #fundraising and #donating in #March.
Do not let it deter you if this is the only time you can give. My notes are meant for those who could just as easily plan their giving for April. Grateful, anyway!