8. Module 8.Financing opportunities

Project Number: 2023-2-PL01-KA220-YOU-000171409

MOBIUS MODULE 8

Financing opportunities (self-funded,sponsorship, guidelines for entrepreneurship, decision-making)

The Mobius project has been funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency (NA). Neitherthe European Union nor NA can be held responsible for them.

Agenda:

• Types of funding sources
• Grants from foundations,NGOs
• Business angels
• Innovation and Scalability
• Social investors
• Communication Strategies
• Strategic Thinking, Systems Thinking
• Impact Measurement, Storytelling
• Grant Writing, Financial Planning
• Preparing your proposal
• How to create a good presentation?
• How to present ideas in a clear and effective way?
• Self-Reflection
• Resources

To turn a social idea into reality, we need not only inspiration and energy, but also stable financial support. In this module, we will learn what types of financing exist – from grants and cause-based investments to crowdfunding. We will develop skills on how to prepare a strong proposal that convinces and inspires. And most importantly – we will see how to measure the real impact of our project.

What will you learn?

KNOWLEDGE

• Understand basic financial concepts.
• Learn how to allocate personal resources effectively.
• Assess potential risks involved in maintaining relationships.
• Understand what it takes to negotiate successfully. Learn to critically analyze data and information.

SKILLS

• Apply financial knowledge to make informed decisions.
• Create and develop realistic business plans.
• Practice allocating resources based on priorities and goals.
• Strengthen negotiation techniques through real-world application.
• Improve your ability to evaluate risks and manage them proactively.
• Use analytical thinking to process and evaluate complex information.

ATTITUDES

• Build flexibility and adaptability in new or uncertain situations.
• Develop a mindset focused on problem-solving and resourcefulness.
• Approach relationships and projects with strategic thinking and awareness.
• Stay open to learning and continuously improving your financial and socialdecision-making.

8.1 Types of fundingsources

There are various sources of funding – fromcountries, foundations, companies, investors and crowdfunding platforms. They help social and innovative projects to start and grow. In the following slides they will be shown and explained in detail.

8.1 Types of funding sources

• Government fundings: States and local governments provide grants and subsidies for public needs such as health, education and sustainability.

Examples: EU Social Innovation Programme, Social Innovation Fund.

• Foundations: Private foundations such as Ford, Rockefeller and Gates provide funding through donations and mentoring support. Local foundations work on the ground, and competitions such as MacArthur 100&Change and MIT Solve stimulate new solutions.

• Impact investors: Funds such as Acumen and Big Society Capital invest with a dual goal – social and financial return. Venture philanthropy and blended finance models combine support with capital.

• Corporate support (CSR and Corporate VC): Companies fund innovations related to their goals – through CSR programs, foundations or innovation labs.

Examples: Google.org, Salesforce.org, models with the inclusion of vulnerable groups.

8.1 Types of funding sources

• Crowdfunding and community financing: Online platforms such as GoFundMe, Kickstarter and Indiegogo allow donations or support in return for rewards. Models such as energy cooperatives allow local people to invest directly.

• Universities and research institutions: Universities such as Ashoka U and the Skoll Centre (Oxford) provide seed capital and incubation. They often work in partnership with public and private foundations.

• International organisations and development agencies: Organisations such as UNDP and the World Bank fund large projects with global impact. Agencies such as USAID (US), DFID (UK) and GIZ (Germany) support innovation in developing countries.

8.1 Types of funding sources

• Grants from foundations, NGOs, EU programs (Erasmus+, European Solidarity Corps)
• Business angels
• Self-financing
• Social investors
• National and local funds

You can read more about the financing here:

FUNDRAISING STRATEGY FOR BEGINNERS: HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN BUISNESS

8.1 Types of funding sources

You can explore the different options through this shortfunding activity

You have an idea for a social initiative: a mobile team supporting people at risk. You need funding for equipment and volunteer training.

8.2 CommunicationStrategies

To get funding, it’s important to not only have a goodidea, but also to present it strategically and clearly. Thisincludes a strong story, a clear impact plan, budget andpartners, as well as an understanding of the problem and the policies surrounding it. The ability to communicate your project properly is key. The following slides will explain these elements in more detail.

8.2 Communication Strategies

• Strategic Thinking – Align innovation with long-term systemic change; show theory of change, clear goals, and fit with wider social context (e.g. Strategic Fit, Social Entrepreneurship Theory).

• Problem Framing & Systems Thinking – Address root causes, system complexity, stakeholders, and unintended consequences (e.g. Problem Trees, Systems Maps, Wicked Problems).

8.2 Communication Strategies

• Impact Measurement & Evaluation – Use SMART indicators, baselines, and outcome metrics; plan data collection and learning loops (e.g. Theory of Change, Results-Based Management).

• Storytelling & Narrative Building – Humanize the issue with lived experience, real-life examples, and emotional framing; combine stories with data (e.g. Narrative Theory, Framing Theory).

8.2 Communication Strategies

• Grant Writing & Communication – Clear, concise, and funder-aligned writing; avoid jargon and follow logical proposal structure (e.g. Plain Language, Audience Design).

• Partnership Development – Build strategic collaborations; include letters of support, MoUs, and shared governance (e.g. Collaborative Advantage, Collective Impact Framework).

• Financial Planning & Budgeting – Present realistic, transparent budgets; show cost-effectiveness and sustainability (e.g. SROI, Resource Mobilization Theory.

8.2 Communication Strategies

• Policy & Sector Awareness – Align with policy priorities and global frameworks (e.g. SDGs, EU Green Deal, Policy Windows Theory).

• Innovation & Feasibility – Demonstrate what’s new, why it works, and how it will be tested or piloted (e.g. Diffusion of Innovation, Design Thinking).

• Resilience & Adaptability – Include agile methods, risk planning, and learning mechanisms (e.g. Adaptive Management, Resilience Theory).

8.2 Communication Strategies

Test your knowledge with these interactive communication exercises. Based on the information on each card, choose the most appropriate communication strategy for the project. Once you have chosen the right one, you will be able to see if you are on the right track.

What is the most important thing to communicate?

What should you emphasize?

What is important to communicate?

What should you emphasize?

What should you emphasize?

What should you emphasize?

What is important to communicate?

Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.

Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.

What is the most important thing to communicate?

Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.

What is important to communicate?

What is important to communicate?

What is the most important thing to communicate?

What is the most important thing to communicate?

Check out the cards and choose

Check out the cards and choose

Project C You want to collaborate with a local organization on a new social project.

Project B You are seeking funding to scale a project with potential social impact.

Project AYou are presenting a project to support young people facing difficulties.

Check out the cards and choose

2. What benefits the partner will gain

2.Potential financial return

1. How the project will help people

3. How much revenue it will generate?

3. A projection of returns

3. Personal stories

Title

1. A story about a specific person who will benefit

Title

1. Social impact

Title

2. A detailed financial plan

Write a brief description here

Write a brief description here

Write a brief description here

8.2 Communication Strategies

Find out if you have chosen correctly

Title

Title

Title

Use this side to give more information about a topic.

Use this side to give more information about a topic.

Use this side to give more information about a topic.

Project C

Project B

Project A

Subtitle

“Not quite. Show the concrete benefits for the partner or organization to attract support.”

Subtitle

“Not quite. Focus on the people who will benefit, not just the numbers.”

Subtitle

“Not quite. Show the concrete benefits for the partner or organization to attract support.”

“Not quite. Focus on the people who will benefit, not just the numbers.”

“Well done! Donors want to see the tangible social impact.”

“Excellent! Partners want clarity on collaboration and mutual benefits.”

"Good idea, but investors are mainly interested in numbers and a growth plan".

“Perfect! Investors want to know how they will get a return on their investment.”

If you have chosen strategy 1

If you have chosen strategy 2

If you have chosen strategy 3

If you have chosen strategy 1

If you have chosen strategy 2

If you have chosen strategy 2

If you have chosen strategy 3

"Good idea, but investors are mainly interested in numbers and a growth plan".

If you have chosen strategy 2

If you have chosen strategy 3

The best way to learn is through visualisationand listening. Soooo we have selected some videos for you to watch!

The Secret to Successfully Pitching an Idea | The Way We Work, a TED series - YouTube

The best way to learn is through visualisationand listening. Soooo we have selected some videos for you to watch!

The 7C's of Communication (With Examples) |From A Business Professor - YouTube

8.3 Preparing yourproposal

To present your idea successfully, it’s not just about what you propose – but how you shape it. The following pages you are gonna learn how to prepare a clear, convincing, and professional project proposal. You'll learn what funders expect – like goals, activities, team, budget, and sustainability and how to present each part effectively.

8.3 Preparing your proposal

• Executive Summary – Brief overview of the problem, your solution, target groups, key outcomes, and total budget. (Write it last, present it first – clear and compelling.)

• Problem Statement / Needs Assessment – Shows understanding of the issue using data, lived experiences, and gaps in existing responses. (Include both quantitative stats and qualitative insights.)

• Objectives and Expected Outcomes – SMART goals aligned with funder priorities; highlight both short-term outputs and long-term change. (Focus on outcomes, not just activities.

8.3 Preparing your proposal

• Innovative Solution / Approach – Describe your innovation (product, service, process, or system), how it tackles root causes, and what makes it better than current approaches.

• Тheory of Change / Impact Model – Logical pathway from activities to long-term impact: Inputs → Activities → Outputs → Outcomes → Impact. (Use diagrams or visual models where possible.)

• Target Groups and Stakeholder Engagement – Define direct and indirect beneficiaries and how they are involved (co-creation, feedback, governance). (Funders value inclusive and participatory design.

• Activities and Methodology – Outline key phases, timeline, and tools you’ll use. (Methods like design thinking or agile are often preferred for social innovation.)

8.3 Preparing your proposal

• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) – Indicators, baseline/target data, and feedback mechanisms to adapt and learn. (Show how you’ll improve, not just measure.)

• Team and Organizational Capacity – Present your team’s roles and relevant experience, governance, and partnerships. (Mention advisors, experts by experience, or cross-sector collaboration.)

• Risk Assessment and Mitigation – Identify major risks (operational, financial, political) and how you’ll address them. (Show you’re prepared, not naive.

8.3 Preparing your proposal

• Budget and Financial Plan – Transparent, itemized budget linked to activities and outcomes. (Include co-funding or in-kind contributions if relevant.)

• Sustainability and Scaling Strategy – Explain how your work continues after funding ends, and potential for scale or replication. (Demonstrate long-term value creation.)

• Appendices and Supporting Documents – May include support letters, diagrams, legal status, pilot results, or testimonials. (Only add what's relevant and strengthens credibility.)

What do you need for a strong project proposal?

• Executive Summary: A concise overview of your project and its impact.

• Needs Assessment: Data and research supporting the need for your project.

• Project Description: Detailed explanation of what you plan to do, including timelines and methodologies.

• Budget Justification: Clear breakdown of how funds will be used.

How to create a good presentation?

When presenting your project to potential funding organizations, clarity and enthusiasm are key.

• Title: Start with an interesting story or statistic that highlights the urgency of your project.

• Short and clear: Explain clearly how your project meets the identified need.

• Call to action: Conclude with a strong request for financial support, stating the amount needed and what it will achieve.

How to present ideas in a clear and effective way?

Verbal communication or techniques for clear communication:

• Use simple language, avoid jargon, and structure information logically.

• Tell stories—engage your audience emotionally while presenting data based on insights.

• Learn to listen actively—effective communication is a two-way process.

How to present ideas in a clear and effective way?

Nonverbal communication – This is form of communication through various signals:

• Eye contact, because demonstrates attention and respect, and facilitates emotional connection.

• Facial expressions

• Body language

• Touch

Core elements of a Fundraising strategy

source: Canva.com

Self-Reflection

Take a moment for some self-reflection and try out this refreshing quiz.

Self-Reflection

Take a moment for some self-reflection and try out this refreshing quiz.

Resources Page

Triodos Investment Management. (n.d.). Impact investing: Investing .RetrievedJuly 29, 2025, https://www.triodos-im.com/

European Commission & European Investment Bank. (2019). Crowdfunding and ESF opportunities:future perspectives for managing authorities. Retrieved July 29, 2025,https://www.fi-compass.eu/sites/default/files/publications/Crowdfunding%20and%20ESF%20opportunities%20future%20perspectives%20for%20managing%20authorities_0.pdf

Funds for NGOs. (n.d.). Best tools to track grant application deadlines. https://www.fundsforngos.org/all-questions-answered/what-are-the-best-tools-to-track-grant-application-deadlines/

10 Ways to Pitch an Idea [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0hVIH3EnlQ

SkillsYouNeed. (n.d.). Negotiation Skills [Video]. https://youtu.be/BLBRRNwMZNE

It’s time to test your knowledge from the module! Take this quiz!