Lessons learned from the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI): Insights for Civil Society Organizations

What do we do?

Centre NGO works to maximize the impact of organizations in communities worldwide, with a focus on data, capacity development, and advocacy. Our mission is to transform lives through sustainable change. Here is an overview of what we do:

NGOs/Nonprofit: we work tirelessly to provide resources that assist nonprofits in their initiatives and help them reach a wider audience. This includes offering valuable information, tools, and educational materials related to philanthropy and Haiti and beyond.
Platform for Donors: we operate a trusted platform where individual donors can confidently invest in initiatives that make a difference in their communities. By connecting donors with impactful projects, we facilitate positive change at a grassroots level.
Grant-Maker Support: we offer a streamlined approach for grant-makers to identify impactful initiatives and connect with local partners in Haiti and the diaspora. This efficient process helps grant-makers maximize their support for regional social and economic development.
Agency Collaboration: we serve as a centralized hub where governments can search for and collaborate with organizations that address various social, economic, and humanitarian issues. This collaboration aims to address critical challenges and foster sustainable development.
Cultural Sensitivity: we emphasize the cultural aspect of our work, recognizing the importance of understanding and integrating local cultures, traditions, and contexts into our initiatives. Doing so ensures that their efforts are respectful, inclusive, and impactful.

Overall, our goal is to make a positive difference in Haitian communities globally by providing resources, connecting donors with initiatives, supporting grant-makers, facilitating agency collaboration, and prioritizing cultural sensitivity in our work.

What we don’t do?

We do not give grants! This would be an amazing initiative that our team wishes to work on in the future, but at this time, we do not offer grants. We provide resources on the latest grant opportunities you could apply for on behalf of your organization.
If you’re looking to register an educational institution in Haiti, we regret to inform you that we are not a government institution, and you should reach out to the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (Ministère de l’Éducation Nationale et de la Formation Professionnelle) in Haiti.
We do not back any political parties or individuals of any kind.
We do not sponsor individuals.
We do not support religious groups.
We do not assist with immigration-related needs.

Why do we use different terminologies?

In the philanthropic sector, various terms are used to refer to organizations and entities working towards social good and community development. While these terms may differ, they essentially represent the same industry. Here’s a definition of these different expressions:

Non-Profit and Nonprofit: The terms “non-profit” and “nonprofit” describe organizations that operate for a social or public benefit purpose, rather than for generating profits. These terms emphasize that the primary objective of these organizations is to serve a specific cause or community rather than pursuing financial gain.

ONG (Organisation Non Governmental): ONG is the acronym for “Organización No Gubernamental,” which translates to “Non-Governmental Organization” in English. ONG is commonly used in Spanish/French-speaking regions to refer to non-profit organizations that work independently from government entities.

NGO (Non-Governmental Organization): NGO stands for “Non-Governmental Organization. “This term is widely recognized globally and encompasses a wide range of organizations that operate independently of government control. NGOs can be non-profit, charitable, or advocacy-focused organizations that address various social, environmental, and humanitarian issues.

CSOs (Civil Society Organizations) and CBOs (Community-Based Organizations): CSOs and CBOs are inclusive terms that encompass a broad range of non-profit organizations operating at the grassroots level. CSOs refer to organizations that operate within civil society and address social issues, often through advocacy and community engagement. CBOs specifically emphasize organizations that are rooted in local communities and work towards community development and empowerment.

NPO (Non-Profit Organization) and INGO (International Non-Governmental Organization): NPO refers to “Non-Profit Organization” and is a general term used to describe organizations that are driven by a social mission.

INGO stands for “International Non-Governmental Organization” and denotes non-profit organizations that operate at an international level, working across borders to address global challenges.

While these terms may vary, they all refer to organizations dedicated to making a positive impact on society. Regardless of the terminology used, the focus remains on driving social change, promoting philanthropy, and addressing the diverse needs of communities worldwide.

Where is Centre NGO located?

We are a remote organization. Our team members are located from different parts of the world.

What are the prerequisites to Centre NGO’s “Global Connect for Change Program”?

Because Centre NGO is not a distance-learning, credit-bearing, or degree-granting initiative, there are no prerequisites.

Can I get a certificate after completing these courses?

No. In short, it is not a degree-granting or credit-bearing initiative. But our hope is to partner with an accredited institution in the near future.

What makes Centre NGO Different?

At Centre NGO, we recognize the difficulties encountered by nonprofit organizations and the significance of providing valuable resources to support their initiatives and expand their reach. Our organization is committed to working assiduously in support of your efforts.

Our platform, which functions as a trusted space for individual donors, is one way we stand out. We provide benefactors with a safe environment in which they can confidently invest in community-changing initiatives. By connecting donors with impactful initiatives, we facilitate grassroots change for the better.

In addition, we offer grant-makers a simplified process. Our platform enables grant-makers that focus on Haiti to quickly identify effective initiatives and interact with local partners. This expedient procedure enables them to maximize their support for social and economic development in the region, resulting in more effective and sustainable results.

Moreover, Centre NGO serves as a centralized hub where agencies can search for and collaborate with organizations dedicated to addressing various social, economic, and humanitarian issues. We facilitate collaborations between agencies and non-governmental organizations, nurturing partnerships that can drive widespread positive change.

What truly sets us apart is the cultural aspect of our work. We recognize that addressing social issues requires a comprehensive comprehension of local cultures, traditions, and contexts. We ensure that our initiatives are respectful, inclusive, and impactful by incorporating cultural sensitivity into our approach.

Will “my” NGO get grants after signing up for Centre NGO’s Premium Membership?

No. Your NGO will not get grants after signing up for the Premium Membership. The purpose of this membership service is to enable organizations to have a greater impact in their community and enable agencies and grantmakers to leverage our Nonprofit Directory; the one-stop shop to easily identify the right grantee organizations and make informed grant making decisions.

Is it necessary to sign up for this membership to apply for grants?

How can I contribute my own educational materials to Centre NGO’s?

To contribute your own educational materials to Centre NGO, you have a couple of options. You can submit an inquiry through our partnership hub, where you can express your interest in sharing your educational materials with us. Alternatively, you can send us an email at info@centrengo.org, (Subject: Inquiry for Contributing Educational Materials) to Centre NGO providing details about the educational materials you would like to contribute. Our team will review your inquiry or email and guide you through the process of sharing your materials with Centre NGO. We appreciate your willingness to contribute and look forward to collaborating with you to further our educational initiatives.

Why is Centre NGO a paid service?

Our Premium Membership is a paid service, which may appear unsuitable to some.

However, we initially developed our platform as a free service in 2016, during which time we learned a number of lessons about the development of our operations’ long-term viability. Our costs to construct a stable platform, operate pricey servers, and conduct constant research and development have climbed significantly over the past years. In addition, our devoted subscribers’ need for more advanced information increased.

To secure the long-term viability of our operations, maintain the continuity of our free service, and give advanced information on tools and resources related to philanthropy + Haiti, we launched our Premium Memberships. Users are obliged to pay for this service in order for us to cover the expenses associated with operating an infrastructure and a staff of specialists to manage content.

What if I am not satisfied with your Premium Service after signing up?

We understand that everyone may have different needs and we may not be able to satisfy everyone. It is because of this that we are offering a seven-day money-back policy. If you are not satisfied with our Premium Membership during the first seven days of your sign up, you can inform us here and we will make a full refund.

Will “my” NGO get funding/donations after registering to the directory?

While registering your NGO in our directory increases its visibility, we cannot guarantee that it will secure funding or donations. Donors typically support organizations whose missions align with their personal values. Our directory is designed to highlight organizations like yours, potentially helping to foster connections with donors who share your goals.

Is it necessary to sign up for our membership to register or claim our organization?

Technical Requirements

You don’t need any special software to use Centre NGO’s platform, we suggest a working laptop, and/or smartphone, and good WiFi.

Who owns the intellectual property published on our Web site?

Primary Research	Industry Research and Market Data	Competetive Intelligence
Surveys, Focus Groups, and Interviews. Year-over-year tracking program to measure impact over time. One-off tactical research studies	Industry consultants Third party research Market data & industry metrics, news, and rankings	Publicy available information. Internal support from sales, product and operating committee. Third party support/ subscriptions
All Rights Reserved	Data & research from external providers not exclusive	Research and data on new and existing firms in our space

I have more questions about the service. Where can I ask?

You can contact us at info@centrengo.org

Lessons learned from the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI): Insights for Civil Society Organizations

Centre NGO

This Post Has 0 Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Share This

Related Posts

Centre NGO

This Post Has 0 Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply