Strategy for Mobilization and Sustainability of Resources Among Not-for- Profit Organizations in Kenya: a Case Study of the Bible Society of Kenya

Abstract

This study was conducted by carrying out in-depth interviews with Bible Society of Kenya General Secretary and senior staff (respondents). The study intended to document the Bible Society of Kenya's plans and activities in resource mobilization, the sustainability of that resource mobilization and also establish the factors that led to the Society's decision to mobilize resources locally. Historically, not for profit organizations have relied on funds from the developed countries, mainly Europe and United States of America. However changes in the external environment, both within the country and globally caused a reduction in the availability of resources. Given that most of those served by the not for profit organizations have always viewed themselves as recipients of donor funds and not as donors to organizations serving them, the researcher set out to document the resource mobilization activities the Society carried out and to establish the factors that led to the Society's decision to mobilize resources. The study has established that the Society has a strategy for resource mobilization that includes both generation of income from sale of scriptures-.as well as carrying out fundraising activities in churches and among individuals. Income from scripture sales has been done through concentration on those scripture products that can be sold at slightly higher prices than cost. Fundraising has been done through holding fundraising dinners as well as direct appeals for funds from supporters in churches and among individuals. The Society has also been able to embark on local resource mobilization without contradicting its mission of making the widest, effective distribution of the scriptures because it has served those unable to pay the higher prices through discounts and free distribution. The Society's experience has shown that the Bible Societies slogan "at a price that they can afford" needs continuous appraisal to determine reasonable prices for bible societies products. The researcher came to a conclusion that the potential to generate funds locally is there and even if not for profits might not have adequate local resources for all their work, the potential is there for substantial local resources.