Merti Integrated Development Programme (MID-P), is a local NGO that was formed in the year 2000 as an exit strategy for Action Aid Kenya. In the year 2003, the organization was registered as an NGO with the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Coordination Board. MID-P has made strides in strengthening its resource mobilization efforts, ensuring its sustainability and capacity to serve the community. Operating across all 10 Wards in Isiolo County, MID-P has faced numerous challenges in resource mobilization, including the limited capacity of the Board of Directors to engage in fundraising, a lack of unrestricted or own funds, and an underdeveloped social enterprise. The organization recruited a Fundraising Officer. with support from another partner, and has struggled to sustain the position financially.
Through partnership with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and funding from DANIDA, MID-P was able to strengthen its resource mobilization capacity. DRC’s support focused on three key areas: Resource Mobilization, Monitoring and Evaluation and Finance. Under the resource mobilization component, the organization was able to retain its Fundraising Officer, who has led the fundraising department with success. MID-P’s annual turnover was KES 144,868,855 in 2022, and it increased to KES 183,104,252 in 2023 as per the organizational annual Audit report. MID-P developed 24 proposals to date, of which 10 were successful. To add to these achievements, the DRC partnership facilitated the development of MID-P’s Resource Mobilization Strategy (2024-2026) identifying diverse approaches to fundraising. These include proposal writing, courtesy calls to potential partners, and the establishment of MID-P Centre as part of income-generating activities. To further boost capacity, MID-P staff and Board members were trained in resource mobilization, equipping them with the necessary skills to secure new and additional resources.
MID-P has taken steps to ensure its sustainability. One of the most notable achievements was the acquisition of 0.75 acres of land within Isiolo town with a 10 rooms flat roof structure at KES 8.5 million. MID-P used indirect cost recovery (ICR) received from different project, income from office space rental in Merti, while KES 300,000 was raised by the staff and Board to secure the land. A Consultant has been engaged to support the development of a business plan for the MID-P Centre, which is expected to play an important role in generating income for the organization. The Centre will provide MID-P with its own office space and will also serve as an income-generating asset with office space to rent and value addition Centre.
“Now that the land has been acquired and we have our own space, with just a few renovations here and there, we can move into the new office space,” said Ms. Rukia Buke, Treasurer of MID-P’s Board of Directors.
MID-P’s leadership (Board members, Executive Director and Program Manager) has initiated discussions with the County leadership to seek support for the establishment of the MID-P Centre and completion of payment for the land, with plans to hold a fundraising breakfast event bringing together leaders from various sectors.
“The support from DRC/DANIDA has been instrumental in enhancing our resource mobilization efforts. This partnership has shown the importance of collaboration in driving meaningful change,” said Mohamed Duba, MID-P Fundraising Officer.
One of the key lessons learned by MID-P is the importance of strategic partnerships. The collaboration with DRC/DANIDA has been important in expanding resource mobilization capacity, highlighting the need for continuous engagement with partners to achieve organizational sustainability. MID-P recognizes the need for unrestricted funds, which allow greater flexibility in addressing operational costs and investing in long-term sustainability initiatives. MID-P is in the process of developing its 4th generation Strategic Plan (2025-2029).
“Sustainability of an organization is critical. MID-P needs to generate its own unrestricted funds and take care of some operational costs. We have just started the journey, and we are grateful to DRC and DANIDA for walking with us,” said Molu Tepo, Executive Director of MID-P.
With the commitment of Board of Directors, staff, and partners, MID-P is well on its way to becoming a self-sustaining organization, ensuring it can continue to work with the communities of Northern Kenya for years to come.
