A Budget Puzzle: The Struggle to Fund Global Citizenship Programs by Suji DeHart

I’ve wondered for a while now: Why do schools promote global citizenship and service learning in their mission statement but don’t fully support this with money, time, or messaging?

Additionally, even when Global Citizenship Education (GCED) and service are part of the accreditation process, GCED is given short-shrift– it’s baffling!

So, I asked everyone I could, and got some truly interesting ideas from fellow educators for funding your service learning and GCED initiatives, which I’d like to share here with you.

General Tips:

First, think about who you’re asking for funding, and get into “their shoes”. What do THEY want to see in 1 month, 6 months, a year? What are their pain points or stressors? How can what you are doing either make the good things happen or the bad things NOT happen??

As Duncan Brain from IS Tanzania said: You need to 'sell' the idea to the relevant body that may have money you can access. This may be a government body offering funding for environmental initiatives, a private business wanting to be seen to make a positive difference in the world, a NGO that has funding - these often have to be used within timeframes and can enable access as the 'expiry' for the funding might be close.

Watch “Shark Tank” or “Dragon’s Den” and get creative tips. Watch this 4 minute video from TED about pitching your idea. Practice pitching with a family member or teammate before you pitch for real.?

Keep at it. Take no for an answer, but then ask again. Or ask somebody else. Or ask in a different way.?

Method 1 : Getting Funding from your SCHOOL

IB CAS requirements are a part of the IB Diploma Program and Service As Action is part of the MYP program. As such, the IBO has requirements when authorising a school as an IB World School.?

One of the respondents to my survey told us: “We finally got a budget of $3,000 for CAS after our last IB accreditation visit when they said we had to have one. “??

So, if you are an IB school, check to see if your school is meeting the IB requirements for funding SAA and CAS.?

If you are not at an IB school, you can still “pitch” for school budget to be used towards service programs.?

• Present your request for funding as a valuable investment in teacher development and student outcomes.?
• Align your pitch with professional development for educators, emphasise any potential to enhance teaching methodologies, incorporate innovative tools, and foster student engagement in societal issues.??

Share clearly and concisely how this aligns also with the mission of the school and with accreditation requirements (if it does, and almost certainly it will).?

Method 2 : Getting Funding from SCHOOL-RELATED bodies

Parent Teacher Association:

Communicate the value and impact on their children's development in social and environmental awareness. Be very clear about exactly how the funds will be used. What aspect of their children’s lives will be enhanced? Service and sustainability projects or programs can enhance creativity, perseverance, social and emotional wellbeing, critical problem solving, real world skills like budgeting or communications and teamwork. Let parents know all of the ways the program will benefit their children.

School Board

Much of what applies to the PTA will also apply here, but since School Boards are made up of various members of the community, not all of whom are school parents, you’ll have to think more in terms of what the school board is looking for: not only excellence for the child’s experience but how it reflects on the school as a whole.

Method 3 : Getting Funding from OUTSIDE of the SCHOOL

Corporate Sponsors: Many companies have Community Engagement and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) requirements, so funding a student initiative might be just what they are looking for. Brand visibility and opportunities to market their products might tempt them to sponsor school programs, such as getting their logo on a banner or selling products at a school event. Many of our students’ parents are in the corporate sector, so it may be simpler than it seems to find sponsorships.?

Example: ICS Addis Ababa Focus on Service (FOS) group is a dynamic High School service club that actively raises funds to support all other service clubs in the high school. FOS, as a service-learning enterprise, organises a wide range of fundraising events aimed at securing the necessary financial resources to sustain service engagement at ICS.

The FOS offers sponsorship packets to large companies, providing them with an opportunity to contribute to the cause. Depending on the level of sponsorship, companies are granted advertising opportunities to promote their products and services through various channels. This mutually beneficial arrangement enables companies to gain exposure while supporting the valuable service projects organised by FOS.

NGO Sponsors are also a possibility if their mission aligns with the project being undertaken.?

Method 4 : Getting Money DIRECTLY (Fundraising)

Fundraising is a slightly controversial topic. One of our survey respondents sums it up brilliantly:??

Students fundraise and this has been a tradition going way back with significant events becoming traditional ways to raise money for service partners.? Often this money was just handed over to service partners rather than accountability for fund use being built into the picture.? In trying to improve this, I have stopped many of these fundraisers and tried to refocus on the service learning and actions that can be taken without lots of funds needed - using the resources we have at school.? But I would love to have a budget that had more clear objectives and could be managed to facilitate a better program.? Also, if there was more funding for a full-time role for service learning then we could work on getting it into the curriculum more.? As it is there is only 20% time given to the SL Coordinator role and no stipend.? Same for CAS Coordinator.

That being said, it is sometimes your only means, so here are some super ideas shared by SLCs around the world. I’d like to highlight a truly brilliant one from Aga Khan Academy Mombasa , Tanzania:

Well, that wraps it up. I hope you’ve found some valuable information and ideas for funding service and global citizenship programs or initiatives at your school. Maybe someday, in a more perfect world, budgets will support more fully these important aspects of a student’s educational journey. or now we can help each other with support and suggestions… let’s go Make A Difference!