The global philanthropy landscape has become increasingly accessible to Brazilian civil society organizations. At the same time, the current context demands attention: cuts in international cooperation programs and growing competition for resources require that institutional preparedness be a starting point, not just a differentiating factor. NGOs that enter the international market with solid governance, strategic communication, and efficient operations gain a competitive edge.
How to plan an international fundraising campaign.
Before seeking any international grant or donor, it is crucial to understand that the philanthropic ecosystem outside of Brazil functions differently. For example, in the USA—the world's largest hub for donations—philanthropy is much more connected to the corporate environment and private initiatives than to the public sector, which is the predominant model in Brazil.
Therefore, it's not just about translating content into English. It's necessary to adapt the storytelling, align the proposal with the funders' expectations, and demonstrate results in a concrete and objective way. International funders see grants as a way to boost initiatives and projects that already demonstrate consistency and are growing, with proven impact.
Here are some tips for those who want to start fundraising internationally:
1. Strengthen your institutional base.
NGOs that consistently raise funds internationally share some common characteristics: robust accountability processes, staff capable of communicating in English, impact monitoring, and audited financial statements. These are not differentiators, they are prerequisites.
2. Identify the right donors for your cause.
Foundations such as Ford, Wellcome Trust, Oak Foundation and Open Society They have very specific thematic areas, priority geographies, and partner profiles. NGOs working in health, education, the environment, and human rights tend to find greater acceptance in the international market. Careful mapping saves energy and increases the approval rate.
In addition to large foundations, it's worth researching companies with their own institutes. You can search for terms like "foundation," "grants," or "social impact" associated with the company name—many have lesser-known but equally relevant support programs.
The most common mistake is submitting generic projects to any available funder. International donors expect proposals that directly engage with their theory of change and eligibility criteria.
3. Build relationships before the calls for proposals.
Much of international funding is relational. Participating in networks such as WINGS, GIFE, Participating in civil society forums at global conferences and maintaining an active presence on international platforms are ways to be found by the right funders. The etiquette of your approach matters.
The approach to potential supporters should be objective and respectful. Long or poorly structured messages compromise the initial contact.
4. Documentation up to date
Maintain up-to-date institutional documentation in English (annual reports, safeguard policies, compliance). Have a clear theory of change, with concrete evidence of impact and data, not just narratives.
Answer the key questions before submitting:
- What sets the organization apart?
- Is the project scalable?
- Does the team have a proven track record of execution?
International awards and grants as a gateway
The international ecosystem offers a diversity of competitive calls for proposals and awards that serve as entry points, both for the resources they offer and for the visibility and credibility they generate for the organization.
Types of opportunities available
The field is diverse: there are calls for proposals by thematic area (health, education, climate, human rights, racial and gender equality), by organizational size, by project phase (pilot, scaling, learning) and by geographic region. There are also recognition awards that, even without significant financial support, open doors for influential foundations and networks.
| Private foundations | Ford, Wellcome Trust, Oak, Open Society, Gates. Defined thematic focus, long relationship cycles. |
| Multilateral agencies | UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women. Public notices with formal criteria and fixed deadlines. |
| Themed awards | They generate visibility, credibility, and connections with funder networks even when the financial reward is smaller. |
| business institutes | Many global companies have their own foundations with less competitive programs and a specific thematic focus. |
The format of the proposals
International funders typically work in two stages: an initial letter of intent—usually up to two pages—followed, if there is interest, by a full proposal of seven to ten pages detailing objectives, methodology, expected results, and budget. Invest in clarity from the letter of intent onwards: who benefited, how, and what concrete results were achieved.
Tips for creating international proposals:
- Carefully read the guidelines of the call for proposals and the projects previously funded by the donor.
- Propose budgets that include institutional overhead—serious funders expect and respect that.
- Support your proposals with data: track record, impact metrics, transparency regarding limitations.
- Demonstrate proven ability to execute, not just the relevance of the case.
What to do when the donation arrives
The approval of international funding is cause for celebration, but it also marks the beginning of an operational process that demands attention. Many organizations are surprised by the practical complexities that arise at this stage.
Legal and regulatory issues
All international transfers to a Brazilian NGO must be registered with the Central Bank through the SISBACEN system. The organization needs to have an active CNPJ (Brazilian tax ID), a bank account in its own name, and, in some cases, special attention must be paid to COAF (Council for Financial Activities Control) requirements for preventing money laundering and, for donations from foreign governments, the possible need for authorization from the Ministry of Justice.
If the organization does not yet have all its regulatory structure in order, one alternative is to resort to... fiscal sponsorship. This model is an arrangement in which an already established non-profit organization receives and manages the resources on behalf of your project, acting as an administrative and legal base while its own structure is not yet ready. Sitawi Finanças do Bem This service is offered to impact initiatives that need to operate regularly and securely before establishing their own legal structure.
The tax issue
In general, donations received by non-profit organizations are exempt from income tax, but this depends on the organization's legal structure (OSCIP, OS, association) and the classification of the transfer. It is always advisable to consult an accountant specializing in the non-profit sector before finalizing any foreign exchange transaction.
Donor communication
Keeping the donor informed about the process of receiving, converting, and starting the execution of the grant is a good practice that strengthens the relationship. Any delays or operational difficulties should be communicated proactively. Trust is the most valuable asset in the relationship with international funders.
Once the funding is on its way, currency exchange becomes the next most critical step. The difference between using a traditional bank and a solution specialized for NGOs can represent a significant loss of the value raised and a reduction in the potential impact.
Good Deeds Exchange: Transform every transfer into greater impact.
When an NGO receives an international donation, it needs to convert the amount into Brazilian reais to execute the project. This process is often treated as an unavoidable cost and carried out directly with the organization's bank, without market research. But it is precisely there that precious resources are silently lost.
The Exchange of Good This is the solution developed by Sitawi to enable civil society organizations to carry out this conversion with significantly lower rates than those offered by traditional banks, with complete transparency and generating a positive socio-environmental impact.
- Single spread of 0.7% – While traditional banks charge between 3% and 5%, Câmbio do Bem operates with a fixed and transparent spread.
- Savings of up to R$20 for every US$100 – Each conversion can represent significantly more resources available for the project.
- You don't need to open a new account – The transaction is performed directly to the organization's current account.
- Regulatory security – Operated through Banco BS2, authorized by the Central Bank of Brazil to conduct foreign exchange transactions.
- Operation via WhatsApp – A simple, quick process with human assistance. No bank branch bureaucracy.
- Multiplying impact – Part of the spread supports Sitawi's advocacy efforts to strengthen the third sector.
Organizations using Câmbio do Bem have already saved over R$ 1 million. These are crucial resources for boosting impactful projects instead of being lost to large bank fees.
Is your organization ready to efficiently receive international funding?
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