And: I have just now learned about the [more:] function. in a better world I would have learned that first, then posted. Sorry for hogging the front page.

This is really a reach, but I've met a guy named Robert Gamble who is basically a one-man charity in Odessa, Ukraine, called This Child Here. He works with Odessa's street kids. In his case it is pretty much a small-time organization- basically him, working in conjunction with The Way Home, another Ukrainian organization.

From what I understand, Bob funds his activities strictly by donation; when he runs out of money, he comes back to the U.S. and travels to different cities, speaking to church and civic groups until he gets enough funding to go back. However, he may have some connections with respect to NGO funding in Europe.

As in many aspects of life, you can learn a lot from networking. If nothing else, I think Bob would be a good networking contact.

Good luck with your worthy cause.

Have you heard of the Cronical of Philanthropy? You can find Leeds to funders there and it's a good magazine to read to get to know the non-prof world better. There is also a publication, Catalof of Federal Domestic Assistance that you can search for all federal gov. assistance programs. Searching for either one of those in Google will list tons of other links to funding.

I wish I had more help for you. It's been a long long time since I was involved in the funding world. Also, what Doo said; Network Network, Network.

Thank you Doohickie, MonkeyButler, these are useful links for me. NETWORKING is something I have so little experience with / aptitude for, but I see it is an important thing to learn.

Sorry Meatbomb, to have assumed that you are in the U.S.

My experience is in the US as well and I agree with Miko - hire a development person. If that's out of the question for the moment, here's what I would do:

1. Make up a packet (this can be as simple as a 2 pocket folder with some documents inside or as complicated as a DVD or somewhere in between) explaining your mission, what you're doing, what you hope to do. Include pictures. Include a FAQ sheet that includes statistics - 30% of the children in this village would not be able to go beyond the 4th grade without our help; now that our teachers are in place 12% of the children have gone on to secondary school, which is a 97% increase over 2005 figures. Include a begging letter - we are asking you for your support in this very important venture. Your generous, fully tax deductible contribution will go directly to fund vital services for these underprivileged youth, etc. Include what you're willing to give your donors: a $50 donation gets you a nice thank you letter, a $2000 donation gets a copy of your logo on our website, a $5000 donation will get a personal visit from trained emus carrying hookers & blow. You know, the usual. You'll want to have a bunch of copies of this packet so you can leave them with your donors.

2. Identify your local donors. Who's rich? Who runs the factory? Who runs the biggest store? Make an appointment to go see them. Take your packet. Maybe buy them lunch if you have to. Smile a lot. If necessary, weep. Don't leave them alone until they fork over some cash.

3. Research. Who's funding your peers? What grants are out there specifically designed to fund the kind of work you're doing?

4. Hopefully, profit, or, well, hey, non-profit! Now you can hire somebody else to do this and go back to teaching.

Great advice, MGL.

Meatbomb: there was I time I used to say "I hate networking," but I found out that when I'm actually passionate about something and want people to help me make it happen, and they get excited about it too, it's really not onerous. It's more like kids saying "Hey, let's put on a show!" Don't be ashamed to make "asks" for money. You have a very worthy cause (it sounds like) and there is demonstrated need (it sounds like). There are people out there who really want to be associated with positive change.

What MGL says about the hard numbers is also true. Being able to talk about your efficacy in real, concrete terms with visible outcomes is something donors really, really like. But don't forget the emotional side of the appeal as well - testimonials, brief 'stories' about clients, etc.