Resource Mobilisation

This free online course is designed for civil society organisation staff seeking to strengthen their resource mobilisation knowledge, skills, and strategies. The course introduces a structured approach to identifying, planning, and communicating resource needs across a range of funding and non-funding sources, including grants, individual giving, earned income, volunteering, and in-kind contributions.

Participants will explore practical tools for analysing organisational needs and priorities, developing resource mobilisation strategies and plans, and improving communication and monitoring of mobilisation efforts. The course also introduces approaches for building stronger partnerships and internal coordination to support sustainable resource mobilisation.

By the end of the course, learners will be able to design more coherent, diversified, and strategically aligned approaches to mobilising resources for their organisations.

This course is available in Arabic, English, and Portuguese. The course duration is 3.5 hours.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

LO1 Define the concept of resource mobilisation and identify key resource types used by civil society organisations

LO2 Explain the importance of resource mobilisation and the different motivations behind various funding and support streams

LO3 Describe the use of analytical tools such as SWOT analysis, situation analysis, and Organisational Capacity Assessment (OCA) in assessing resource needs and priorities

LO4 Identify how organisations map and prioritise potential resource partners and funding opportunities

LO5 Describe the key components and purpose of a resource mobilisation strategy

LO6 Describe how a resource mobilisation plan is developed, including reference to tools such as the Business Model Canvas

LO7 Explain how communication supports resource mobilisation, including messaging, channels, and stakeholder engagement

LO8 Describe how resource mobilisation activities are monitored and used to inform improvement and reporting

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the full spectrum of resource mobilisation approaches used by civil society organisations
• Apply knowledge of analytical tools to interpret organisational needs and inform mobilisation priorities
• Recognise how strategies and plans are structured to guide effective resource mobilisation practice
• Identify appropriate approaches for engaging different types of resource providers and partners
• Understand how communication and messaging contribute to effective mobilisation outcomes
• Interpret monitoring approaches used to assess performance and improve resource mobilisation efforts
• Strengthen internal awareness of how coordinated planning supports sustainable organisational resourcing

This course was produced as part of the Aga Khan Foundation’s Civil Society programme.

The course can be completed as an online-only course or in a blended format where learners first watch the videos and then engage in a synchronous in-person session. A Facilitator Guide is available for download for the synchronous in-person session.

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