Clinton School student Viviane Rossi recently completed a report on funding and partnership opportunities for a Brazilian non-profit that provides educational opportunities for impoverished young women and girls.
The project will enable Bahia Street, based in Salvador, Brazil, to become more effective in pursuing its mission and expanding services, Rossi said.
Rossi completed the project as part of the Clinton School Capstone program, the third and final public service requirement in the Master of Public Service degree program.
A native Brazilian, Rossi combined her knowledge of the American non-profit sector with her understanding of Brazilian culture to provide a historical overview of non-profit expansion in Brazil.
Bahia Street commissioned the study to find ways to achieve sustainable growth while preserving its values and mission, Rossi said.
During her research, Rossi contacted and surveyed potential donors, as well as other Brazilian nonprofit organizations facing similar challenges.
“Learning about the experiences of other organizations pursuing funding with Brazilian donors can help and better prepare Bahia Street to create a successful strategy in this area, avoiding common mistakes and adjusting expectations,” Rossi said.
While Bahia Street currently targets its fundraising efforts in the United States and the United Kingdom, Rossi worked to identify possible funding sources within Brazil, she said.
Rossi found that Brazilian foundations are particularly interested in funding capacity-building initiatives, an area that could bring long-term benefits to Bahia Street’s work.