SPF Organizational Needs

To date SPF has been funded primarily by Serengeti Watch. In addition, Serengeti Watch has facilitated the direct application by SPF to the Global Greengrants Fund to support both operational costs and Maasai radio programming.

Currently SPF has a single full-time staff member, with a very limited, paid support team for specific projects, and some experienced volunteers.  It is important that SPF move toward self-sustainability, including more staff, operational funds, and its own grant generating capability.

To expand and diversify its outreach, several needs must be addressed:

Program-specific Funding

Funds for all programs in the 5-year plan, and for new programs to be developed as we move forward. SPF needs to creatively apply cost efficiencies within and across programs. This especially applies to the implementation of either the Community Saturation Approach, within a single community, or a Cross-Community Approach, across many communities.  Because Serengeti-adjacent communities are remote, the Community Saturation Approach is most practical.

Additional Staff

Currently, the Director develops and conducts all activities, with minimal volunteer support.  Another staff member is needed.  New staff members would need a minimum of $6,000 per year as a starting salary, with annual increases of 10% for effective work. A possible outcome of the Wildlife Ambassador program is to identify and develop potential staff members.

Operational Funds

This includes transportation (public and hired), additional technology hardware and miscellaneous expenses for new staff.

Ongoing Training & Capacity Building

SPF’s Director has a natural gift for engaging communities, and a natural passion for conservation science.  He also is an integral part of the culture within which he is working, making him the perfect Director for an initiative like SPF.

However, he has been working as an individual in SPF for several years and counting, in large part on funding supported by Serengeti Watch.  With the ambitious plan to increase programming and hire staff, it will be important to support his professional development in two key areas:

• Management of programs, funds, and staff. Management training can be provided through selected online coursework, for example through the Open University of Tanzania, at low cost, and on a schedule that suits his work patterns.
• Fundraising: increasing the Director’s ability to directly identify funding opportunities, write grants, and engage funder interest successfully in SPF’s mission and work. This will be supported by SPF volunteer consultant Amy Pallangyo, who has extensive experience in fund-raising and grant writing. And by Serengeti Watch, which has its own experience to bring.