Info Sessions on Proposal Writing and Fundraising

Kuala Lumpur, 8–22 August 2025 – INITIATE.MY successfully conducted a three-part internal workshop series on ‘Proposal Writing, Budgeting, and Fundraising Skills’ designed to strengthen staff capacity and enhance collaboration with civil society partners in developing competitive and values-based funding proposals.

Led by Fong Mun Hong, an experienced trainer with a background in international donor relations, the workshop took place at INITIATE.MY’s co-working space at KL Gateway, Petaling Jaya. The sessions brought together participants comprising INITIATE staff and civil society partners such as from the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR) and Projek SAMA (Project Stability and Accountability for Malaysia).

Trainer Fong Mun Hong explained the origins and evolution of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), highlighting how the practice has shaped evidence-based programme design and accountability in the development sector.

The workshop was structured into three thematic sessions:

Session 1: Funding Landscape & Proposal Basics
Participants were introduced to key funding sources, including government grants and philanthropic foundations, and explored strategies for navigating the evolving donor environment. The session also covered essential components of proposal writing, from goal setting and programme design to developing a theory of change and aligning budgets with project objectives.

Session 2: Logic Models, Risk Assessment & MEL
This session focused on project planning and evaluation tools. Participants learned how to develop logic models linking inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes, while also identifying and mitigating operational and reputational risks. The session included a hands-on exercise where participants designed a basic logic model and risk matrix for their own projects.

Session 3: Advanced Budgeting, Budget Narratives & Financial Readiness
The final session deepened participants’ understanding of budgeting processes, donor compliance, and financial accountability. Topics included detailed budget preparation, cash flow forecasting, and audit readiness, and ended with a practical exercise where participants drafted a concept note and budget outline.

Reading materials from the first session were also provided to ensure continuity for participants who joined in the later sessions. Through this workshop, INITIATE.MY reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a culture of accountability, strategic thinking, and partnership-driven growth within Malaysia’s civil society ecosystem.