Stakeholder relations

Precisely because we look for involvement as part of our business model, it is important to approach each target group in a suitable manner.

Donor relations:
From the moment a donor signs on, at various times throughout the year, the donor will be informed on the status and progress of their donation. Use of the internet and e-mail guarantee regular interaction with the donors:

  • Personal progress report (twice yearly). [Links naar diverse rapportages]
  • Net4kids newsletters (at least three times per year).
  • Project updates (at least twice yearly).
  • Annual report (once yearly).

Project reporting
Personal feedback is a key part of the Net4kids model. The prize money from the Transparency Award (€ 10,000) will be invested in creating even greater cohesion between various forms of reporting: projects and organisation. We want to further professionalise individual reporting per donor, with a personal website that shows them exactly how his/her project and donations are doing. All of these desires are bundled in the development of a 'My Net4kids' website, due to launch in 2008.

Until then, the majority of the reports will be sent by e-mail. Corporate donors will (until MyNet4kids arrives) be provided with a personalised minisite. The minisites contain information regarding sponsoring: the sponsor and the context of sponsorship, the projects, reports and often also photo albums and video reports.
Using a fixed format and providing the donor with the option of delivering content, the platform is a good way for the donor to communicate with his or her key target groups.

Accessibility and personal contact
While we strive to channel the majority of contacts via the internet, donors always have the option of contacting the organisation directly with comments or questions. The possibility for contact is the basis for personal involvement and transparency. We now have a reasonable stable office staff, also supported by Facility Office Support's telephone services. This allows to guarantee almost 100% availability during office hours.

The new website allows us to service (potential) donors better than ever before. In 2006, 10% of people wanting to make a donation first tried to contact Net4kids directly prior to donating. This year, the number has dropped to an estimated 5%.

The main reasons for (potential) donors to seek contact are:

  • Donation wills
  • Payment information

Donor meets project
In order to increase involvement in the projects, the goal is to organise at least one ‘donor-meets-project-partner’ session each year. This depends on the project partner’s schedule, considering the priority must remain at execution of the project, and it is not always possible or desirable to move people away from the project. In 2007, we were fortunate to welcome two foreign project partners. Tirtha Rasaili from the Child Watabaran Centre Nepal visited the Netherlands in February. He made a presentation to main sponsor Leaseplan and the Net4kids team. Sister Cyril also visited the Netherlands again, this time with five of her 'Rainbow Girls'. She also met with the team and donors. Such meetings provide the organisation with an additional stimulus, which is reflected in even greater enthusiasm and cohesion between all involved parties.

Organisation sponsor relations
With the money, goods or services they provide, our organisation sponsors are the flywheel for the child aid we so believe in. We want to keep them updated on what their contribution achieves and on the state of our organisation. The newsletters and the annual report are not always sufficient, because the contribution from organisation sponsors is not directly linked to a single project or group of children.

That's why we offer presentations in addition to our newsletters and annual report. In 2007, we gave three donors personalised information on what their help means to us.

Project relations
Net4kids has 24 projects in ten countries, all performed by our local partners. Ultimately, they are the ones who try to give the children a better life with the money we collect for them. Even ignoring cultural differences, communication with our partners is made even more difficult due to language and time zone barriers. Therefore, Net4kids also provides all information – from website to annual report – in English, in a digital format. This ensures everyone is kept updated of all the things going on.

Additionally, each project partner has their own account manager. This account manager oversees the execution of the project and the flow of information towards donors, and supports the project partner from the Netherlands whenever possible. Regular e-mail or telephone contact is also maintained.

Press relations
With a minimal marketing budget, PR is the most important instrument in increasing Net4kids name recognition. The press is a target group that Net4kids attempts to involve in the progress made by the organisation and its projects wherever possible. Progress reports are regularly sent to a select group of journalists. This slowly seems to be generating results.

Team relations
Investment in internal communication remains a necessity. The entire team only meets four times per year. We try to function as a virtual organisation within each discipline, without the need to see each other every day. To this end, investments were made in an intranet and a monthly newsletter in 2007, which should stimulate action in addition to providing information.