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The Cultural Affairs Officer Linda McMullen during the workshop (Photo: Yacouba Soro/US Embassy)

Community and NGO leaders Participate in Fundraising Program 

The US Embassy’s Cultural Affairs Officer, Linda McMullen, led an intense two day workshop for NGO leaders May 7-8 in San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire’s third largest city.  The program was involved government and local officials, as well as NGO leaders.

Workshop sessions focused on fundraising (soliciting funds from individuals, organizations, and the private sector), American-style grant writing, and the importance of volunteers to community development and nation-building. 

One especially effective workshop segment let participants critically analyze a mock Self-Help Fund application, evaluating how well it described the proposal’s program, beneficiaries, planning, calendar, budget, evaluation techniques, and goals. 

In addition to the NGO workshop, Ms. McMullen was able to squeeze in an extra program for sixty community leaders, school teachers and social activists, where she discussed educational and cultural aspects of American life.  She talked about the great diversity found in the United States, and also spoke to parents and students in the audience about studying in the US and what’s involved in the application process – everything from university selection to scholarships to visas.