4.1 Establishing targets

The CCG should establish initial fundraising targets as quickly as possible (within 48 hours of the emergency alert) to ensure that an appropriate level of funding can be secured for the response. This figure will be communicated to CARE Members and donors in CCG notes and in the initial appeal and emergency response strategy document (refer to section 4.3).

Fundraising targets are helpful for communicating the need for assistance to key stakeholders including donors, as well as assisting with planning for scaling-up CARE’s operations. Targets are also helpful to ensure CARE reassesses the needs and capacity to deliver the programme when fundraising targets are reached.

CARE’s fundraising targets should be commensurate with the overall goals established in CARE’s emergency response strategy (see Chapter 4 Programme Strategy , for guidance on developing a strategy). Targets should be proportionate to the level of humanitarian needs, and should recognise CARE’s mandate and obligation to respond to humanitarian crises.

Targets should also consider CARE’s absorptive capacity. Absorptive capacity is the extent to which CARE, drawing on global resources, can effectively and accountably address humanitarian needs and manage funds.

Fundraising targets should clearly define the time frames in which the funds will be spent. CARE will be accountable to donors for spending funds within these time frames. Time frames should be realistic and aim to give as much flexibility in programming as possible, while recognising donors’ expectations for rapid programming of funds.

Fundraising targets should define the priority interventions and sectors to assist with aligning fundraising proposals for priority activities, for example.