Nonprofit Lowdown #342- Fundraising for International NGO with Katy Troyer
5 snips
Jun 16, 2025 Katy Troyer, Executive Director of the KGSA Foundation, shares her insights on international fundraising and the challenges posed by recent funding cuts. She discusses the significance of storytelling and community in donor engagement, and how immersive trips to Kenya not only deepen bonds but also make a lasting impact. Katy emphasizes the importance of adaptability in the nonprofit sector, including strategies for maintaining remote support and enhancing donor connections. Her passion for empowering girls through education shines throughout the conversation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Small US Team, Big Local Impact
- KGSA is a free boarding high school serving ~150 vulnerable girls in Kibera, Nairobi, run by a small US-based foundation team.
- The US foundation focuses on fundraising and marketing while working closely with Kenyan school leadership to deliver education and empowerment.
Funding Shifts Force A Philanthropy Pivot
- Major cuts to USAID and PEPFAR have forced international NGOs to pivot toward private philanthropy in the U.S.
- Katy expects increased competition and is doubling down on donor stewardship to survive near-term policy shifts.
Run Small Immersive Donor Trips
- Take immersive donor impact trips so supporters can witness the school's effect firsthand and return as passionate advocates.
- Keep groups small, assign pod leaders, and work with local Kenyan partners to maximize impact and local benefit.
