How We Raise Money — 02 of 03
Partnership funding — from INGOs, national CSOs, private sector organizations, government agencies, and civil society networks — is BDI's fastest-growing income channel. Partners bring more than money. They bring technical capacity, networks, geographic reach, and co-funding that unlocks access to grants BDI could not reach independently.
Partner Funding by Type — 2029 Target Split
Our Approach
Partners are fundamentally different from institutional donors. While donors provide grants, partners provide co-investment - contributing their own resources, networks, and capabilities alongside BDI's. This distinction shapes how BDI approaches partnership development: not as a funding transaction, but as a strategic alliance where both parties gain.
BDI's partnership strategy targets 10 new formal MOU partnerships per year through 2029. Each MOU establishes the basis for resource sharing, joint programming, or consortium funding arrangements. The goal is not volume - it is the right partners in the right areas, with the depth of relationship needed to unlock the next level of BDI's impact.
Critically, partners can also function as a pathway to institutional funding. When BDI partners with a larger INGO or a national institution like NaFAA, that partner often serves as the primary contract holder for grants that BDI could not independently access - channeling resources through to BDI as a co-implementing partner.
Consortium Co-Implementation
BDI joins a larger INGO or national institution as a co-implementing partner on grants they lead. BDI brings local presence, community trust, and field capacity.
Sub-Granting and Resource Channeling
Larger partners sub-grant a portion of their institutional funding to BDI to implement specific program components within our geographic or technical areas of strength.
Private Sector Co-Investment
Private sector partners co-invest in BDI programs that advance their sustainability or CSR objectives. BDI provides program design, community access, and impact reporting.
In-Kind and Technical Partnership
Some partners contribute expertise, equipment, training materials, or staff time — resources that reduce BDI's operational costs and free up grant funding for direct program delivery.
BDI's Current Partner Portfolio
BDI's current partner portfolio spans environmental conservation, fisheries, civil society, digital rights, and West African capacity development — reflecting the breadth of BDI's eight program areas.
CI
Conservation International
INGO Partner — Completed Project
BDI's first major institutional partner. CI channeled GEF funding to BDI as the local implementing organization for the SBCRP project in Sinoe County.
EFL
Elitrust Finecon Limited
Private Sector Consortium — Active
BDI's consortium partner for the NaFAA/OPEC Fund LWSFILI fisheries program, bringing financial management and enterprise development expertise.
NaFAA
NaFAA — Liberia
Government Institution — Active
The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority is BDI's primary government partner for the fisheries and aquaculture program.
NCSCL
National Civil Society Council of Liberia
CSO Network — Active Member
BDI is an active member of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, the country's primary CSO coordination body.
WACSI
West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)
Regional CSO Network — Active
BDI works with WACSI on digital rights and organizational capacity development, submitting a Digital Rights Action Plan 2026.
DARA
DARA — Digital Advocacy & Rights Alliance
Advocacy Network — Formalizing
BDI is formalizing membership in DARA as part of BDI's digital rights advocacy work around the Cybercrime Act 2025.
What Partners Contribute to BDI's Mission
The value of partnerships at BDI goes far beyond co-funding. Partners are the mechanism through which BDI accesses expertise it does not have, communities it has not reached, and funding it could not unlock on its own.
Financial Leverage
Every $1 BDI receives through a consortium partner can unlock $3-5 in grant funding that BDI could not independently access.
Technical Expertise
Partners bring specialized technical knowledge that deepens BDI's programs: biodiversity, fisheries, digital rights literacy.
Geographic Reach
Partners allow BDI to extend its program reach into new areas faster and with greater community trust than going alone.
Credibility and Endorsement
When a well-known INGO or government body publicly partners with BDI, it signals that BDI is a trusted, capable organization.
Capacity Building
Many partners provide training, mentorship, and professional development for BDI staff — as valuable as financial contributions.
Advocacy Amplification
Network partners amplify BDI's policy voice in national conversations around digital rights, civil society law, and community development.
Strategic Plan 2025-2029 Partnership Targets
The table below shows BDI's partnership funding targets across the five years of the Strategic Plan, alongside the annual MOU targets that will drive this growth.
| Year | Annual Budget | Partner Share | Target from Partners | New MOU Target | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | USD 200,000 | 20% | USD 40,000 | 10 MOUs | 40% |
| 2026 | USD 500,000 | 22% | USD 110,000 | 10 MOUs | 15% |
| 2027 | USD 900,000 | 23% | USD 207,000 | 10 MOUs | 6% |
| 2028 | USD 1,500,000 | 24% | USD 360,000 | 10 MOUs | 3% |
| 2029 | USD 2,000,000 | 25% | USD 500,000 | 10 MOUs | Target |
Progress percentages are indicative and reflect early-2025 status. A cumulative total of 50 new MOU partnerships by 2029 will form the backbone of BDI's partner funding channel.
Partnership Tiers
BDI structures its partnership relationships across three tiers, each with different levels of engagement, resource commitment, and strategic priority.
Strategic Partners
Long-term, multi-program alliances with deep mutual investment
Program Partners
Project-based collaboration on specific program areas
Network Partners
Membership and advocacy network affiliations
Partner With BDI
BDI brings what most INGOs and international organizations lack in Liberia: genuine community trust, a Liberian-led team with lived experience, and the field presence to make programs work where donors struggle to reach. If your organization is looking for a credible, accountable, and passionate co-implementer in West Africa, we want to hear from you.
info@basadev.org