OSU SANKALPA
History
Sankalpa, founded by Ohio State University graduate students in 2000, is a Columbus-based chapter dedicated to improving lives in India. With 45 successful projects in education, sanitation, energy, agriculture, and health, we have invested around $42,000 to make a lasting impact. Join us on our journey to continue making a difference in our homeland.
Our Mission
Our mission at Sankalpa is to improve the lives of people in need in India!
Objective
Our primary goal is to support sustainable, grassroots-level projects in areas such as education, health, sanitation, and agriculture. To achieve this, Sankalpa collaborates with independent social workers and small-scale nonprofit groups to coordinate and fund developmental projects.
Vision
Development Enhancement Networking
Local, sustainable grassroots initiatives
Assessment research consultancy
Sankalpa's three main domains of focus are development, research, and networking. They aim to maintain and grow their current projects in India, offer research consultancy services to help developmental partners assess their work, and foster communication and interaction between social workers and non-profit groups to improve developmental activities across India.
Sankalpa recognizes the importance of supporting independent social workers and small non-profit groups working at a local level, as they often have valuable local knowledge, experience, and community links that can lead to large developmental benefits from small investments.
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Development: Sankalpa aims to maintain and expand their SMG projects in India.
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Research: Sankalpa offers research consultancy to help developmental partners evaluate their work and document the results.
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Networking: Sankalpa is building a strong network of social workers and non-profit groups across India.
The Operative Model
Sankalpa’s operative model ensures 100% utilization of funds for developmental activities.
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Our model is composed of six basic steps:
1. Identification of partner(s)
2. Request for proposal (RFP) and decision-making
3. Fund Allocation
4. Project implementation
5. Monitoring and feedback
6. Project evaluation and assessment
Sankalpa aims to establish lasting relationships with partners for future projects, promoting mutual trust and ensuring fair project implementation.
- Partner Identification: This is the most crucial step of all. Identifying dedicated and partners is key to ensuring 100% utilization of Sankalpa’s funds. Partner identification usually happens through personal experiences of Sankalpa members with developmental organizations or recommendation through our trusted contacts/friends/family in India. Otherwise, potential partners are identified through in-depth research about honest social worker(s)/non-profit groups. Additionally, identification of partners is followed by further verification via correspondence and/or personal contacts in India. In the future, Sankalpa intends to identify partners through recommendation of its existing partners.
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- RFP and Decision-Making: Once the partner is identified, Sankalpa sends a request for proposal. After receiving the completed proposal, it is discussed during the bi-weekly meetings. An in-depth evaluation is done with consultation of Sankalpa members. In addition, members also discuss the adequacy of information provided and if required more information is requested to clarify any ambiguity. Further to the discussion (or receipt of additional information) and depending on the alignment of the proposed project with Sankalpa’s criteria of micro-developmental and sustainable activity, a decision is made whether to fund the project or not. Special attention is paid to timeline, budgetary requirements, and feedback mechanism involved in monitoring the project. The decision is then communicated to the partner.
- Remitting Funds: Following the positive decision, Sankalpa remits the requested funds to the partner in India.
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- Project Implementation: This is the second most crucial step after partner identification. Honest and fair implementation of the proposed project ensures 100% utilization of the funds. Identification of dedicated partner assures success of the project implementation phase and conscientious utilization of funds.
- Monitoring and Feedback: A reliable feedback mechanism loop is established once the project is set in progress.
1. Interim progress report from the partner
2. Personal visit by a 'Sankalpee' including a detailed personal visit report, 3. Final report at completion with itemized budgetary description.
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- Evaluation and Assessment: Presently, this is an optional step in Sankalpa’s operative model. In the light of Sankalpa’s vision of research consultancy, project evaluation and assessment will become imperative. Moreover, we plan to integrate this vision with increasing number of projects in the future.
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Sankalpa's operative model ensures 100% fund utilization and fosters long-term partnerships. Guidelines for proposal evaluation and project monitoring are under development.