Developing a Strategic Plan for a Middle East-focused Venture Philanthropy Firm

Founded in 2006, Alfanar is the only venture philanthropy organisation (VPO) focused on the Arab region. Alfanar aims to improve lives in disadvantaged communities in the Arab region by fostering the growth of innovative, financially sustainable social purpose organisations responding to pressing community needs. Alfanar is interested in becoming an institutional change agent for the region. Over the past 7 years, Alfanar has successfully supported 14 grassroots organisations in Egypt and is in the process of expanding its venture philanthropy work to Libya and Lebanon. Alfanar is at a critical juncture where it needs to shift from an ad-hoc organization to a sustainable institution.

Alfanar needs a sustainable business plan that aligns its investment and fundraising strategies and effectively moves the organization forward. The Capstone team  was tasked with developing a three-year business plan, including optimal organization structure, fundraising strategy and investment screening process. The project is broken into two phases: 1. Gather information and a deeper understanding of the current Alfanar; 2. Devise specific business plan to guide Alfanar into the next phase of its evolution.  Team members drove their own workstreams in phase 1 – internal assessment (Alfanar overview), external assessment (market) and finances.