Atma engages in partnerships with organisations that focus on creating and improving education in India. These organisations are dedicated to creating quality educational programs for underprivileged children and young adults, but face multiple resource constraints in terms of funding, staff members and expertise. These limitations in resources limit their impact.
Atma works with organisations to address their resource constraints and create & execute growth plans.
You can read about our Current Atma Partners or our Graduated Atma Partners to learn about Atma’s impact. Or, read further about the Atma Partnership Model below.
Atma’s Partnership Model differs from other NGO consultancies. Atma Partnerships are:
- Holistic and intensive
- Based on strong relationships
- Tailored to NGOs providing education
- Focused on implementation
Each Atma Partnership is a collaborative growth process over a period of three phases.
Phase 1 – Identity: Defining and focusing the vision and mission, and developing the organizational brand and voice.
Phase 2 – Consolidation: Defining and documenting the model, and creating HR strategies to engage staff to administer programs.
Phase 3 – Growth: Setting the future strategic growth plan, growing programs and bringing more specific skills to the team.
Each partner receives these approximate hours on a yearly basis:
- Consultancy -200 hours
- Volunteers-1500 hours
- Volunteer Support-300 hours
- Training-100 hours
Atma works through consultancy, training and skilled volunteers. These areas of intervention form the Atma Model.
Consultancy
An Atma Partnerships coordinator meets with an Atma Partner organisation on a weekly basis to develop strategic goals, and create plans to carry them out. Consultancy forms the baseline of Atma’s service offering: this hands-on, intensive support allows Partners to set big goals and achieve them.
Skilled volunteers
Because of resource constraints in time and expertise, NGOs can often benefit from additional support. Atma brings in skilled volunteers at an appropriate time to complete specific projects that will support the growth of an organisation. Volunteers have developed teaching curriculums, designed websites, planned marketing campaigns, completed fundraising strategies, written HR manuals, verified accounting processes, launched blogs, filmed videos and created long term strategic plans for Atma Partners.
Training
Atma supports organisations in becoming self-sustaining. Building up skills within an organisation is part of this process. Atma offers workshops and trainings to Atma Partners, developed on a needs basis. Examples of workshops and training subjects include budgeting, Excel and Tally, HR development, fundraising techniques, organisational culture and more.
Through these three pillars, Atma provides inputs and concrete outputs in 10 specific Areas of organisational development. These areas are critical stepping stones that allow Atma Partners to build understanding, expertise, and systemic strength over the duration of the Atma Partnership.
- Administration – The effective and professional administrative functions and systems to meet organisational needs.
- Finance – The financial systems and procedures for financial accountability.
- Governance – The functioning and effective governing board, policies and practices.
- Leadership – The dynamic, capable and empowered management to lead and drive the organisation.
- Human Resources – The systems, process and polices for effectively staffing and managing employees of the organisation.
- Organisational Development – The short and long term strategic planning and development for organisational needs and goals.
- Program Development – The ongoing development of programs that are effectively managed, documented, executed and monitored.
- Monitoring and Evaluation – The systems and means for gauging, reporting and evaluating the effectiveness of the organisation’s work.
- Marketing – The professional communication and marketing material and presence to meet the organisation’s requirements.
- Fundraising – The execution of a professional fundraising plan, strategy and resources to raise required funds for the organisation.
The skills, resources and holistic support gained through an Atma Partnership enable an organisation to build a strong foundation. This helps them to increase their reach, effectively serving more children and young adults and maximizing their impact in the education sector. An Atma Partnership allows an organisation to achieve their set mission and vision, and grow beyond.
