In the heart of Medellín, an organization dedicated to uplifting vulnerable communities faced a tough challenge – financial instability. With dwindling international funding and inconsistent donations, the organization's sustainability was in question, even as they sought to expand their impact through new projects like the Niñez en Familia expansion and the ABC Project aiming to provide educational assistance to 7 children with disabilities in two disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Our team was tasked with developing and implementing a solution to strengthen Suenos y Huellas' financial stability and long-term capacity. We identified two primary objectives:

1. Develop a replicable fundraising model: Create a pilot event that could generate revenue and serve as a template for future fundraising initiatives.
2. Increase organizational capacity: Enhance Suenos y Huellas' visibility, reach, and potential for international collaboration.

The Suenos Festival: A Multifaceted Approach to Fundraising and Engagement

To achieve our objectives, we organized the Suenos Festival, a fundraising event hosted at the Suenos y Huellas facility. This event incorporated several key elements:

• Engaging Activities for Children: Five volunteers from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB) designed and led educational and entertaining activities for children aged 5-11, aligning with Suenos y Huellas' mission and providing a positive experience for the community.
• Hybrid Event Model: We live-streamed the Suenos Festival on YouTube, expanding the reach beyond in-person attendees and increasing awareness among a broader audience.
• Promotional Materials and Outreach: We created visually appealing posters, informative PDFs, and identified potential university partners to promote Suenos y Huellas' work to an international audience and cultivate future collaborations.
• Expanding Digital Presence: Recognizing the importance of global visibility, we established a presence for Suenos y Huellas on LittleRedBook, a popular Chinese social media platform, to tap into a new demographic for potential support.

Project Outcomes and Reflections

The Suenos Festival was successfully executed, generating immediate revenue and laying the groundwork for a sustainable fundraising model. The event also yielded several key outcomes:

• Increased Visibility and Awareness: The festival, coupled with our promotional efforts and expanded online presence, successfully broadened Suenos y Huellas' reach and introduced their work to new audiences.
• Strengthened Community Engagement: The event fostered a sense of community and collaboration, bringing together volunteers, staff, and beneficiaries in a shared experience.
• International Collaboration: The partnership with UPB volunteers demonstrated the potential for international collaboration in supporting Suenos y Huellas' mission.

On a personal level, this project provided invaluable experience in project management, cross-cultural collaboration, and social impact strategy. The opportunity to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly UPB volunteers, enriched my understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing organizations like Suenos y Huellas.

Moving forward, the Suenos Festival model, combined with ongoing efforts to cultivate international partnerships and expand their online presence, offers a promising path towards financial stability and increased capacity for Suenos y Huellas, enabling them to continue their critical work in supporting vulnerable communities in Medellín.