HIV/AIDS is still an important public health issue in Vietnam and other developing countries. In Vietnam, Community-based organizations (CBOs) were officially considered as the key partners to approach vulnerable groups at high risks of HIV infection since 2010. Funds for HIV/AIDS prevention and control are facing difficulties due to rapid reduction by international organizations, while domestic funding has not yet met the demand, especially funding for prevention and communication activities.
The 03 typical and representative CBOs (G3VN, Smile and Strong Ladies) were chosen in our cross-sectional descriptive study. The electronic questionnaire was about fundraising reports over 3 years (2017-2019), organization structure (staff, mission, strategies) and the advantages and disadvantages in fundraising. Funds received over the year increased in total, but unstable in each projects. To have more funds, CBOs must invest time and money to have professional staff in fundraising and writing proposals. To meet requirement and survive, some CBO shifted to social enterprises and faced many difficulties in laws when being treated like profit companies. In Vietnam context, the key challenges which affect the role of funding are including: 1) Legal status; 2) Small scale; 3) Capacity of fundraising (finding calls, writing competence proposals); 4) Fewer funds on HIV/AIDS.
G3VN (code CBO-1, 15 core staff and with professional fundraiser staff) is one of the strong community support organizations in Vietnam established in 2011, specializing in providing preventive health care services for HIV/STIs, mental health, and sustainable livelihoods for disadvantaged communities in Vietnam. G3VN stipulates that at least 10 community initiatives are designed by G3VN itself and send to local and international donors to raise funds. Community initiatives will be implemented specifically for MSM, TG, MSW, and LGBT youth who use drugs and people with HIV.
G3VN (CBO-1) for the gay community changed itself to a social enterprise by running Galant General Clinic specializing in diagnosing HIV infection, treatment of sexually-transmitted diseases. It also pledged to set aside 51% of its profits for supporting the gay community.
