Around the world, CSOs are finding competitive advantages in raising local resources and mobilizing citizen support. Their competitive edge lies in the creation of institutions that are more secure and sustainable than those CSOs depending on dwindling international aid and insufficient foundation support.

Is mobilizing local resources -- generating income, developing cost recovery schemes, even starting a business -- a safe, quick, fix? Of course not. It is no less risky than a business start-up and requires no less time, energy, and resources. Yet some CSOs embark on such an initiative without being as prepared as their private sector counterparts.

Of course, this isn’t the case for all CSOs. A few are exploring what private sector models have to offer. These few are the successful ones and it is these few who are becoming leaders in their field. They recognize that it is just as important to learn the ins and outs of business planning and marketing in the citizen sector as it is in the private sector.

The business plan competition is an outgrowth of Center for Social Entrepreneurship in Sao Paulo – a partnership between McKinsey & Co. and Ashoka.  The competition was designed to foster greater success of local resource mobilization strategies through more thorough planning in the areas of marketing and business development. The competition involved intensive training and mentoring by both MBA students and professionals from the international consulting firm McKinsey & Co.

In the final step of this training, CBI works with McKinsey consultants to select finalists who, working with their mentors, develop business plans, including a financial analysis, an organizational diagnostic, and a marketing strategy. From the finished business plans, the panel selected the best business plan.  These organizations then receive seed capital to launch their strategies.