At Bright, we partner with organisations that are driving meaningful change. Our recent collaboration with the Southern African Institute for Health Policy and Research (SAICRIO) is a strong example of how strategic fundraising can unlock long-term impact in public health.
SAICRIO is widely recognised as a trusted research partner, bridging the gap between data, policy, and practice. With a strong foundation in applied research, programme evaluation, and evidence translation, the organisation has consistently contributed to improving public health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations.
However, like many research-driven institutions, SAICRIO faced key challenges in scaling its impact. Fundraising efforts were often reactive, internal capacity was stretched, and critical narratives around partnerships and community impact were not fully articulated. These constraints limited the organisation’s ability to fully capitalise on its strong reputation and growing donor interest.
Over a three-year strategic horizon, we worked closely with SAICRIO to design a comprehensive Fundraising Strategy aimed at strengthening financial sustainability and positioning the organisation as a leading Centre of Excellence in Public Health.
Our approach was highly collaborative and insight-driven. We conducted deep dives into SAICRIO’s operations, partnerships, and donor landscape to ensure the strategy was both ambitious and grounded in reality.
The resulting strategy focused on three key priorities:
A critical part of our work was helping SAICRIO clearly articulate its unique value.
We refined its institutional positioning to emphasise its role in driving public health and policy change through rigorous, applied research—while also highlighting its commitment to mentoring early-career researchers and building sustainable local capacity.
To support this, we developed a suite of donor-facing tools, including:
These assets enable SAICRIO to communicate its impact more effectively and engage donors with clarity and confidence.
The strategy provides SAICRIO with a clear roadmap to build a more diversified, resilient funding base—one that supports long-term growth and deeper impact across Zambia and the wider region.
By investing in systems, partnerships, and people, SAICRIO is now better positioned to:
This partnership reflects what we do best at Bright: working alongside organisations to turn strong ideas into actionable strategies that drive measurable results.
We’re proud to support SAICRIO on its journey to becoming a Centre of Excellence in Public Health—and we look forward to seeing the lasting impact of this work in the years ahead.
