by
Mark Sutcliffe , Docente - Environmental Science - Center for Global Education , Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola
Depending on where you are in the world and prevailing utility rates, I once heard of a clever business plan which could be applied to the context of NGO's in the form of a social enterprise. They would enter into agreements with companies to modernise their facilities, with the only obligation of companies being to continue paying the same rate, whilst the NGO's pocket any difference for a long enough period to recoup initial investment costs and a reasonable profit, with an eventual handover to participating organisations. Whilst there is certainly risk which needs to be appropriately managed in the plan, a careful selection of partners and structuring of contracts should mitigate these risks.
