The Campbell Collaboration is seeking a new host institution. As well as being associated with a respected global brand, hosting Campbell would benefit the host in various ways, such as positive reputational effects, exposure and access to international research and policy networks, and as a new platform of fundraising.
The American Institutes for Research (AIR) has generously committed US$250,000 a year for three years (2022-24) to support the new host institution.
Click here to download the request for proposals document, including assessment criteria. Applications are due on 27 September 2021.
Answers to questions sent before 26 June are shown below.
Questions received, and their answers
1. Are you only looking for a new US based institution?
Answer: No, the host need not be physically located in the USA, but should retain Campbell’s non-profit status there.
2. Currently, the secretariat is spread through Canada, Norway, India and the UK. From reading several documents, it seems that the secretariat is hosted at the Norwegian Institute for Public Health (NIPH) and has an office in New Delhi. In relation to the current secretariat: What is the reason why the secretariat needs for a new host institution? Where does this recommendation emerge from? Is there any evaluation or similar document recommending this change?
Answer: Campbell has historically had a host which helped support core expenses. This situation ended in 2018 as a result of general Norwegian government cuts. The Campbell Board and management have explored various options, and believe a new institutional host is the only sustainable model for Campbell’s sustainability. Our current legal set up does not allow us to apply for certain sources of funding, which would be available if we were hosted in an academic institution.
3. Total expenses seem to amount to $US1.7 million; of which around a half are dedicated to “Salaries and benefits”; can you confirm that this is a reasonable estimate for the coming years? Or is there any factor that my change these figures significantly?
Answer: This figure is considerably higher than that required for the core secretariat, which is US$400-700,000 a year depending on the extent to which full time staff can be hired. The expenses are currently higher since: (i) they include the cost of Campbell South Asia, which will be an independent financial entity from mid-2022, and (ii) they include project-related expenditures for research projects undertaken or managed by the secretariat. How this portfolio of work will be managed in future will be discussed with shortlisted candidates to host Campbell.
4. There are several sources of income (e.g. the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation). From all donations:
a. What is the most recent figure available on income?
b. How much of this income would you consider secured for the next 3 to 5 years?
c. Is there any source of funding which cannot be used to finance the secretariat?
Answer: Audited accounts will be published shortly. There is no income secured to fund the new secretariat at present, with the possible exception of US$100,000 from the American Institutes for Research (AIR), depending on timing. There is project income, but that income needs to be used to pay project expenses.
5. Which donors or philanthropic organisations have you already approached and what are the results of this discussions? This is important in case we want to approach some of them, gain understanding on their positioning and also avoid waste of time.
Answer: Hewlett Foundation has given core support since 2015 and has indicated it will no longer do so, though may respond to ad hoc requests for smaller amounts (they are supporting this year’s conference). The Gates Foundation, Arnold Ventures and GiveWell have indicated that they will not provide core funding to Campbell, but never give up. W. T. Grant financed Campbell in its earliest years but not since. AIR has been the most consistent supporter, and we can assist in a discussion with the new host.
6. Given that currently the secretariat is present in several institutions, has there been any attempt to engage these institutions to fund secretariat expenses (there are not a lot of people and each institution could cover a relatively small share)? If not, why? If yes, why it didn’t work? (apart from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, that may be funding the NIPH position in the secretariat).
Answer: The NIPH positions were funded by the Norwegian government, but that support ended three years ago. There is no prospect at present that it will be renewed. The Global Development Network (New Delhi) has never been in a position to provide support. There is some possibility that some support may be available from the University of Ottawa to fund the current Editor in Chief in her position.
7. If the current secretariat actually spreads across several countries, what is the main “focus” of a single hosting institution? To have a co-opted CEO? To establish the administrative, legal and accounting systems consistent with the hosting country?
Answer: We believe a firm institutional base would be advantageous for fundraising. There are both advantages and disadvantages to a distributed model. We will discuss with shortlisted hosts their staffing plans, including retaining current staff.
8. Is the feeling that there should be in the future a deep review/reform of existing procedures in the secretariat to gain efficiencies or should we understand that the secretariat is basically fine as it is?
Answer: We are open to proposed organisational changes both in the secretariat and across the collaboration.
9. What is the feeling of the current secretariat members? Are most of them willing to continue despite the change of the CEO? Is there indifference? Is it likely that most of them will leave the secretariat anyway?
Answer: All staff (other than the CEO) would like to retain their current positions if possible.
10. Would you contemplate a “collegial” secretariat, i.e. having several related institutions (e.g. in the same country, or several faculties within a university), sharing responsibilities and risks in hosting and managing the secretariat?
Answer: Yes.
11. If we are shortlisted/selected, can there be an exploratory phase that would allow us to have extensive exchanges with Campbell bodies and stakeholders in order to reach a final decision from our side?
Answer: Yes.
12. In preparing our proposal, we may need additional information or discussions. Will there be anyone at Campbell able to give insights on future questions?
Answer: Yes. The CEO and President of the Board are both open to discussions with potential hosts. We will publish any general information (not specific to the host) on this website.
13. What are the content and format requirements for the proposals?
Answer: These are available in the revised request for proposals: click here.