Fundación River Plate and BBVA held a new edition of Escuela de Formadores – virtual edition – to share experiences and discuss the importance of neighborhood clubs. This third episode featured panelists María Martha Deleonardis, Principal Manager of Responsible Business at BBVA; Daniel Gamboa, Director of Growth and Fundraising at Amnesty International Argentina; Mario Roset, Director of Donar Online; and was hosted by Lucía de la Vega, Executive Director of Fundación River Plate.These sessions aim to train those who train others and promote social integration by providing training for community leaders and sharing best practices for those tasked with the daily challenge of inspiring and educating children, young people, and adults.
At the beginning, Lucía de la Vega mentioned: “This is a topic that becomes fundamental for neighborhood clubs every time we travel to the provinces, and it’s financial education—understanding how to make clubs sustainable in the long term.”
For her part, María Martha explained: “The fundamental topic we promote at BBVA is financial education, and one of the basic tools is budget planning. By implementing a budget, clubs can gain a clear understanding of their financial situation. It allows them to distinguish between fixed expenses, such as rent, and variable expenses, which may fluctuate depending on the club’s monthly cash flow.”
Daniel Gamboa also explained: “It’s important to think about a constant cash flow. For example, having a monthly membership fee, no matter how small, allows you to maintain a steady income. It’s also crucial to involve more people in your club and not limit the idea of fundraising to just your immediate community. That can make a big difference.”
Mario Roset, from Donar Online, added: “Donar Online is about how a club can sustain itself in the long term. Today, technology allows us to test things in the short term—these tests are more immediate and let you gauge how engaging something is for your audience. The possibility of involving people who live abroad also represents an opportunity for support.”
María Martha also added: “It’s important for a neighborhood club not to feel alone—they need to realize that there are many organizations that can help. Building alliances is crucial. Part of this involves banking, which provides security and transparency. The funds raised are kept safe, and transparency ensures that in the event of an audit, everything is visibly available. Banking also facilitates obtaining insurance and making investments. If you manage a good budget, those funds can be invested to carry out larger projects.”
To conclude, Mario Roset explained: “Digital tools today allow supporters to pre-select whether they want their contributions to adjust according to the inflation index. Currently, 70% of people opt to do so, agreeing to support in line with inflation. That’s why it’s important to take the leap and embrace these tools.”
For her part, Lucía de la Vega concluded the meeting by saying: “One of the things that neighborhood clubs foster is relationships. They are spaces for building connections, socializing, and engaging—not only within the club but also beyond its borders. It’s about creating lasting bonds over time with both individuals and organizations.”
Full episode available at: https://youtu.be/CY4EuM1ug2I
