Funding support for the SAMAB Cooperative may be categorized as follows:
The SAMAB Cooperative Executive Committee is charged with generating funds and in-kind services to plan and implement the program. These funds and in-kind support generally come from the local managers and/or their regional offices. Since many of the Executive Committee members are local managers, they have willingly supported the program/projects because they have recognized the value of cooperation, coordination, and integration. It should be noted that no new or additional funds have been provided to the local managers because of their participation; rather they see the SAMAB program as an effective way to identify and address local and regional issues that reach beyond the mandate and scales of their respective agencies. SAMAB cooperation allows them to take an ecosystem approach to identifying and addressing problems facing the region.
Support, both financial and in-kind, has grown as the program has matured,; but local managers have limited ability to redirect funds and personnel. Gaining the support of regional and national agency administrators to commit time, attention, and money to support SAMAB efforts has limited its effectiveness in addressing a larger variety of regional issues. However, as the program has grown in stature and recognition, regional administrators and other agencies have increasingly provided support.
SAMAB still lacks a reliable financial base on long-term basis. This limits its ability to undertake activities that reach beyond the current budget cycle of local managers. Nevertheless, it has found ways to undertake a number of research and education projects that better inform the public and encourage better management practices.
The SAMAB Foundation will help raise funds, but to date it has not been successful in raising enough funds to significantly support regional projects, needed staff, and administrative expenses. The funds that the Foundation has raised have been used to support programs/projects; but much more is needed. The Foundation is working to attract more private sector partners and to involve local people more directly in SAMAB activities.