Financial Resilience in a Low-Resource Context: An Action Research Study on a Malaysian Children's Home

This study addresses the critical challenge of financial instability in a Malaysian children's home, Pusat Jagaan KK, which heavily relies on founder funding and sporadic donations. We employed a qualitative action research design, guided by Resource Dependency and Social Capital theories, to develop and implement a sustainable funding framework. The research was conducted in two cycles: one focused on a structured social media strategy and a second on cultivating corporate sponsorships. Findings from the first cycle show a significant increase in public visibility and a broadened donor base through digital storytelling. The second cycle resulted in securing stable, monthly corporate sponsorships, though it highlighted the critical importance of consistent, personalized relationship management. The study demonstrates that a targeted, iterative approach can successfully shift a small non-profit from a state of deep resource dependency to a more diversified and resilient funding model. It provides a practical roadmap for similar organizations to leverage digital outreach and strategic relationship building to achieve long-term sustainability. Theoretically, the research offers a granular, real-world validation of how Resource Dependency and Social Capital theories can inform and drive positive organizational change.