3 Tips for Identifying Funders

Nonprofit success depends on many factors, not least of which is finding the right donors to support your mission. 

Too many smaller or start-up nonprofits approach the search for funders with a broad brush. But there’s no point in spending precious resources and your scarce time applying for funding that you’re unlikely to get. (Psst…if you’re managing a new nonprofit, check out this blog post we did last year.)

Identifying the best funders to invest in your mission requires quite a bit of research.

1) First of all, look back through publicly available records (newspaper articles, government websites, funder blogs) to see if there are any projects similar to yours, or that serve the same community that you do. Organizations that funded those projects may be a good match for you. You might also check out this post we wrote last year, “Guided by Need or Guided by Funding.”

2) Next, put the word out! Word-of-mouth can be one of the best resources in this industry. Funders have their own networks too, so don’t be afraid of asking a funder you’ve had a relationship with in the past if he or she can recommend someone who might be interested in your mission. Don’t forget about social media—Twitter and LinkedIn are fantastic resources for finding an introduction to just the right person. 

3) Ask for help. One of the services we provide is matching donors and funders. We also help nonprofits develop their strategic plans and fundraising campaigns so that they are more likely to attract the right donors and funders. Contact us to find out if we can help you!