How to Get Private Non-Profit Donations
Many non-profit groups meet their budgets with private donations. Fundraisers call this kind of donation 'individual giving.' Wealthy individuals give directly to agencies whose work they support through this kind of philanthropy. The group must usually be a registered non-profit and have operations or an operations plan in place. You will work hard to develop private donor relationships, but they can be fruitful.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer
- E-mail connection
- Philanthropy database access
- Subscriptions to philanthropy magazines
- Newspapers
- Telephones
- Budget for a small gathering
- Audio visual presentation of your project
Instructions
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Go to a library of philanthropy such as the Foundation Center Library in New York City, which can be accessed online. Such a library keeps extensive records and databases of philanthropic donations of every kind. Learn to use this resource to find potential donors or study those you are thinking of approaching. Read the "Chronicle of Philanthropy" magazine. Keep abreast of who is giving private donations in your community.
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Select an individual to approach for funding. Base your decision on her past donation history and the kind of groups she likes to fund. Prepare a plan of how much you wish to ask for, what the funds will be used for and how your group will show accountability.
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Write a letter or e-mail to the donor. Introduce yourself and your organization briefly. Mention the project you want to fund, but don't ask yet. Say that you noticed she had once shown interest in a similar project and that you wanted to tell her about your organization's work in the same area.
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Plan a small gathering to tell prospective donors about your project. It is best if they have some connection to one another. This can be a shared interest in projects like yours, a shared experience in life or membership in the same special interest group. Plan a simple affair, like a wine and cheese party with a presentation, or a tour of a project with coffee and sweets. Send e-mail or written invitations to the event.
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E-mail or call the prospective donor before the event to find out if she plans to come. If someone else she knows will be at the event tell her so. Say you will look forward to telling her about your project and hearing what she thinks of it.
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Introduce yourself in person to the donor if she comes to the get together. Tell her you are happy that she has come and pay special attention to her during the event. Acknowledge her past work. Introduce her to other prospective donors and people working on the project. Make a funding plea to all of the guests at the get together.
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Call the prospective donor a few days after the event. Thank her for coming. Talk about the project. Ask her if you could meet with her to discuss if she might be willing to help fund the project or if she can suggest potential donors. If she rejects you tell her you will keep her informed about the project and thank her for her support. If she is willing to meet you to discuss funding, you will either be funded or you will have a relationship with someone you can ask next time.
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Tips & Warnings
Begin the process of approaching donors long before you need the money. It takes time to develop the relationship.
References
- Photo Credit signing check image by jovica antoski from Fotolia.com
