2. Involve Your Board
When was the last time you sat down with each of your board members – individually – to ask them who was on their radar screen and who should be on yours? Your board likely has a great network… now is the time to start using it! (Be sure to read: How to Motivate Your Board to Raise More Money)
3. Ask Your Donors
When was the last time you called your donors (or met them, or e-mailed them) to thank them for their support, and asked them who else you should be calling? Your donors support you and feel like part of your team. Ask them to help you expand that team by introducing your organization to their friends and contacts.
4. Hold Non-Ask Events
One-on-one meetings can be intimidating for new prospects. Your organization should be holding a series of non-ask events throughout the year, and asking your friends and supporters to invite their contacts to come, have breakfast or lunch, and hear about your organization. Non-ask events are just that: non-ask… the fundraising asks will come later in the relationship.
5. Start Affinity Groups
Do you have a “Young Friends of…” group? How about a “Lawyers for…” or “Accountants for…” group? Affinity groups, comprised of people who share a similar age, location, or occupation, can be a great way to get new people involved in your non-profit fundraising efforts.
6. Cultivate Sneezers in Likely Bases of Support
Do you have a clear group of people who should be supporting your organization? Alumni of your school, survivors of a disease you are working to eradicate, members of your fraternal organization? Instead of targeting everyone in that group, target the “sneezers,” those people who have influence in the group and who, if they support you, will likely help bring others into the mix as well. (For more on using “sneezers,” read How to Make Your Fundraising Efforts Go Viral).
7. Public Relations Funnel
If you’re engaged in public relations efforts, don’t just put press stories out there and move on to the next. Be engaged, and create a funnel based on those PR efforts. When you place a story, shop it around… have your staff send it to people who might be interested, even if they haven’t been in contact with your group before.
8. Volunteers
Do you have people who volunteer with your organization? If so, they’re a great source, not only for future development efforts but also a great source for new prospects. Treat them like you do your donors… and ask them to help you meet new people from their own contact lists. They are already part of your team; ask them to help grow that team. If your organization doesn’t have volunteer opportunities, create them… people often want to get involved with their time and talent before they get involved with their treasure.
Bonus: Promote Your Efforts On Google with a $10k/Month Grant
You may already know about Google for Nonprofits and all the tools that it offers to organizations like yours. One of the most valuable tools that Google offers to nonprofits is the Google Ad Grant program. After verifying eligibility and completing your application, you will receive a monthly budget of $10,000 to spend on the same ad space that businesses are paying top dollar for. You can use your ads to promote volunteer opportunities, events, fundraising campaigns and deadlines, and much more. Use your creativity to place ads that will get new people to join your organization’s community. Get started with Google for Nonprofits today.
