| Many small nonprofit organizations start out | | | | money and some will not, but when you're starting |
| fundraising with grass-roots activities like bake sales | | | | from scratch, this is another good source of names. |
| and car washes. At some point, the organization | | | | 3. Every time you're speaking to a group or just |
| must graduate to more sophisticated fundraising | | | | representing your organization in a group of people, |
| techniques to survive and grow. | | | | ask for those who'd like to be on your mailing list. |
| A more formalized fundraising program includes | | | | Even if you only get a few takers, it's worthwhile. |
| establishing an annual fund and raising money from | | | | That's a few more names you can add to your list. |
| donors who give because they believe in the work | | | | 4. Be creative. Think about places where your best |
| you are doing, not because they get something in | | | | prospects are likely to gather and then get in there |
| return. Here are some things you can do to find | | | | with them. I worked with a domestic violence shelter |
| those first donors: | | | | once and we exhibited at a women's expo. We gave |
| 1. Ask your Board members to write letters to | | | | out information and signed people up to volunteer or |
| people they know asking for a donation to the | | | | to be on our newsletter. We came away from a |
| organization. This can play out a couple of several | | | | two-day event with several hundred new names. |
| different ways. They can each do their own thing or | | | | Once you have people on your list, take good care |
| you can write the letter for them and they supply | | | | of them because you don't want them to leave. |
| the addresses. Fundraising is based on relationships, | | | | Don't inundate them with appeals. Make sure to |
| and these should be some of the strongest | | | | respond to gifts promptly with sincere appreciation. |
| relationships you have. | | | | Invite them for a tour of your organization and be |
| 2. If you have volunteers in your organization, add | | | | purposeful in building relationships with your new |
| them to your list of names. Some volunteers will give | | | | donors. |