While charities and associations operate within the not-for-profit sphere, it requires more than effort and goodwill to accomplish all of the good work that nonprofits do to create a positive impact in their service communities. Nonprofits need financial support as well, and most charities and associations seek monies from a variety of sources to fully fund all of their operations and programs.

Donors are one of the most important sources of funding for nonprofits. The following is a list of ideas to help your NFP be able to find and recruit donors and add them to your list of supporters.

Strengthen Your Presence Online

Before prospective donors support your cause, they first have to know that your organisation exists. An active online presence will help you to spread awareness about your organisation. The internet erases traditional boundaries such as distance, and, makes it possible to reach people all over the world without requiring a considerable investment of money to do so, allowing you to reach as many people as possible.

In addition to creating a website and social media profiles, focus on using your online messages to build a strong, positive brand identity for your organisation. Individuals will then have a better idea about what it is that you do, and what problem or issues you are trying to solve, as soon as they hear your name.

Another key area that your online efforts should address is that your online presence should be centred around building an online community of supports and stakeholders. Your online presence should be designed in such a way that you are creating an actual community, a virtual destination where people can go to for news related to your cause.

Finally, you should streamline your online platform so that it is easy for donors and other supporters to take action directly from your site. Have you personally ever tried to donate to your NFP directly from your website? Is the process fast and simple, or is it a bit of a headache? The easier that it is to donate online, the easier it will be to recruit supporters and grow your donor list. NFPs should also ensure it is easy for donors to sign up to receive alerts and newsletters by placing a sign-up link directly above the fold on your website.

Get Your Whole Team on Board and Involved in Recruiting Donors

Another way to find and recruit donors is to not rely solely on your online presence but to get your board more involved in the process of donor recruitment. Encourage your board members, as well as other members of your staff, and your volunteers to all work together as a team towards raising awareness about your cause and asking for donations.

Ask your team to reach out to their circle of friends and other connections to ask for donations and advocate for other forms of support.

Encourage Greater Donor Engagement

Whether you find your donors via your online presence or through your team’s advocacy and social networks, look for ways to engage with your current roster of donors and focus on building your relationships with them.

Always be on the lookout for opportunities to meet with donors and always express your appreciation for their financial support of your NFP. Be careful to never mix an expression of gratitude with a request for additional donations in your messages. Look for ways to provide recognition to your donors, as well surprise them with perks, rewards and other incentives for their continued support.

In addition to giving thanks, make sure that your donors understand how essential they are to your service community and advancing your mission. Always take the time to demonstrate the impact made by their contribution.

Help your donors feel more connected to your organisation by asking for their feedback about your service projects as well as your fundraising efforts. By seeking their input, and including them in your NFP’s plans, you strengthen your bond with your donors and encourage them to become more involved, engaged and emotionally invested in your organisation and its work.

Segment and Customise Messages

Do you know who you most loyal supporters are among your list of current donors? Apply segmentation to your database of supporters to help you identify your best donors.

Define the key motivating factors that prompt your donors to give to your organisation and customise your communication to personalise your greeting as well as target specific segments of your donors with messages that will appeal to their particular demographic.

Always keep your messages personal. While you may only connect digitally in the virtual world, your words should remain warm, personal and have a human touch. Focus on telling your donors and other supporters positive, uplifting stories and send messages that emphasise just what is possible with their support.

Look at your messages from a donor’s perspective and use a calendar to plan out when you will send messages such as acknowledgements and letters of appreciation to newsletters, updates and alerts. It is vital to acknowledge gifts and offer a formal word of thanks promptly. You should also focus on communicating frequently enough to keep your donors updated and engaged. Just be careful to not go overboard and write too often during the year as this can be overwhelming to many donors and others who support your work.