4 Fundraising Tips to Make the Process Easier

In February, we focused on fundraising in our nonprofit trainings.  I guess, we should have called this Fundraising February! There are many aspects we spent time learning about this month from the 'ask', to grant writing, to navigating state and federal grant opportunities, to capital campaigns.

Many of you joined one of these sessions and some of you participated in a few.  We heard more than once feedback letting us know participants believed fundraising felt 'less scary' after a session.  I am not sure we could ask for a more encouraging response!

In this blog post, I will summarize a few of the themes these sessions covered. These takeaways are important reminders for all of us as we navigate fundraising year-round. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to strengthen your approach, keeping these in mind can make the process feel less overwhelming and more doable.

1. Read all of the details.

Before deciding to apply for a grant or contacting a funder, do your research.  Make sure you 'fit' their criteria. To determine if you align, consider:

• Mission alignment

• Eligibility requirements

• Reporting expectations

• Timeline

2. Review your internal controls.

Make sure you can provide what the funder requires. Do you need to build out your fiscal policies and procedures first? Can you track and report grant funds separately? Are your budget and financial statements up to date? Taking time to strengthen your systems now can set you up for success.

3. Build relationships.

It is often best to reach out for a conversation before an ask. Think about who you already have a relationship with that can help make an introduction for you. It might be a volunteer, a board member, or a committee member who can make the connection.

4. Prepare your organizational documents.

Most grants, funders, and donors will have common documents for you to submit.  Spend some time getting organized. Do you have your most up-to-date budget, 990, board list, statistics, annual report, etc. ready to share?

Fundraising can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, it gets easier. Taking the time to do your research, strengthen your internal processes, build relationships, and stay organized can make a big difference. These are things we can all keep in mind as we navigate fundraising throughout the year.

We hope you’ll join us for March’s Nonprofit Essentials, where a panel of local experts will share their tips on building stronger partnerships with funders!