Have you spent weeks writing funding proposals to have them ready to send as soon as you find a potential funder? Unfortunately, that’soften the wrong place to start.
Funders invest in organisations they trust. A proposal is simply the final step in a much longer relationship.
So how does fundraising start? Begin by identifying funders whose priorities match your work. Read their website, annual reports and recent grants. Check out their social media to see what they are
advocating for. Then ask:
- What issues do they care about?
- Where do they fund?
- Do they support organisations like ours?
Once you’ve done your homework, look for opportunities to connect. Attend networking events, webinars or community meetings where funders may be present. If you have a mutual contact, ask for an introduction.
When you do make contact, don’t immediately ask for funding. Instead, ask about their organisation, goals, and priorities. When you introduce your organisation, share your mission, share some stories of
hope, and then ask questions about their funding priorities.
The goal is to build a genuine connection. Listen carefully. Show that you understand their goals as much as your own.
A proposal sent to someone who already knows you and remembers your organisation is far more likely to receive attention than one sent cold.
Strong fundraising begins long before the application is submitted.