Non-profits, particularly those working in social services, often operate on a tight budget. Many bring in just enough to continue operations while paying their staff underwhelming salaries.
PR Newswire highlights data that shows that government grants keep most non-profits alive. Apparently, over 14,015 non-profits would exhaust their cash reserves within 3 months if government grants were to stop. That would trigger a domino effect that would wipe out 2.8 million jobs.
However, it doesn’t have to be this way. There are so many opportunities available, but it feels like getting approved for funding is rare. In this article, let’s look at some strategies or approaches that are critical to increasing your chances of success.
#1. Be on the lookout for Relatable Stories
If you were to ask a struggling non-profit how they define success, they’ll probably want to show you charts and reports of all their achievements. People have convinced themselves that the only thing that matters is hard numbers. “We served 2,000 meals last quarter!” That’s nice, but if you haven’t recognized it yet, stories matter more.
One study on GoFundMe campaigns found that only 22% of campaigns reached their fundraising goals. However, when using ‘loyalty framing,’ which consisted of appeals like “support this family” or “help our community,” donations and comments increased in size and number.
You can take a similar approach too. Your team on the ground will know the struggles of people in need. Pick one and follow it. Present the case of one individual, their struggle, how they went from being homeless to now running their own business, and your role in that transformation.
Then zoom out to show that this person is just one of the 2,000 that your non-profit has helped. Then zoom out further and point out that many are still in need. In this manner, you are painting a story. Donors are much more likely to help when they can emotionally connect with the impact you are creating in the world.
#2. Don’t Be Afraid of Good Presentation
This is another critical aspect to think about. Many non-profits hesitate to spend on presentations because it feels frivolous. After all, it’s money that can be spent to help someone. However, even if presentation isn’t a priority for you, you have to understand the implications.
If it seems like your entire organization is amateur, how would donors ever feel like trusting you with a sizable donation? If you’re unsure where to start, a good place is your website because you don’t even need to spend a lot.
As Hocoos explains, there are AI-powered builders that can generate entire websites for you in a matter of minutes. All you do is answer a few questions related to your preferences, and AI does the rest.
If you have more to spend, perhaps invest in a more professional office space, especially if donors in your field prefer in-person visits. The important part is letting go of the stigma that presentation is a waste of money. After all, if it leads to better chances of funding, it’s worth it in the long run.
#3. Go Beyond Your Usual Donor Pool
You know what’s worse than not finding any donors? It’s losing your current ones. This is a possibility because many non-profits latch on to the same donors and lean on them every year. Eventually, they’re going to feel fatigued, and you may see your wells of funding dry up.
Not to panic, but this could be a good learning opportunity for you. Start branching out and try those options you felt were challenging to get. Corporate CSR teams can be great donors, especially if you find ones within your niche. For instance, if your focus is on clean water, then perhaps reach out to F&B or other industries that tend to affect water quality in some way.
Likewise, stop using outdated tactics. NonProfit PRO highlights one strategy used by Lifehouse, an organization helping people with developmental disabilities. Facing a funding crisis, they used a data-driven model and adjusted ask amounts based on the financial capacity of their donors. This yielded a 27% increase in year-end donations for them.
At the end of the day, remember that funding isn’t a one-and-done deal. As a non-profit, you should always be working toward finding reliable donors to expand your operations and not remain stagnant.
It will be hard at times, but let the pressure to find funding drive you to experiment and find new strategies.
