Can't Find Major Donors? Check these 5 places.

Which is easier for you?

I can tell you, they both involve considerable time, money and other resource investments and each has its advantages.

Depending on the size if your organization; the number of staff and volunteers on your team; your board members’ connectedness etc., one may work better for your organization than another.

Combining them is also a great option to get the best of both worlds but there is work to be done either way. 

To see results with major donors, you need meaningful one-on-one engagements beyond fundraising events. 

To see results with grants, you need a solid grant pipeline hat is aligned with your mission and a consistent approach to application and follow-up.

If you are leaning more towards donors than grants, then here are my top five places to find them.         

        .

Before you look far, look closer.

Sometimes small donors are small donors because they have never been targeted for special attention to get them to increase their giving.

Let's think about this: a donor that has been consistent with small donations is already sold on your mission and may be able to increase their donations - if they have the capacity. 

Here is how to turn them into major donors:

We all flee from the major donors that support the same organization year on year. Whenever my prospect research shows that the funder has funded only one organization for the last few years, I simply move onto the next.

However, you will also find a lot of major donors that spread their donations across many organizations that align with their interests. 

So don't be afraid to check out other non profits in your area of interest and geography. Research their board members, review their materials including annual reports, sign up for their email newsletters etc. to see who their major donors are. 

Approach their major donors and see if they are open to supporting other organizations like yours.

Your network including board members, volunteers, employees, program beneficiaries etc. do not themselves need to be wealthy. It may be enough if they are somehow connected to the major donors with the capacity to support you.

This is also a key function of your board - networking and connecting you to relevant people within the areas you serve - and they should be evaluated on their performance in this area.

Too often we are tempted to ignore those directly connected to us - who may know everyone in town -  in search of major donors we have zero connection with which can take ages.

Ask those closest to you, and ask them to ask their contacts, if they are passionate about your mission, you may be surprised at the results. 

Major donors are not typically waiting around to get solicited for funding. It starts with an interest in your mission. 

If you are not out there sharing inspiring stories about the difference you are making on social media, press releases, newsletters etc., how will you be found?

If you are already putting yourself out there but keep attracting small donors, it may be time to change your messaging to attract major donors. First, build an avatar of your major donor, and speak to only them in your content to increase your chances of attracting them.

Major donors, with capacity to support you, need to build interest and develop an affinity for the issues your organization is addressing and putting yourself out there with the right messaging can steer you in their direction.

5. Use RESEARCH TOOLS.

Research tools, both free and paid can be a great place to start finding major donors and also building a profile for them. Here are a few that I use for my clients.

Iwave which allows you to upload your member list and gives you information to understand who is more financially able to help you so you don't waste time. Think of it like wealth screening.

Inside Philanthropy which is great for deed dives and helping you figure out whether or not you have a chance with a prospect.

Instrumentl which analyzes 990s and shows you trends of median grants awarded and whether the grantees are new or old. This is helpful to figure out whether a funder only funds one organization over and over.

If you don't have a big budget, here are some free options: grantmakers, or cause iq. 

Major gifts involve a lot of time and commitment. They also involve a lot of “nos” especially if you are just starting out so pace yourself and stay the cause.