To start implementing your fundraising strategy, you can begin identifying potential donor agencies. One of the best sources of donor agencies is this website itself where you can look for latest funds for NGOs and a list of foundations.
Remember that different donor agencies have different causes and issues to fund. So you cannot contact all of them with funding requests. You need to identify those that fund the cause your organization works with (it should reflect in your mission statement). If your NGO works for prevention of HIV and AIDS, then you cannot seek funding from United States Institute of Peace because it only funds peace and conflict resolution projects. Similarly, if your NGO is based in Africa, you cannot seek funding from The Asia Foundation that supports projects only in Asia.
Make a list of donor agencies that have similar causes and those that fund in your country or project area. Then you can start contacting them one by one. Again, many of these donor agencies will not be interested in receiving full proposals. You only need to send a concept note or a letter of inquiry explaining briefly about your organization and what it wants to do. Since fundraising is a long-term activity, you cannot expect immediate response from donor agencies. It’s a continuous process that you need to follow carefully.
For individual donations, you can start listing out businesses in your area that may be interested in supporting your cause. Local businesses will be initially reluctant to fund but if they know about your organization through your brochure and website, then they may think of donating something. The same process can be adopted for mobilizing in-kind support from public.
Local and international volunteers can be of great value to the organization. If your organization’s work is well-publicized, then local volunteers will keep turning up to offer free services. International volunteers can be very useful as they can provide professional skills to your organization and they can also help in raising funds.
