4 tips to secure supporters for your non-profit organization

It’s important to stand out to attract audiences and supporters
Learn about the different types of donors and how to attract them to support your non-profit organization

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 believes that the non-profit sector is vital to helping develop the economy and community, and it aims to raise the sector’s contribution to GDP from less than 1% to 5%. Without a balance between public and private sectors, Saudi Arabia would not have been able to reach its current level of success. Non-profits help create jobs, influence policy, and are active on many levels in society. As such, they are an integral part of any thriving society and economy. 

 

Many non-profit organizations are in constant need of supporters and donors to keep progressing and developing the way they work and accomplishing their goals. With that in mind, The National Center for Nonprofit Sector was established with the aim of developing and maximizing the impact of the non-profit sector on both social and economic levels.

 

If you want to know the best ways of attracting and gaining donors for your non-profit organization, it's important to first identify the types of donors and the best way to address each type. This will help you to eventually gain their long-term support and secure donations for your non-profit organization.

 

What are the different types of donors?

According to Donor Box, the following categories are considered to be the most common types of donors. They should be targeted and addressed differently based on the goal of the non-profit organization: 

 

1. Individual donors

Individual donors are an important part of the early stages of the fundraising process because they provide a way for organizations to gauge their success and to continue to generate interest among prospective and new donors. 

 

2. Major donors

Harness this untapped potential. Major donors are the main contributors for non-profits and they usually start as new or prospective donors. You can turn these prospects from individual donors into major donors, which will enrich your non-profit organization’s future. Consider setting up a donor cultivation program in order to effectively manage the influx of new potential major donors that your organization is going to experience throughout the years.

 

3. Corporate donors

It's not uncommon for corporations to get involved with charity work. It could be because they care about the cause or because the non-profit organization offered exceptional marketing opportunities that were just too good to pass up. Today, customers are often more demanding; they want to know that the company they do business with supports the communities in which they live. Non-profits have a great opportunity to take advantage of this affinity by recruiting donors who also share their values and goals.


4. Foundations 

Foundations are also non-profit organizations established by families or companies, and offer grants to those in need. They provide funding for projects within their areas of interest, which can be anything from education to medical research. These donors will only provide grants to non-profit organizations within the context of programs that address issues they care about.


4 tips to secure supporters for your non-profit organization

Whether your mission statement is to advocate equality, protect wildlife, or service the underprivileged, there are a few things your non-profit can do to grab people's attention and win their hearts. Here are a few examples of how your non-profit organization can stand out in order to attract audiences and donors: 


1. Craft a touching story

In order to succeed, it’s important to start with a captivating and moving story. Messaging is one of the most essential parts of organization and can help people connect with your non-profit. Start by finding a powerful story, preferably one that resonates with your mission, core values, and target audience. This story is the first step in securing potential donors. 

 

For your story to be compelling, think about the work that got you started: The reason why your organization was founded. Why is this work important? How does this mission relate to the people affected by it? What would happen if you stopped doing this important work?


2. Consider the power of design

In order to attract donors and keep them engaged and entertained, a beautiful, unique design is essential. Since we're increasingly exposed to an overload of content these days, people only have a few minutes to browse your website or email. When you are designing your website or any promotional material, make sure to prioritize design to capture the attention of your audience.

 

3. Showcase your personality 

You should not only focus on how hard you've worked and what your mission is, but also try to attract supporters and donors through showing the team’s personality with a spirit of positivity and sense of humor. For instance, you can share a funny incident that has happened during work. This can delight both current and potential donors, leading to positive emotional associations with your organization that promote loyalty over the long term.

 

4. Get creative with your campaigns

Your team is the best place to think of ideas, so get a group together to make sure your next campaign has some great fundraising options. Ideas out of context can be really effective, so make sure you explore all different possibilities to gain support and secure potential donors.


If you're a non-profit organization that deals with education, philanthropy and development in general, or is working to solve local community problems, these strategies should help you. Be certain that by being dedicated and embracing creativity, you’ll be able to gain support from your community, expand your reach, and connect with new donors. 

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