What are common building blocks of a project proposal?
If you have applied to more than one donor, you have probably noticed that each donor has their own requirements for submitting project proposals. And their own format. Both for the narrative part and for the budget. But if you look more closely, you can see there are...
How are fundraising and project design connected?
Many of the questions I receive are about fundraising. Where to find a donor? How to identify individuals who might like to contribute? How to get a grant? Etc. But I almost never get a question about project design. I don’t why, exactly. It is a pity because I think...
What not to do in fundraising?
I can write many posts (as I have done - and I will continue doing!) about what to do in fundraising. How to become visible. Where to look for donors. What to do to inspire trust. But this time I just want to share with you five examples of what not to do in...
What systems can help build trust with donors?
When we spoke about co-funding (and about avoiding double funding) I said that systems are key. You need to have systems in place to make sure you record and report all income and expenses properly and with integrity. Having such systems in place, will help you build...
What is co-funding and why is that not double funding?
My inbox flooded with messages after I wrote about submitting the same idea twice (or more). About continuing the fight for your idea to become reality instead of waiting for one donor to decide, then approaching another, maybe months later. So let me be clear. I do...
What you need to do after you reach out to a donor
Many nonprofits take a break from fundraising after they have sent out a request for support or a project proposal to a donor. I know the feeling. You have done something big and important, with a deadline perhaps. And you need to celebrate. You need a breather to...
How can you take care of yourself in fundraising?
These past weeks I have been talking a lot about fundraising. About looking for the right match in possible donors. About building relations with (potential) donors. About building know, like and trust with them. This is a long game, not a short one. It requires...
How can you build trust?
In my previous post I wrote about the importance of building relations with your donors to give them a chance to know you, like you and trust you. It is relatively easy to make sure they know what you are about. So that they can see if your mission aligns with their...
Fundraising key to success – building relations
Every time I receive a message with a link to a crowdfunding page – without accompanying text. Every time I receive a request for a donation addressed to ‘dear Sir’. And every time I receive a call for support from someone I never heard of before, writing on behalf of...
What is a good referee?
Lately, I noticed more donors are asking for referees or references. Either as part of the project application format or during the selection process itself. When asked to act as referee, I always decline if I feel I cannot be a good referee. So that begs the...