Is your Cause funding-worthy? Often, small nonprofits are unable to convince donors why they deserve funding. Some tend to assume others know about their Cause, so there's not much to say, and their presentations end up drab. With so many similar causes reaching out to the same pool of donors, here are six elements to present your Cause in a better way.
Showcase Impact: A funding-worthy cause should have a clear and measurable impact on the community or issue it addresses. Funders who want to see tangible results from their investment and cause that can demonstrate a track record of success or a clear plan for achieving impact are the ones who receive funding.
Drive Urgency: Causes that address urgent or pressing issues, such as humanitarian crises or environmental disasters, will be more likely to attract funding. Funders may be more motivated to give when there is a sense of urgency or immediate need.
Highlight Innovation: Causes that take an innovative or novel approach to addressing a problem attract funding. Funders are interested in supporting new and creative ideas that have the potential to create positive change.
Detail Collaboration: Demonstrating collaboration and partnerships with other organizations or stakeholders will be more attractive to funders. Funders will be more interested in supporting causes that can leverage partnerships to achieve greater impact.
Prove Sustainability: Causes with plans for long-term sustainability and impact will be more attractive to funders. Funders want to support causes that can create lasting change and have a plan for continuing their work beyond a single funding cycle.
Draw Alignment: Funders are more likely to support causes that align with their values and priorities. A clear connection to a funder's mission or focus area will be more attractive to the donor.
These are some of the most common asks from donors when giving to charities. Network for Good surveyed 3,000 donors and found the top seven reasons donors give to nonprofits.
Hiring a Communications professional will make a big difference for small nonprofits and bring the necessary attention to donors, volunteers and partners.