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5 fundraising tips for foundations
Fundraising for foundations can seem daunting, but with the right knowledge and approach, you can be very successful. Time to get started with finding local funds, increasing your visibility on social media, and involving donors in the foundation.
Fundraising for foundations
As a foundation, you want to raise enough money to achieve the foundation's objectives. That is not always easy, which is why in practice, as a foundation, you often have to rely on fundraising. That can be a challenge if you do not have much experience with it. But in the end, it is a matter of trying and just doing it - discovering what suits your foundation and raising that money in small amounts.
1. Don't forget local funds
A common mistake is to focus (too) much on national, large funds. The most well-known funds are listed in the fund book, but there are still a lot missing. A little research into local and regional funds can do wonders! It will take some time, but you often have a better chance with these smaller funds. You can find them by, for example, searching the local and regional newspaper for articles that contain clues, such as that the local museum has received an amount of €4000 from fund X.
2. Be visible on social media
When you are visible, people are familiar with the work, activities and mission of your foundation. They then know what the foundation stands for and what you are trying to achieve. They also know that you are actually doing activities and that they can possibly participate or contribute to them. Visibility of your foundation is therefore valuable! It ensures that people want to get to know you and trust you – and therefore they are more likely to support you.
Use social media for this. Social media is a powerful fundraising tool for foundations. It is important to build an online presence and be active on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. Use these platforms to spread the message of your foundation, increase people's involvement and to encourage people to donate. Regularly use catchy and inspiring content to appeal to and involve people.
You do not have to manage your social accounts completely yourself. By entering into partnerships with influencers you can increase your reach enormously.
3. Deliver a clear and compelling message
(Online) fundraising for your foundation often takes a lot of time and energy. Invest in writing a good plan and telling your story. It is important that your foundation has a clear and convincing message that appeals to potential donors. Make sure that your message emphasizes the mission and vision of the foundation and shows what impact your foundation can have on the world. Also make sure that you communicate the message in a simple and understandable way, so that people can easily understand why they should donate.
4. Involve donors in your foundation
To retain donors and increase their engagement with your foundation, it is important to make them feel like they are part of a community working towards a common goal. Communicate regularly with your donors and keep them informed about the progress of your foundation. For example, send newsletters with updates on projects, successes and challenges. But also personal messages such as thank yous, congratulations and birthday wishes can help to build a bond with your donors. With tools to fully support the donor journey, you can automate much of this communication.
In addition, organize special events for donors, such as an exclusive dinner or tour, to thank them for their contribution. By involving donors in your foundation and making them feel like they are part of a community working towards a common goal, they will be more likely to donate again and increase their contribution. This way of fundraising has a positive effect on your foundation and the online community you can build.
5. Collaborate with other organizations
Find partnerships with other organizations that have the same goals as your foundation for your fundraising. By working together, you can join forces and have more impact. In addition, you can also use each other's networks and expertise. By organizing events or campaigns together, you can reach more people and raise more funds.
Fundraising for Foundations: Be Patient
Good fundraising takes time that you have to invest in your foundation. Most results only become visible after some time. When you do more for the visibility of your foundation, your communication with donors and ensure good project plans and applications and invest time in this, the results will come automatically.
