what is the best way to get contributions for a non-profit the 1st time?

Question

I have created a non-profit that helps the indigent and migrants with day to daY problems, but I am about to shut it down because I CAN'T GET ANY CONTRIBUTIONS!

Answer 1

I recommend to the non-profit start-up organization, that before they try to seek funding, they need to establish a track record using the resources that they have. Identify existing resources, skills, and connections of the current board members/volunteers and undertake an activity that will put the organization on the map. This may include activities such as educational forums and workshops, clothing giveaways, food donations, neighborhood beautification projects, inexpensive youth activities, and others. This will demonstrate to funders that the organization is capable of producing results with limited resources, and that it can do even more with their donations and grants. I realize that this is somewhat of a catch-22 situation, but it has worked for me, and I have seen it work for others.

Answer 2

Evaluate the largest group of your ethnic and gender population then solicit entities whose concerns align with those groups.( Keep it real, people give to THOSE who look most like themselves and with WHOSE issues they can identify. ) Women and children are always heart jerks. Make fliers and go to churches and organizations. Approach United Way with a loud mouthed local preacher at your side. Your efforts must be viewed as a community based effort and not as you being a Savior. Go to your local government and get on the agenda for the next council meeting. Get involved with doing car washes, dinner sales. Go to your local restaurants with a well written plan to show how helping this population to meet their basic needs would be of benefit to their businesses . You were not clear on what the "day by day " problems were. What the hell is your Board of Directors doing to help you to raise money. I am a Grant Writer and an ex United Way Board member. I know what you are experiencing .

Answer 3

I'm guessing you're talking about donations when you say contributions?! Well is your content good and noticeable to others? What I mean is are you advertising or showing to people relating to your topics you are discussing. You may want to research into the word "Niche Marketing"; in short, it's about targeting the right people to show it. For example, since I don't really know about what you have on your website but just guessing... but if your website is mainly targeted to regular people who has nothing or no interest in what you have on your website, then you get visitors who could care less. You'll need to find out for yourself in who you want to show the website to, where and how to find them and bring them to your website. You should look into "Niche Marketing" and figure things out based on what it's about if you really don't want to shut down your website. "It's as if trying to make an ant buy a pair of shoes, you just can't no matter what; it's better to sell to a person, the question is to who: age, sex, female or male" so take this concept and find out your audience you want to show it to, this is what finding your Niche means.