What Do Funders Look For? Tips for Nonprofits
Our goal at GiveTeam is to help donors make thoughtful gifts to strong community-based nonprofits in a variety of cause areas, geographic locations, and target communities. Nonprofits often ask us about what we consider when recommending nonprofits and how their organization might position itself to be considered for inclusion in our recommendations. Here is a list of important items we (and others working with donors) look for in a nonprofit:
Who are your other funders? Our first consideration is to review which funders recently supported a specific nonprofit. Seeing that the organization has received financial support from other thoughtful funders such as local community foundations, private foundations, giving circles, and institutional funders speaks to their sustainability, accountability, as well as to the public perception of their impact. Nonprofits can aid in this process by listing their supporters on their website. Highlight those funders that are supporting your great work!
Make sure your website is up to date! Your online presence is the way many funders and most individual donors first learn about your organization’s work. What problem are you trying to solve? What’s your solution? We’re also looking for mission, vision, programs, and impact. Make sure all those things are on your website and easy to find.
Ensure all contact information is current. Is your “About Us” section updated? Include staff (and board) names, titles, and contact information where appropriate. Photos and bios are great too if available! Real (not just info@) email addresses for key staff (like Development Directors or Executive Directors) are incredibly important. If GiveTeam, a donor, or a funder wants to learn more, we will use the contact information listed on your website. Make sure there is a person picking up at the listed phone number and answering emails in a timely fashion.
List your EIN number early and often! Donors need your tax-exempt IRS EIN# to donate to your organization. Make it easy to find on your website by featuring it on your homepage as well as in your footer. Note: If your organization is fiscally sponsored, include language that clearly states: “Fiscally Sponsored by [name of entity], [entity EIN]” and any appropriate designation language and contact information.
Share your impact. Highlight your recent accomplishments on your website. What are some recent successes you’re proud of? What do your clients say about you? Make your most recent annual or impact report easy to find. Impactful testimonials and quantitative data help “tell your story” to donors.
Don’t forget about social media! If you have Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or other social media accounts, make sure that links are easy to find and post regularly on those accounts!
Are there other ways donors can get involved? Make sure information about board service, volunteer opportunities, local events, and donation wish-lists are up-to-date and easy to find on your website.
Keep your GuideStar and Charity Navigator profiles up-to-date. While GiveTeam does additional in-depth research on each organization we recommend, we (and other donors) often check an organization’s profile on these nonprofit “rating” sites to learn about an organization’s financial health, accountability, and transparency. Much of the information on those sites is self-reported, so it’s a good idea to make sure you are accurately represented. Don’t like your Charity Navigator score and need help improving it? Submit this form to Charity Navigator to request help. They can help you understand your rating and provide you with tips to improve it.
GiveTeam serves donors with the capacity to provide significant support to nonprofits in a multitude of cause areas, working with diverse communities in locations across the United States. We love telling the stories of these organizations’ critical impact and the difference they make every day. Nonprofits, help us tell your story by promoting your great work in clear, creative ways. We hope the suggestions above help!