Finding Donors for Nonprofits: 4 Ways to Successfully Find Non-Profit Donors
How to Find Individual Donors for Your Nonprofit
While doing my own research, I came across a valuable article from GrantSpace.org (Foundation Center) that shares effective strategies for identifying and connecting with individual donors. Unsurprisingly, the best way to find donors is still old-fashioned community networking, but there are also several efficient ways to conduct donor research right from your office.
4 Ways to Identify Potential Donors from Your Desk
Search Local Media
Look for stories about individuals involved in civic activities or charitable giving. These people are often more inclined to support new causes.Network Through Acquaintances
Use mutual contacts—board members, volunteers, or existing donors—to introduce you to new prospects.Use Prospect Research Tools
Several online tools and databases can help you learn about a donor’s giving history, philanthropic interests, and capacity to give.Explore Foundation Center’s Funding Information Network
Access databases and research tools designed to help nonprofits find potential individual and institutional funders.
Once you've identified a promising donor, gather detailed information using tools like prospect worksheets from Candid.org, and be sure to align your outreach with their values and giving history.
Don’t Overlook Past Donors
Sometimes your best new donor is an old one. You can look up past supporters to reconnect, update them on your progress, and invite them back into your mission.
Top Tips for Finding and Cultivating Donors
Search local and social media for people who actively support nonprofits or sponsor local events.
Use relationship mapping to connect with prospects through your organization’s network.
Look at wealth indicators to identify high-capacity prospects who match your mission.
Show existing donors the impact of their contributions—they may become ambassadors for your crowdfunding or fundraising campaigns.
Use social media advertising and trending hashtags to reach like-minded individuals.
Encourage website visitors to join your mailing list and provide a clear “Donate” button.
Form partnerships with like-minded organizations to gain trust and visibility.
Host donor cultivation events, offer matching gift programs, and follow up quickly with personalized thank-you notes.
The Bottom Line
Every small nonprofit should focus on finding new supporters and building donor loyalty. Donor acquisition and cultivation require:
Consistent communication
Strategic research
A genuine connection to your mission
Using tools and resources like those from the Foundation Center—and combining them with engagement strategies—can help you build long-term, meaningful donor relationships.
Explore the full article and podcast for more in-depth advice on starting with individual donors, and don't forget to check out our guides on donor walls and donor cultivation tactics.