Author: Chandi Piefke
As fundraisers, we spend so much of our time searching for ways to bring in donations.
But have you ever stopped to think about the funding opportunities that already exist within your own organisation?
A surprisingly large number of fundraisers don’t.
Many lose sight of the fact that some of the best sources of new income may actually come from contacts close to your staff and/or Board members.
Charity directors are often well-connected, well-regarded individuals whose large professional and personal networks include many potential donors to your cause.
And your events manager who always knows what’s happening, when, and who will be there? There’s a good chance they have some exciting connections, too.
So before you start looking for that ‘new’ funding opportunity, have a chat with your staff and Board members to identify possible funding sources that are already within reach.
Make sure they are comfortable with your key messages, and don’t be afraid to ask them to think about their networks from a fundraising perspective.
There’s often a lot more potential ‘in your own backyard’ than you realise!