Building a donor list from scratch can be an overwhelming prospect. It can be incredibly nerve-wracking particularly for start-ups who understand that without donor funding, nothing will get done. With that pressure at the back of your mind, it can be hard to concentrate on the task at hand.

The main thing nonprofits need to focus on in the early stages is diversification. It is a never a good thing to put all of your eggs in one basket, so the more prospects you have, the better. With that in mind, it eases some of the pressure. You aren’t sourcing one client for a large payment but rather smaller payments to complement your long-term growth plans.

In the early stages, it is all about utilising the contacts you have. Talk to your board members, volunteers, supporters, family, colleagues and friends to see what initial support you can garner. Then work out from there. Consider names from your clubs, the church, or any other organisations you have been involved with in the past. Do they know anyone who might be interested in helping you? It is the personal connections in the early stages that will contribute to support your growth and development. Always bear in mind that the worst that can happen when you press people for support or donations is that they will say no. You have not lost anything by asking the question. In fact, you have much more to gain if the conversation goes as planned. You may just be surprised by who actually gives you money or turns out to be a useful source of information. Nonprofits and charities can spark an incredible sense of generosity, so use that to your advantage.

Interact with everyone you know and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Networking can be your best friend so source any event, print out those business cards and get talking. The more you can touch base with your current network, the better. A friend of a friend is going to feel more aligned to your business than a stranger in the early days. Depending on what your nonprofit represents, you may be able to tap into people’s interests. What is your mission? What kind of people will most likely want to help you further your cause?

Make sure that your website is set up to answer any questions donors may have in the early stages. Is your website inspiring? Is it helping your cause or putting prospective donors off? Are you able to able to answer all of the donor questions, which are coming your way? The more you network, the better you can perfect your spiel so you come across as genuine.

Any success, no matter how small, is a positive step forward. Each time you win over a donor, celebrate in a small manner. Have a board to list your successes so you can visually see yourself moving forward. Bit by bit, step by step, you can overcome that seemingly insurmountable hurdle ahead of you.