Without a doubt, one of the greatest challenges for Civil Society Organizations is precisely the lack of financial resources to develop projects, hire people, and promote actions.

For these and so many other reasons, fundraising is a fundamental strategy for maintaining the activities developed by the third sector.

Lately, fundraising processes have been in the spotlight among organizations, and there are countless effective techniques to stimulate a positive return.

Probably, you must know that the Third Sector has grown significantly in the country. However, along with the expansion of the landscape, new challenges have also emerged, such as competition and difficulty in obtaining resources.

In other big words, more than ever, it is crucial to define and follow strategies to achieve good performance and impact supporters.

Thinking about this, we, from the CodeBlog team, have listed tips to help you in this challenging mission. Follow along with us and check out some ways to raise funds for your organization below.

1. Be optimistic! In thought and communication

We well know that the current period is challenging for everyone. But, it happens that some organizations have been struggling to maintain their operations for so long that they simply went on autopilot and began to communicate pessimistically.

However, the tone of despair and negative sentences such as "everything is very difficult" or "without your donation we will close our doors" do not convince the listener. Quite the contrary.

So, the first step to scaling up your fundraising is to rethink your approach and bet on a winning narrative.

Instead of only emphasizing the problems, present your organization's focus, the solutions it offers, and how it is willing to contribute to the resolution of socio-environmental conflicts. Bring up the real numbers, invest in success cases, and, finally, invite the listener to be part of this change with some kind of support.

2. Direct the resources beforehand

After thinking of a winning communication and before presenting it to potential donors, pre-direct the resources that will be raised and, if possible and appropriate, mention why your institution needs the money. Take the opportunity to gather other information about your NGO's financial situation, such as, for example, what is the minimum amount necessary to complete the projects and what are the annual costs for the development of your entity.

3. Reinventing yourself is no longer a differentiator. Treat readjustment as an obligation

Unfortunately, in recent years, third sector entities have had to face cuts in public funding, so reinvention and readjustment to the scenario have become mandatory. Just like in any other market, there is no secret formula or shorter path to success; it all depends on trial, error, and many, many risks. However, to minimize possible failures, it is important to understand the context and potential of your organization to outline the best path to follow.

Below, check out some ways of fundraising with good chances of positive results.

Donor acquisition

Unlike traditional companies, third sector institutions can ask for donations to carry out their activities. However, in addition to the requests, it is necessary to offer some benefits to donors, such as gifts, event tickets, or company promotion on the website or in the annual activities report.

Moreover, you must keep in mind that it is cheaper and more rewarding to retain recurring donors than to look for new ones. Therefore, bet on good relationship practices, thank your donors, and show them how the donated money was applied within your organization.

Project-based fundraising

In addition to donations, another good way to raise funds is through projects. In this context, there are two possible paths: Incentivized Projects and Calls for Projects from Corporate Institutes and Foundations.

Incentivized projects

Through tax incentive laws, the government enables companies and individuals to allocate part of their income tax to fund sports, cultural, or health-related projects. This way, the individual or legal entity can choose to whom and how this amount will be allocated.

Calls for projects

Calls for projects from Corporate Institutes and Foundations are also good sources of support for Organizations. But, before trying to participate in one, it is important to know if the companies' operations align with the activities developed in your NGO. In addition, it is important to check if your entity meets the necessary conditions for participation.

4. Events

Holding events, besides helping to promote your NGO, is also an excellent way to raise funds. For this, it is worth investing in a feijoada, pizzas, or fogazzas day, etc.

To do this, choose the best dish, prepare it, promote it, and then open it for orders. In a post-pandemic period, it is also possible to think about charity parties and excursions to visit tourist spots.

5. Bazar

Holding a bazaar is already a very common activity when it comes to NGO fundraising. Therefore, as effective as it may be, this type of action must be well organized to set your NGO's events apart from the rest. So, think about how to turn your bazaar into something closer to a store. Obtain donations of clothes, furniture, and appliances in good condition, offer attractive prices, and pay attention to the layout of the pieces and the lighting of the venue.

6. Space rental

If your organization has a large space, with auditoriums and sports areas, an excellent way to raise more resources in the post-pandemic period is to sublease some areas to host events such as birthdays, congresses, and lectures.

In addition, it is also possible to rent unused rooms. Coworking (sharing spaces and resources aimed at work), for example, is a business model that has been growing in recent years, as it allows sharing the costs related to rent.

Anyway, did you enjoy staying on top of CodeBlog's tips on how to raise funds for your Organization? If this article was interesting to you, share it on your social networks. Certainly, this information can help many entities gain more prominence in the current scenario.