Having the ability to make a difference in the world, no matter how small, is a beautiful thing. And it becomes even better if you’re not doing it for monetary gain. This is because it would mean that you’re more motivated by the mere fact that you’re serving a purpose that’s bigger than yourself.
That’s why non-profit organizations are considered miracle workers in their own right. They implement projects that make the world a better place to live in, start campaigns that support the marginalized and the underprivileged, or even raise public awareness of the different social issues.
However, these organizations can’t do everything on their own, especially because they need enough resources to launch large-scale initiatives. And because they’re not generating profits or revenues through their operations, they will need alternative sources of funding for their organization.
So, if you’re a member of a non-profit organization and you’re wondering what your options are for additional funding, you should know that there are plenty of potential sources that you can turn to. In fact, here are three of the most common sources of funding that you can consider:
Apply for Grants
Starting a campaign to raise awareness or launching an initiative to promote a social cause can take many resources you may not always have. Fortunately, many grant funding agencies can help you get the financial resources you need, provided that you can draft a compelling proposal for it.
Creating your non-profit organization’s proposal will take time because you’ll have to make a convincing case about why you deserve the funding over all the other applicants. You may be supporting a social cause that’s for the greater good of society, but so are all the other organizations vouching for that funding.
That’s why you’ll need all the help you can get when it comes to making your proposal. If you’re not sure about your ability to create a proposal on your own, you can always work with a grant writing company to increase your chances of getting approved. Take advantage of the professional writers’ expertise and experience to help you get the grant you need.
Hold Fundraisers
Another way to get funding for your organization is to hold fundraising events. For instance, you can partner with other initiatives that share your non-profit’s principles and organize an event in honor of the social cause you want to highlight. You can sell tickets or dinner tables in which all the proceeds will go directly to the project you’re launching.
But fundraisers don’t always have to take place as big events. You can also hold fundraising campaigns on social media platforms, wherein you can provide the details of a bank account or digital wallets that people can send their donations to. Or you can set up booths in malls and supermarkets to attract a larger crowd.
The whole point of holding fundraising events is so that you can raise awareness for the cause you’re trying to promote and gain additional funding at the same time. This means that you can’t just solicit money from people without giving relevant information about your organization and why you’re raising funds for your social cause.
Crowdfunding
Lastly, you can always consider using crowdfunding platforms to gain resources for your non-profit organization. Unlike the first two options mentioned above, crowdfunding is a relatively new method of getting funds, considering that it has only begun during the digital age. It’s also used by a lot of start-up companies and entrepreneurs.
Crowdfunding websites are where investors flock to support up-and-coming entrepreneurs and various organizations. By making a pitch about why you need the funding on the platform’s forum page, you’ll be able to plead your case in front of hundreds of waiting investors looking for a worthy cause to support.
And the best part about crowdfunding is that anyone can invest in your cause for as little as $10. This means that you’ll have other options to gain funding aside from direct investors, venture capitalists, traditional financial institutions, or even your friends and families. Plus, it can also be a great way to raise awareness for your organization’s mission at the same time.
Serving a purpose that’s bigger than yourself is not always easy, especially because you’ll have to work twice as hard to achieve what other people could do without using as many resources. But that’s what makes the successful outcomes that much more fulfilling. So continue to fight the good fight because the world needs more people like you who are willing to give their all for the right causes.