How to be a Dream Donor

Becoming a dream donor for a nonprofit goes beyond giving money — it means being sincerely engaged, mission-driven and a long-term partner in creating impact. And if you ever wondered what nonprofits want from a dream donor, here are some key ways to achieve that status:

Give unrestricted funding or fund capacity-building efforts

Unrestricted funding means that you trust the organization’s expertise to allocate resources where they are most needed. Supporting capacity building means that you are funding infrastructure needs such as much-needed staffing, technology upgrades, staff development or rent — smaller nonprofits especially need volunteers to fill in the skill gaps that may happen with a small staff, things that keep the organization running smoothly but are often hard to fundraise for.

Give multi-year gifts

Nonprofits thrive on predictable, flexible funding. Multi-year commitments allow them to plan ahead and innovate without worrying about annual budget constraints. You can start small with monthly donations or set up a larger annual gift — either way, nonprofits will appreciate a donor they can count on especially when funding is unpredictable. Many donors give during year-end campaigns, but nonprofits have expenses year-round. Consider making off-cycle gifts to provide steady cash flow.

Be an advocate and connector

Attend the nonprofit’s events and bring a friend. Introduce the nonprofit to your network, whether it’s potential donors, corporate sponsors or influencers, to help them raise awareness of their mission, increase their visibility and potentially secure new funding or resources. Advocate for their cause whenever you can.

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Source: Capital Gazette