The Nonprofit Strategist

Fundraising Process Blueprint: Simple Steps to Relational Giving

Welcome to Your Simplified Guide: Building a Fundraising Process That Works for You

You've watched the Module 4 video—awesome! Now, let's make this easy. Fundraising succeeds when you guide people through four simple steps: Know (they learn about your mission), Like (they connect with your impact), Trust (they believe you'll use gifts wisely), and Ask (you invite them to join as partners). No complicated tables or trackers here—just clear examples you can mix and match to fit your nonprofit. We'll cover each step with ready-to-use ideas for individuals, businesses, and grantors, plus simple follow-up tips.

Pick examples that feel right for your mission (like empowering kids or community health), tweak them, and test with 3-5 prospects from Module 3. This builds relationships that bring repeat gifts. Let's keep it straightforward—you've got this!

Quick Start Reminder Think of your process as a friendly path: Start broad (Know), get personal (Like and Trust), then invite (Ask). Aim for 4-6 gentle touches over weeks, not days. Tools? Just email, calls, or social—nothing fancy.

Step 1: Know – Help Them Discover Your Mission

This is your warm welcome: Share who you are and what you do without asking for anything. Goal: Spark curiosity so they reply or engage. Do this first—always.

Examples for Individuals (Choose one to start a conversation):

  • Send a short email: "Hi Sarah, I noticed your love for local arts on LinkedIn. At ArtsForAll, we bring free workshops to underserved kids—last year, 200 created their first murals. What's one art moment that inspired you?"
  • Post on social and tag: "Shoutout to fellow book lovers! Our ReadToRise nonprofit gives books to kids in need. What's your favorite childhood read? Reply below!"
  • Make a quick call: "Hi Mike, a mutual friend mentioned your volunteer work. I'm with GreenEarth, planting trees in urban areas. Quick question: What's your top eco-win lately?"
  • Share a video intro: DM a 1-min clip: "Ever wonder how one seed changes a neighborhood? Watch how GreenEarth does it. Thoughts?"

Examples for Businesses (Focus on shared world):

  • Email their CSR lead: "Hello Team at EcoShop, Your sustainable products align with our mission at GreenEarth to green urban spaces. We planted 500 trees last quarter—curious how you're tackling local impact?"
  • LinkedIn comment: On their post about green initiatives: "Love this! At GreenEarth, we're partnering with schools for tree-planting days. Any tips from your side?"
  • Offer a free resource: "Hi from GreenEarth—saw your community giveback focus. Here's our quick guide to urban greening (no strings). What's your biggest green challenge?"

Examples for Grantors (Reach the right person):

  • Email the program officer: "Dear Ms. Lee at HopeFoundation, Your grants for youth equity caught my eye—they match our ReadToRise work providing books to low-income kids. I'd love your take on current needs in this space."
  • Attend their webinar and follow up: "Thanks for the insightful talk on education access. At ReadToRise, we're seeing similar gaps—any resources you'd recommend?"
  • Send a one-pager: "Quick intro to ReadToRise: We've distributed 1,000 books this year. Excited about HopeFoundation's focus—open to chatting priorities?"

Simple Tip: End every Know touch with a question about them. Send to 5 prospects this week—track replies in your notes app.

Step 2: Like – Build a Heart Connection

Once they respond (or after a week), share why your work matters and link it to their world. Goal: Make them smile or nod, feeling "This org gets it." Use stories to show real change.

Examples for Individuals (Pick a story that mirrors their passion):

  • Follow-up email: "Sarah, thanks for sharing your arts inspiration—that's exactly why we started ArtsForAll after seeing kids light up with paint. One girl, Mia, turned her first class into a mural now in a community center. What's a creative project you're proud of?"
  • Social reply: "Mike, your eco-story resonates! At GreenEarth, a neighborhood transformed 10 empty lots into gardens—families now harvest their own veggies. Share your green thumb tale?"
  • Voice note: "Loved hearing about your book drives, Alex. ReadToRise began with my own kid's love for stories; now, 50 families have home libraries. How did reading shape you?"
  • Handwritten note: "Dear Jordan, Your volunteer energy inspired this: At ArtsForAll, a shy teen found confidence through dance—pure joy. Grateful for connections like yours."

Examples for Businesses (Highlight mutual wins):

  • Email with a story: "EcoShop team, building on our green chat—GreenEarth's school planting day engaged 100 kids, reducing local heat islands (and boosting community pride). How's your CSR story unfolding?"
  • Share a co-aligned win: "Following up: ArtsForAll's workshop with a local biz like yours reached 30 artists, creating buzz. Imagine the stories we could co-tell—what's your favorite impact moment?"
  • Quick video share: "Hi from ReadToRise—your education posts got us thinking. We gifted books to a classroom, sparking reading marathons. What's a learner success that stuck with you?"

Examples for Grantors (Show shared vision):

  • Email insight: "Ms. Lee, your equity talk echoed our ReadToRise reality: One grant-like partnership let us reach rural kids, boosting literacy 30%. What's a recent win in your portfolio?"
  • Share a mini-case: "Building on our intro, HopeFoundation—ArtsForAll's community mural project united 200 neighbors, fostering belonging. Aligns with your arts-access goals; thoughts?"
  • Invite to a story: "Dear Grant Team, GreenEarth's tree-plant story: From barren lot to family oasis, impacting 50 homes. Mirrors your environmental justice focus—what's inspiring you lately?"

Simple Tip: Keep it short (under 200 words) and end with their story invite. If no reply, wait 10 days—people are busy.

Step 3: Trust – Show You're Reliable Partners

Prove you'll handle resources well by inviting them in or sharing proof. Goal: They think, "I can count on this team." Give value first—no pressure.

Examples for Individuals (Offer a low-key join or proof):

  • Event invite: "Sarah, ready for arts magic? Join our free workshop as a guest—see kids create live. Or, if travel's tough, here's a video of last one's transformations."
  • Collab offer: "Mike, your eco-expertise could supercharge GreenEarth's next plant day—want to lead a session? We'll handle logistics; you bring the spark."
  • Results share: "Alex, trusted partners like you make ReadToRise shine. Last donor's gift stocked 20 libraries—kids now read 2x more. Open to brainstorming your impact ideas?"
  • Site visit tease: "Jordan, trust our work? Swing by ArtsForAll's studio for a tour—witness the joy firsthand (coffee on us)."

Examples for Businesses (Provide real value upfront):

  • Free tool offer: "EcoShop, to build trust, here's a custom report on greening retail spaces (from GreenEarth data). Saw your store—thoughts on applying it?"
  • Pilot collab: "ArtsForAll to your team: Let's test a co-employee volunteer day—no cost to you. Last one with a partner firm engaged 20 staff in creative relief."
  • Impact preview: "ReadToRise sharing: A biz like yours sponsored books for 50 kids—saw 40% better school scores. Ready to explore a no-risk trial?"

Examples for Grantors (Non-money partnership first):

  • Advisory ask: "Ms. Lee, build trust with HopeFoundation? Advise our next ReadToRise book drive—your insights could shape it for bigger reach."
  • Co-event: "Grant Team, let's co-host a youth equity panel (virtual, easy). GreenEarth's on-ground stories + your expertise = powerful."
  • Proof packet: "ArtsForAll to you: Detailed results from similar alignments—90% participant retention. Feedback welcome before any next steps."

Simple Tip: Always follow through fast (e.g., send the invite link same day). This builds "Wow, they deliver."

Step 4: Ask – Invite Them to Partner

After 3-4 touches (when they're engaged), make a clear, joyful invite. Goal: Frame as "Join the change" with benefits for them. Be specific on amount/impact.

Examples for Individuals (Personal and fulfilling):

  • Email: "Sarah, after our arts chats, invite you to partner: $200 sponsors a kid's full workshop (materials + mentor). You'll get photos of their masterpiece + a thank-you note. Joyful impact—[donate link]. What do you think?"
  • Call script: "Mike, loving our green talks. GreenEarth's next tree drive needs $300 for 50 saplings—your gift plants a legacy grove named after you. Ready to dig in? [Details]."
  • Message: "Alex, from book stories to action: $100 equips 5 kids' libraries. Feel the fulfillment as they write you thanks. Partner? [Link]."

Examples for Businesses (Tie to their wins):

  • Proposal email: "EcoShop, post our greening report: $5K funds a co-branded park—your logo on benches, 200 community engagements. Boosts your CSR story—[proposal PDF/link]."
  • Call: "ArtsForAll invite: $2K for employee art sessions (your team + ours). PR photos, tax perks, happier staff. Let's make it happen?"
  • Follow-up: "ReadToRise to you: $10K scales book drives to your stores—customer loyalty + impact reports. Partnership ready? [Next call]."

Examples for Grantors (Strategic and report-based):

  • Email: "Ms. Lee, after our equity chat: HopeFoundation grant of $20K expands ReadToRise to 3 schools—detailed budget attached. Aligns perfectly; application inside."
  • Post-collab: "Grant Team, our panel reached 150—$15K from GreenEarth grows it nationwide. Your support + our execution = scaled change. [Full proposal]."

Simple Tip: Always say why it matters to them (e.g., fulfillment, visibility). If silent, no big deal—circle back later.

Simple Follow-Up: Keep the Door Open

For every Ask:

  • If No (or Silence): Wait 2 weeks, then: "No worries—loved our chat. Here's a quick win from our work [story]. Still connected?" Nurture with 1 monthly share (e.g., impact photo). Turns 30% into future yeses.
  • If Yes: Same day: "Thrilled—thank you! [Personal note]." Week 2: "Your $X empowered 10 kids—photo attached." Month 3: "Repeat partner? Next project invite." Makes 70% return.

Examples Across Audiences:

  • No to individual: "Thanks for considering, Sarah. ArtsForAll's latest mural story—your thoughts?"
  • Yes to business: "EcoShop, your gift greened 2 blocks—team tour soon?"
  • No to grantor: "Appreciate the review, Ms. Lee. Non-funding collab still on?"

Make It Unique: Your Customization Prompt

To tailor this perfectly, copy-paste this prompt into ChatGPT or any AI (replace brackets with your details):

"For my nonprofit [your mission, e.g., empowering underserved kids through books], targeting [audience, e.g., local families for individuals, retailers for businesses, education foundations for grantors], create a simple 4-step fundraising process: Step 1 (Know) with 2 example touches; Step 2 (Like) with 2 stories; Step 3 (Trust) with 2 value invites; Step 4 (Ask) with 2 specific invitations. Include 1 no-follow-up and 1 yes-stewardship idea. Keep it under 500 words, warm, and actionable for [your org's style, e.g., community-focused]."

Run it once per audience—voila, your custom blueprint!

Your Easy 30-Day Plan

  • Week 1: Pick 3 examples per step for one audience—send 3 Know touches.
  • Week 2: Add Like/Trust for those replies—nurture 3 more.
  • Week 3: Make 2 Asks; note follow-ups.
  • Week 4: Test your AI prompt; tweak and share one win with a friend.

That's it—small steps, big shifts.

Next Steps & A Breath

Start with one prospect today—watch the warmth build. This process grows with you; revisit in a month.

Final Reflection: Which example lights you up? How will one step change your next outreach?

You're equipped for consistent, joyful giving. Course done—go partner!

Email me at [email protected] if you need any help.