5 Ways to Find Your First 100 Donors as a New Nonprofit

Discover 5 proven strategies to find your first 100 nonprofit donors, including tips on networking, social media, and partnerships.

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25 Nov 2025 — 4 min read

Starting a nonprofit organization is a journey filled with passion and purpose. However, one of the biggest hurdles for new nonprofit leaders is finding their first donors. Without a solid base of support, even the most meaningful missions can struggle to gain momentum. Tiffany, an expert in nonprofit fundraising strategies, shares five transformative methods to help new nonprofits attract their first 100 donors. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your approach, these strategies will guide you toward success.

The Power of Your Personal Network

The first and most accessible source of potential donors lies within your personal network. Many new nonprofit leaders hesitate to ask family, friends, or colleagues for donations, fearing it might come across as begging. However, reframing your mindset is crucial - your nonprofit is not a personal favor but a public institution serving a meaningful cause.

To harness this strategy effectively:

Perform a "Circle of Influence" exercise: Map out your connections - family, social groups, professional contacts, and even casual acquaintances.
Set clear goals: Be specific about what you aim to achieve (e.g., the number of people you plan to serve in a year). Donors are more likely to contribute when they see tangible outcomes.
Let go of assumptions: Don’t decide for others whether they can or will donate. Your job is to ask; their job is to decide.

By systematically reaching out to the people in your network, you can build a strong base of early supporters.

Engaging Built-In Communities

Tapping into existing groups with built-in audiences can be a game-changer. These include faith-based organizations, local clubs, sororities, fraternities, and membership associations. Such groups often have service-oriented goals and are eager to support meaningful missions.

How to Connect with Groups:

Do your homework: Identify groups aligned with your mission or located in your geographic area.
Build relationships: Educate these groups about the impact of your nonprofit and how it aligns with their values.
Be patient: It takes time to foster trust and understanding within these communities.

For example, a nonprofit in South Carolina successfully raised seed funding by reaching out to local churches, showing how their mission to support young parents resonated with the community’s values. This relationship led to tangible results, such as securing an operational space within three years.

Social media provides powerful tools for educating people about your mission and building relationships. However, the key to success lies in engagement, not spam. Sending cold donation links to strangers is unlikely to yield results. Instead, focus on creating genuine connections.

Educate and inform: Share compelling stories, data, and updates about your mission to attract interest.
Engage meaningfully: Interact with people who like or comment on your posts. Ask questions, respond to comments, and start conversations.
Develop one-on-one relationships: After building rapport, directly ask interested individuals to support your cause.

Consistency is critical - regularly posting mission-driven content keeps your nonprofit top of mind for potential donors. Combined with direct outreach, social media can become a vital platform for attracting your first supporters.

Partnering with Local Businesses

Local businesses are often deeply invested in their communities and eager to support local causes. From grocery stores to banks, many companies have corporate foundations or community giving programs. These partnerships can provide both funding and increased visibility for your nonprofit.

How to Approach Businesses:

Research alignment: Identify companies whose missions or customer bases align with your nonprofit’s cause. For instance, grocery stores often support food-related nonprofits.
Highlight geographic ties: Many corporate foundations prioritize giving to organizations in their immediate area.
Start small: Target smaller family-owned businesses, local branches of larger companies, and credit unions for initial support.

For example, Walmart’s community giving program allows each store to award grants to local nonprofits. By building relationships with local businesses, you can uncover untapped funding opportunities.

Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Amplify Your Reach

Peer-to-peer fundraising leverages the networks of individuals already connected to your cause. Volunteers, past donors, or passionate supporters can ask their own friends, family, and colleagues to donate to your nonprofit.

This strategy works because:

It builds trust: People are more likely to give when asked by someone they know and trust.
It multiplies your reach: Each supporter extends your message to a new audience.
It’s versatile: Peer-to-peer fundraising can take many forms, from Facebook fundraisers to house parties.

For example, a supporter might host a small gathering to introduce your nonprofit to their network. After hearing about your mission, attendees are more likely to feel inspired to donate. Alternatively, social media platforms like Facebook make it easy for supporters to raise money on your behalf.

Key Takeaways

Here are the most important insights from Tiffany’s strategies to secure your first 100 donors:

Start with your personal network: Identify people in your circles and directly ask for their support.
Tap into communities with built-in audiences: Build relationships with local groups that share your mission’s values.
Use social media strategically: Focus on education, engagement, and one-on-one outreach instead of mass donation requests.
Partner with local businesses: Research companies with geographic or mission alignment and establish connections.
Leverage peer-to-peer fundraising: Empower your supporters to fundraise within their networks on your behalf.

These strategies not only help you find your first donors but also lay the foundation for a sustainable donor base. Remember, fundraising is as much about building relationships as it is about raising money.

Conclusion

Finding your first 100 donors might feel daunting, but it’s entirely achievable with the right approach. By focusing on authentic connections, aligning with like-minded groups, and embracing diverse fundraising strategies, you can secure the support your nonprofit needs to thrive. Each donor you gain is a testament to the value of your mission and the potential for lasting impact in your community. Take the first step today by reaching out, sharing your story, and inviting others to join your cause. Together, you can make a difference.

Source: "How to get 100 donors when you start your nonprofit" - Boss on a Budget - Build a Strong Nonprofit, YouTube, Nov 20, 2025 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nIJjOsG1TI