Three Major Donor Searching Tips - AKA Truffle Hunting

The sacred mushroom hunting that Matteo is doing below could be compared to the process fundraisers go through in identifying, cultivating, and securing large donors, both household and institutional.

Let's talk about major gifts and grants for a minute:

+++=> Sorting - Have you tried running a report of all donors over time and sorting by largest dollar amount given ever? Focus on that list top to bottom with varying degrees of attention.

+++=> Surveying - Have you considered visiting with your top 40 household donors at home or work to learn what draws them to give -- and to ask for their input on what might move them to increase their support?

+++=> Comparing - Once you’ve identified your top grant opportunities--let's say the 50-100 largest institutional funders matched to your cause--have you researched how much they’re giving to your closest peer group? Create the priority list and adjust your projected asks based as much data and history as you can find. You can always revise if you turn up new information later.

To be sure, there are many other ideas that can help you uncover valuable funding resources.  I hope these 3 tips might spark something new for you today.