All About Individual Donors

Individual donors include the millions of people and families who donate through penny drives, volunteering, or even multi-million dollar endowments. While the typical individual contribution is small, the numbers add up quickly. In 2016 alone, individual giving totaled $280 billion dollars in the United States –  nearly 5 times more than all US foundations gave that same year.

Individuals and families willingly give away their money for many reasons. The largest motivator for individual giving is religion, but personal satisfaction, societal obligation, and an emotional stake in the cause are also important influences. Individuals by and large give to organizations they feel a connection to. Unlike institutional donors, individuals rarely  analyze the strengths and weaknesses of a project proposal. Instead, they tend to respond better to personal stories and testimonials rather than full proposals. These generalities tend to hold true no matter if asking for very small or very large donations, so marketing towards individuals should take these considerations into account.

Donations from individuals can be great sources of unrestricted funding for NGOs. A strong base of small donations can cover core costs other donors may be unwilling to pay for. No proposals needed! Fundraising from individual community members is also how many NGOs get their initial funding. But expanding and sustaining an NGO’s network of individual donors beyond the local community can be much more difficult. This is a reason why many larger NGOs choose to focus more resources on submitting proposals for new projects.

Tips for Approaching Individuals

  • The first step towards soliciting individual donors is to reach out to your own personal networks – family, friends, local community, previous beneficiaries, etc. While the amounts may or may not be significant, these groups are typically the easiest to convert into long-time donors.
  • Use your organization’s website, newsletter, and social media to gain a following and keep in touch with people interested in what you do. These people are more likely to donate if asked.
  • Develop marketing plans to strategically target groups of individuals.
  • Crowdfunding using platforms such as GlobalGiving can connect your NGO to donors worldwide.
  • Always thank your donors – no matter how small the donation – and save their contact information.

About the author

Alta Alonzi

Alta Alonzi is a writer and researcher focusing on international development funding and grassroots NGOs. She works with the fundraising consulting company Philantropia conducting research for clients ranging from small NGOs to UN organizations. She also works closely with FundsforNGOs running training webinars, contributing resource guides, and updating the Premium donor database.

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salve labrador
4 years ago

Th

john lukoye
3 years ago

Hi thanks for such a good word of wisdom

Proposals forNGOs
Proposals forNGOs
3 years ago
Reply to  john lukoye

Glad you liked the article. Do follow us for more tips and tricks!

Rogers Tigawalana
Rogers Tigawalana
3 years ago

Hi
I follow you and appreciate your service

Proposals forNGOs
Proposals forNGOs
3 years ago

Dear Rogers: Thank you for your kind words. 🙂

Meshack Davis
Meshack Davis
1 year ago
Reply to  john lukoye

That’s awise advise ,v.good

Ram prakash sigdel
3 years ago

Donation for community people who are suffering of hand to mouth problems.

Proposals forNGOs
Proposals forNGOs
3 years ago

Dear Ram: Unfortunately, We are not a funding organization and do not provide grants. We are a social enterprise that provides a platform to connect you with expert advice on proposal writing to get your amazing projects funded.

Please check out the many resources available on our site to will help you with creating a fundraising strategy.

shah alam
shah alam
1 year ago

Dear Sir, Honorable most charitable man,woman Project Title: sir i want to help from you .because i am really helpless and orphan. I cannot bear my family. Application Type: Grant Application (please read my message and helps me) Sir, first of all, i wish you a thousand peace hearts. I hope you are well at the mercy of Allah. I’m Shah Alam. I’m a Bangladeshi. I’m a little K G school teacher. but my school bankrupt due to pandmic 19 and stoped from this time . i am unemployee from this time till now.My father was a farmer. I lived… Read more »

SSEBUWUFU MOSES
3 years ago

Recently I started a fundraising campaign to feed hungry poor children in remembrance of Sarah, a woman that fed me during hard times in 2010 when I was a school boy.

Many people would not ask you a thousand reasons to understand what you are passing through because they also ever experienced the same situation(s). Others will need a perusing language but I decide to tell what is exactly on the ground.

Nabukeera
Nabukeera
1 year ago

Hi, how best can I go about getting capital to start a small enterprise?
Thanks

Proposals forNGOs
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Nabukeera

Hello Nabukeera:
Check startupxs.com/ for more tips on funding for small enterprise and small businesses.

Joseph
Joseph
9 months ago
Reply to  Nabukeera

Request for Sponsorship in Sport I hope this letter receives you in good health. I would like to submit this letter as a formal application to request that you sponsor PEMBA SPORTS CLUB,this club consist of people with different talents; musicians, footballer and various sports are done including a program called helping the need . This club has done very well in the past. I believe that sponsoring our club is a good investment. We lucky financial assistance to improve on the following; *Volleyball club *Football club *Athletics club *Netball club *Basketball club *Sketch club *Martial arts I look forward… Read more »

shah alam
shah alam
1 year ago

Dear Sir, Honorable most charitable man,woman Project Title: sir i want to help from you .because i am really helpless and orphan. I cannot bear my family. Application Type: Grant Application (please read my message and helps me) Sir, first of all, i wish you a thousand peace hearts. I hope you are well at the mercy of Allah. I’m Shah Alam. I’m a Bangladeshi. I’m a little K G school teacher. but my school bankrupt due to pandmic 19 and stoped from this time . i am unemployee from this time till now.My father was a farmer. I lived… Read more »

Mwoyo Susan
Mwoyo Susan
11 months ago

I was born by 2 poor school children hence poverty, my grandparents could try to help but my aunt Flossy became my mum and dad otherwise I would completely be nothing today, I feel I need to help the needy people in my community and out of it, those I try to help are not given enough since i get only 300k as my salary, from this little, is an old widow from my neighborhood, Partricia, 2 Timothys, patience and Hellen from very poor families, Ejang, David, Ashiraf, Kaigala the orphans, Ive written here such that Incase some people can… Read more »

Emmily
3 years ago

Emmily

Kefelegn Sahle
Kefelegn Sahle
2 years ago

Kefelegn Sahle

P.O BOX 260

Ziway

Ethiopia

E-Mail: et0705icp@gmail.com

 

 

 

I am writing to you to request funding to support my Business in Ethiopia. In my business there are six employees. This Wood and metal business established 2019. This small business decreased because of COVID 19. To survived the business and continue we need $ 10,000.00  

 

I would be grateful if you would consider supporting my business by contributing to expenses that will be incurred. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

 

Kind Regards

 

 

 Kefelegn Sahle 

Priti Thapa
Admin
2 years ago
Reply to  Kefelegn Sahle

Dear Kefelegn:
Unfortunately, We are not a funding organization and do not provide grants. We are a social enterprise that provides a platform to connect you with expert advice on proposal writing to get your amazing projects funded.

Please check out the many resources available on our site to will help you on creating a fundraising strategy.

Best wishes for your project!

Otwikende Jimmy Zachary
Otwikende Jimmy Zachary
1 year ago
Reply to  Priti Thapa

Otwikende Jimmy Zachary is a Treasurer of Mannya coffee farmers cooperative society in Rakai District Uganda requesting for any willing donor to fund their project of setting up a coffee drinking hub by acquiring a roasting and grinding machines worth $15000

Jeshua Manhuwa
Jeshua Manhuwa
2 years ago

Greetings to you good people. I am seeking for donations I want to build a primary school in my community

Proposals forNGOs
Proposals forNGOs
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeshua Manhuwa

Dear Jeshua:
With thousands of donors in the world today, we are not able to contact donors on your behalf. We suggest you check the funding announcement or the donor website for relevant contact information and contact the donor directly.

Joseph kamau
Joseph kamau
2 years ago

Hello,lam pastor Joseph in kenya.i need your support in aid of buying a land to build a youth center.thanks as awaiting for your mail.

Proposals forNGOs
Admin
2 years ago
Reply to  Joseph kamau

Dear Joseph:
Unfortunately, We are not a funding organization and do not provide grants. We are a social enterprise that provides a platform to connect you with expert advice on proposal writing to get your amazing projects funded.

Please check out the many resources available on our site to help you on creating a fundraising strategy.

Redempter mutinda
2 years ago

Am in Kenya and looking for a donor for organisation to provide education to the poor.

Proposals forNGOs
Admin
2 years ago

Dear Redempter:
Unfortunately, We are not a funding organization and do not provide grants. We are a social enterprise that provides a platform to connect you with expert advice on proposal writing to get your amazing projects funded.

Please check out the many resources available on our site to help you on creating a fundraising strategy.

Thank you!

Bwambale Vincent
Bwambale Vincent
1 year ago

WHY ME-UGANDA Hallo good Samaritans? Am Bwambale Vincent a male citizen(33yrs) of Uganda trying to express brief situation in my area here in kasese district-Uganda. Am a village par asocial volunteer that has tried his level best to help the vulnerable especially the young children with disabilities. We have experienced a large number of vulnerable that has resulted from high poverty rate and high birth rate among the people who are unable to maintain the many children that they give birth to. But since the children find themselves being born, they enter the suffering innocently. And its from this background… Read more »

Saktya Rini Hastuti
Saktya Rini Hastuti
1 year ago

. Dear Alta, Hope you always in safe and healthy My name is Saktya Rini Hastuti. Former director of the Yogyakarta Consumers Institute, Indonesia, where I am now on the supervisory board for the agency. Currently I am doing social activities individually, by running local community organizations that need my presence to assist them to grow together. I intend to find individual donations that I can use to carry out these activities. Yesterday, when I was the director of the Yogyakarta Consumer Institute, I could take my community activities from the organization’s support for me. But now, I’m not a… Read more »

Proposals forNGOs
Admin
1 year ago

Dear Sktya Rini:
Unfortunately, We are not a funding organization and do not provide grants. We are a social enterprise that provides a platform to connect you with expert advice on proposal writing to get your amazing projects funded.

Please check out the many resources available on our site to help you on creating a fundraising strategy.

Thank you!

Saktya Rini Hastuti
Saktya Rini Hastuti
1 year ago

Thank you for your respon…

ESAETE OPUTAN AXHOVEL
ESAETE OPUTAN AXHOVEL
1 year ago

I would like to get individual to help fund my business which was affected by COVID-19

Simson
1 year ago

Hello believes the message finds you well, I’m simson from Namibia based in tsumkwe bushman land, I’m the owner of the small project called the kungcampsite,our business couldn’t go on since Covid19 hit us badly we couldn’t survive, very high hit by Covid19, u need support could I get help for someone to help write well fully functional business plan that I can use to get sponsors, and also for 1. the gender based violence project plan and budget. Here is my whatsapp number +264810429817 , email Skapembe386@gmail.com

Proposals forNGOs
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  Simson

Dear Simson:
Unfortunately, We are not a funding organization and do not provide grants. We are a social enterprise that provides a platform to connect you with expert advice on proposal writing to get your amazing projects funded.

Please check out the many resources available on our site to help you on creating a fundraising strategy.

Thank you!

ADEBU TUMWEKATSE
ADEBU TUMWEKATSE
1 year ago

I need help

Rusiimwa Conrad
1 year ago

I need some sponsorship

Engwaru Aaron
Engwaru Aaron
1 year ago

Hello dear members am also an orphan, by the names Engwaru Aaron from soroti district, Uganda, my father died in 2020 during corona season and left me with the rest of the brothers and sisters, am the one educating them , caring for there basic needs with some little business that am doing please need your support because am left with over 6 children please contact+256 789119487, +256 781616792

Wayne Quinten Lange
1 year ago

Good day.i am from South African my name is Wayne Quinten Lange.i am currently seeking person assistants with any donations towards funding for me to be able to emigrate to New Zealand.my mother’s and all my siblings is living in New Zealand and I haven’t seen them for years and I would love to apply for my pasports and all the necessary documents and to emigrate but unfortunately not me or any of my family’s has the fundings available.please I would really appreciate it if someone can perhaps provide me with any information of anyone that can help with any… Read more »

NSAMBA GERALD
1 year ago

I would like to start a business in Uganda

LJ MONENESI RAINS (PTY) LTD
LJ MONENESI RAINS (PTY) LTD
1 year ago

Please donate me here : LJ MONENESI RAINS (PTY) LTD, acc: 630 2680 6513 FNB south africa (RSA), Branch Code :250655

Proposals forNGOs
Admin
1 year ago

Hello: Unfortunately, We are not a funding organization and do not provide grants. We are a social enterprise that provides a platform to connect you with expert advice on proposal writing to get your amazing projects funded.

Please check out the many resources available on our site to help you on creating a fundraising strategy.

Thank you!

Nompumelelo Ngcobo
Nompumelelo Ngcobo
1 year ago

Hi

Can you please help me buy my kids uniform

Proposals forNGOs
Admin
1 year ago

Dear Nompumelelo
Unfortunately, We are not a funding organization and do not provide grants. We are a social enterprise that provides a platform to connect you with expert advice on proposal writing to get your amazing projects funded.

Please check out the many resources available on our site to help you on creating a fundraising strategy.

Thank you!

Andama Adam
Andama Adam
1 year ago

Hello, I’m called andama Adam, from Uganda, I’m specialising in fish Farming, I need help to increase my capacity of production, and adding numbers of workers, any one willing to support us she or he is welcome

Chekwuto Elija
Chekwuto Elija
1 year ago

Yes

Shanitah Alii
Shanitah Alii
1 year ago

I join

EACUSOD INITIATIVE L T D
11 months ago

Hello assalamualaikum am Abdul Aziz from Uganda, city is Kampala my district is Iganga,i request you our donors to help us in the month of Ramadan and other days we are hungry,we have many youths who are jobless and we can put them skills like welding, tailing and e t.c so we call up on our donors to help us in the stuition we are passing through.May the Lord bless you all

Mechael Tarison
Mechael Tarison
11 months ago

I’m running Vocational Career program NGO for genders empowerment seeking donors.

Muhumuza James
Muhumuza James
11 months ago

Help me with money

Proposals forNGOs
Admin
9 months ago
Reply to  Muhumuza James

Unfortunately, We are not a funding organization and do not provide grants. We are a social enterprise that provides a platform to connect you with expert advice on proposal writing to get your amazing projects funded.

Please check out the many resources available on our site to help you on creating a fundraising strategy.

Thank you!

Kwatemba Zachariah
Kwatemba Zachariah
10 months ago

How else can I share with the donors or individuals when I don’t have a website?

Proposals forNGOs
Admin
9 months ago

Dear Kwatemba:
You can always use your social media platforms- Linked and Facebook works the best. This article will help you more: https://proposalsforngos.com/social-media-for-ngos/

Muhumuza James
Muhumuza James
10 months ago

Iam Muhumuza James from Rukungiri district western uganda seeking for financial suport

Proposals forNGOs
Admin
9 months ago
Reply to  Muhumuza James

Dear Muhumuza: Unfortunately, We are not a funding organization and do not provide grants. We are a social enterprise that provides a platform to connect you with expert advice on proposal writing to get your amazing projects funded.

Please check out the many resources available on our site to help you on creating a fundraising strategy.

Thank you!

Muhumuza James
Muhumuza James
10 months ago

Iam glad to meet you sir/madam for that good receive my message and I hope that my request will be put under your consideration, thankyou! James

Musiime John Kennedy
Musiime John Kennedy
9 months ago

Great work done by these friends of ours
But am John Kennedy looking for an individual donar I canbefriend and we make business
+256770776590

Barozi Augustine
Barozi Augustine
6 months ago

I would wish to know more about NGOs development funding

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