1. Attend "Meet the Funders" roundtables in your region - or collaborate with others to organize one. Colleges, human service coalitions, local newspaper,libraries, chamber of commerce often host these. 2. Attend conferences/events where you know funders will attend and speak. Corner them, preferably at lunch. 3. Talk to sympatico organizations funded by targeted funders and get them to talk you up or even ask funder if you can contact them directly. Your sympatico nonprofits may not be allowed to come back in x year(s) to same funder. Funders appreciate hearing about promising orgs., so your pal nonprofit may get points for good recommendation. 4. Target 1-2 board members on foundation. Then see 1 & 2 above. 5. Attend the fundraisers of other organizations that your funder targets have supported and you think funders will attend. Look for award-giving events. 6. Have a story and intelligence (facts and analysis) to offer: Your perspective on the ___ problem. Why the __ legislation won't do enough. What your survey shows. The unmet hidden need is __. Etc. Tempt the funder with this insight.
