When you are starting a nonprofit, you are going to need a number of people to be a part of your new organization. You will need donors, volunteers, and board members. Where are you going to find them? Anywhere you find people!

One of the tenets of a successful business is to always talk about your business with the people you meet. This is doubly true for nonprofit organizations, because they run on the donations and efforts of so many individual people. You don’t have to be obnoxious or pushy, but when asked “What’s new?” or “what do you do?”, be prepared with a few sentences about your nonprofit organization, including some type of call to action. Also, have your nonprofit’s business cards with you to hand out…even if the person you talk to isn’t interested, they may well know someone who is and pass your information along.

For example, the founder of an animal shelter might say, when asked “What’s new?”, “I’m in the planning stages for a new animal shelter that will provide short-term shelter for dogs and cats displaced when their owner’s move to assisted living and nursing facilities until they can be placed with other rescue groups or adopted into homes. Right now we are putting together a mailing list of people who are interested in serving as foster homes for dogs and cats. You can find out more and sign up on our website…” Then hand them a business card that includes the website address.

Use these informal opportunities to spread the word about your nonprofit organization, identify people who have an interest in what you are doing, and possibly round up some donors, volunteers, or board members.

Starting a Nonprofit? Start Here. Go Far. LaunchX.com