12 Steps to Finding the Perfect Nonprofit to Support in Haiti

Individuals are inspired to start/support a nonprofit to help serve their communities every day. The thing is, starting, sustaining, or even just supporting a nonprofit is a challenging task. It can feel difficult to select the right nonprofit to support; this is a common phenomenon. You want to help a cause you care about while also ensuring you’re working with an organization that is making a significant impact. If this is your issue as of right now, you found the right blog. This blog will walk you through some of the questions to ask before starting a nonprofit. 

Do your Research

There are several online resources that can help you research charities and verify their exempt status. It isn’t always that you’ll find sites that provide you with detailed descriptive information. A lot while giving basic details. For this reason, you have to be prepared to look at several resources and be aware that you might not find any information on the organization you’re digging for information on. One way to find information is to visit the organization’s website. Most established nonprofits will describe their missions, activities, etc. Use media sources or the internet and charity watchdog groups. 

Look at similar organizations

It isn’t a secret that there are multiple organizations working to address similar issues. Research a few and decide which ones most closely align with your philanthropic goals. 

Create a relationship with an organization

Naturally, you want to ensure your support goes to an organization making a true impact. To find out if they’re doing the good work you desire:

• Read their website for more information.
• Reach out to them and ask questions. In what ways can you help this cause? What are their programs for the coming year?
• Get involved. Attend an event, sign up to volunteer, and ask for a site visit.

These steps will allow you to get to know the organization and those involved; you’ll be able to clearly see their impact and know if you want to get more involved.

Remember, it’s about the small steps

Individually, we cannot take on an entire issue, but by getting involved and supporting the right organizations, we can help tackle the problem in smaller pieces. For example, wanting to end homelessness in America is an admirable goal – it’s also a big, overwhelming issue. However, supporting a cause that helps get people jobs and keep them out of homelessness is a way to take on the problem in a more manageable, highly impactful way.

Volunteer

Reach out and see how you can make an impact by volunteering. If you have a unique talent you’re willing to share, such as a knack for contacting celebrities or spectacular graphic design skills, mention them to the nonprofit.  Remember that there may be local ways to help, too, such as an in-person fundraiser in your area that could use an extra set of hands. Online or off, you can choose the volunteering pathway that works best for you, keeping your safety and schedule in mind. 

Attend a free virtual event

Sometimes, nonprofits hold virtual events to broaden their reach and engage prospective supporters, partners, or clients. You can support these goals simply by showing up. Look for virtual gatherings and webinars and listen in to help the nonprofit expand its reach.   

Peer-to-peer fundraising

One way to support a nonprofit is to share its existence with people you know and to ask them to support it. Post a notice about the organization on your social media accounts, add why you support it and think it’s worthwhile, and ask family and friends to support it. Encourage your friends to share the information and to fundraise themselves; this helps spread the word even further.

Harness social media 

You can use social media for peer-to-peer fundraising, but you can also use social media to help spread the word about a nonprofit you support. Stick to sharing the facts and Let your friends and followers decide whether they want to support the organization or get more involved. Even if you don’t specifically ask for money, awareness helps nonprofits continue to grow.

Sponsor an event 

Nonprofits offer a variety of events to help raise funds and awareness about their organizations, such as charity auctions, golf outings, trivia nights, and fun runs/walks. Offer to sponsor an event by making a cash or in-kind donation, such as supplying bottled water for a 5K run or providing a gift certificate or prize for an auction. You can also help publicize the event to friends and family to help draw attention to it.

Invest in email marketing

Emails are being used by nonprofits to get in touch with volunteers or confirm an online donation. It’s an effective tool that nonprofits can use to reach people faster, send targeted messages, maintain top-of-mind recall, and strengthen trust. Email is a great tool for nonprofits looking to relay information, build and strengthen relationships, announce events, and ask for donations. 

Talk about the mission

You may not see an immediate opportunity to connect a need and a nonprofit cause, but that doesn’t mean your word-of-mouth is less valuable.  

Get involved

The most important message is to get involved in any way you can; don’t just sit on the sidelines. These small efforts, like reading up on this information right now, all add up to make an amazing impact.