Build Your List Of Ideal Funders
Now that you have completed your AI research and mapped your personal network, the next step is to turn all of that information into an actionable list for outreach. This is where your research becomes the foundation of your fundraising strategy.
After completing the AI section, you will have a list of exact names of people, businesses, organizations, grantors, and government agencies. These come both from your personal network and the AI-generated suggestions. To make this list even stronger, use the profiles you created during the AI research to think through your personal network.
Ask yourself:
- Who do I know that directly benefits from the work we do or the impact we create?
- Who in my network would look good by associating with our mission?
- Which contacts match the profiles of individuals, businesses, organizations, or agencies identified in the AI research?
- By reflecting on these questions, you can complement your personal network with insights from the AI-generated profiles.
At this point, you will have two separate lists:
- Your personal network list
- The AI research list
It is important to keep these lists separate because the approach to raise money from each will differ. Personal connections can often be approached directly, through warm introductions or board member engagement. AI research contacts may require additional outreach, research, or relationship-building before asking for support.
Completing these two exercises marks the start of your ideal donor list. As you build and equip your team, a staff member or volunteer can take on the task of researching more detailed information based on the group names you have identified. This includes individuals, businesses, organizations, grantors, and government agencies.
Other Ways to Build Your List
Board Member Mapping
Your board members are a critical resource for identifying high-value connections. They likely have personal and professional networks they have invested in, supported, or served alongside. Board members can identify people who have experienced the needs you address and triumphed, or people who would want to do something about the problem you solve.
During Step 2, board reactivation, you will share the questions you answered and the profiles you created with your board. Ask them to map out their own networks and identify individuals, businesses, organizations, and agencies that align with your beneficiary list. Board relationships can unlock opportunities that might not have been visible to you before.
Supporter and Donor Mapping
Your current supporters and donors are also a valuable source of warm leads. These may include people on your email list, event attendees, or past donors. Reach out to them to recommend contacts within their network that match the profiles you’ve created. They can also help identify people who have lived experience with the challenges you address and have overcome them.
Here is a sample email you can send to your network:
Subject: Help us connect with people who care about our cause
Hi [Name],
We are expanding our work to support individuals experiencing homelessness in Buffalo by providing food and financial education. You have been such an important part of our community, and we are asking for your help to connect with people who care about our cause.
Do you know anyone in your network who fits one or more of these profiles?
Individuals
- Real estate professionals who rent to low-income tenants or manage affordable housing units
- Business owners in home decor, furniture, or moving services who could support newly housed individuals
- Financial advisors, accountants, or educators who care about helping people improve financial stability
Businesses
- Restaurants or food distributors who could partner to provide meals
- Local banks or credit unions that want to support financial literacy programs
- Employers who hire individuals transitioning out of homelessness
Organizations & Grantors
- Local foundations that fund housing, food security, or financial literacy programs
- Nonprofits working in complementary areas such as job training or youth support
- Donor circles or giving clubs focused on housing, community development, or poverty alleviation
Government & Agencies
- City housing authorities or social services departments
- Elected officials or community leaders who focus on homelessness and poverty
- Workforce development programs that help people secure stable employment
We would greatly appreciate any recommendations or referrals to these types of people, businesses, organizations, or agencies. Simply reply with your recommendations and referral. You can include names, contact information, and why you think they may care.
Thank you for helping us expand our community and create lasting impact.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Social Media Research
Social media is a powerful way to identify people who care about your cause, even if you do not know them personally. Platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook allow you to target groups based on their interests and location, turning cold outreach into a warm introduction.
You can run a small paid campaign, for example, with a $50–$100 budget, targeting the groups you identified in your beneficiary list. For example, you could target “real estate agents in Buffalo” with an ad offering something of value, such as a free resource or a short survey. The goal is to collect contact information for future relationship-building.
Example survey ad:
We are helping individuals experiencing homelessness secure housing, and as a real estate professional, your ideas are very valuable to the work we do. Share your insights in this quick survey and make a difference in our community.
Donor Research Platforms
Donor research platforms like Donorscope or iWave allow you to identify thousands of potential donors who match the profiles created during your AI research. By using the group profiles, you can filter for location, profession, giving history, and philanthropic interests. This ensures that the people, businesses, and organizations you find have the propensity, affinity, and capacity to support your mission.
For example, if your profile identifies “real estate professionals who rent to low-income tenants,” you can search on iWave for individuals or businesses in Buffalo that match this criteria. Similarly, you can search for foundations or government agencies that fund housing and financial literacy programs.
Creating Your Master Prospect List
Once you have collected information from your personal network, AI research, board mapping, supporter referrals, social media research, and donor research platforms, it is time to compile a master list.
Use a tool like Google Sheets or Excel to organize your prospects. Include the following columns:
- Name
- Contact Information (email, phone, LinkedIn, address)
- Connection to Your Organization
Beneficiary Type (individual, business, organization, grantor, government agency) - Why They Would Be Interested
Estimated Giving Capacity - Board or Supporter Connection
- Next Steps (e.g., schedule meeting, send email, invite to event)
- Having a detailed, organized list will allow you to approach potential funders strategically, track outreach efforts, and measure your progress over time.
By taking these steps, you are not just creating a list—you are building a pipeline of relationships that can sustain your organization and grow your impact for years to come.