Hiding in Plain Sight: Fundraising Opportunities Are Everywhere

Your takes:

1. When you have a rare chance to chat with a funder, use the opportunity to uncover strategic and helpful information that is not usually available on a website.
2. Plant the seeds of a future relationship with program officers by asking about their professional histories, interests and roles in their organizations.
3. Keep abreast of surrounding issues that can affect the philanthropy landscape. For example, learning about trends in social impact philanthropy, what makes different types of philanthropist give and the happenings on Capitol Hill will pay far more dividends than the off chance of having a meaningful encounter with a foundation officer at an event.

Larry Raff is president and principal of philanthropy consulting firm Copley Raff. Reach him at lraff@copleyraff.com. This article originally appeared on Copley Raff's Giving Take blog.