Translating Fans, Friends and Followers Into Funds

Where to begin
So where do you begin? Start with your organization’s business network (companies on your e-mail list, Facebook page supporters, etc.) and identify those that might be interested in cultivating or expanding their online presence. You can enlist the help of a public relations agency to do this — or you can conduct your own outreach. In either case, the goal is to offer a fundraising “partnership” that will generate awareness, visibility and good will for both parties — plus donations for your organization. (Interestingly, this type of arrangement provides an added benefit for large companies: By teaming up with a nonprofit, they can generate online buzz without having to navigate corporate red tape.)