Best Practices & Strategies for Securing Invite-Only Funding

Have you ever felt like your nonprofit was missing out on VIP-only funding opportunities?

Securing invite-only funding is like landing an exclusive backstage pass. In this article, we are going to share strategies and best practices for building relationships with invite-only funders so that you can access these limited opportunities. 

Let’s go!

Understanding your nonprofit’s mission and impact isn’t just about effective communication—it’s also the key to unlocking invite-only opportunities from exclusive funders!

Funders, whether they’re individuals, foundations, or corporations, are on the lookout for nonprofits that seamlessly align with their objectives and values.

Think of your nonprofit’s mission as a spotlight—a beacon that attracts funders who are on the hunt for meaningful partnerships. 

Your ability to articulate goals and impact sets your nonprofit apart in the eyes of exclusive funders. In the super competitive world of invite-only funding, funders want to see evidence of impact. You can show impact through:

• Annual Reports
• Data Cards
• Grant Impact Reports
• Graphics (pie charts and graphs) on your website

Building strong relationships with invite-only funders is an essential strategy for securing these VIP opportunities.

Cultivating connections with the who’s-who in your community can open doors to exclusive partnerships. When engaging with potential invite-only funders, your focus should be on creating genuine, long-term relationships.

Attending networking events and conferences is a great way to start building relationships with invite-only funders. These events offer unique chances to connect with potential funders one-on-one and gain insights into their goals.

Here’s an example: the New York City chapter of the Association for Fundraising Professionals hosts “Meet the Funders” events where attendees get to network with potential funders. This is a great opportunity to start building relationships with invite-only funders!

In addition to networking events and conferences, you can also consider inviting funders to your nonprofit’s events. This is a great opportunity for you to showcase the impact of your work.

Here’s the long and short of it: Building relationships is a proactive strategy centered on creating connections that foster trust and understanding. These relationships are the foundation for securing invite-only opportunities. 

In the pursuit of invite-only funding opportunities, conducting thorough research on potential funders is a strategic game-changer for nonprofits.

A funder’s Form 990 is a great place to gather key data about their giving priorities. However, 990 forms can be really overwhelming and confusing!

Here’s where Instrumentl can help! Instrumentl’s 900 snapshots show you all the key information that you need to know about a funder, such as:

• Contact Information and Key People
• Key Financial Data
• Average Grant Award Amounts
• Past Grantees
• Giving Trends by NTEE Code 

The screenshot below shows you Past Grantees for The Gladys Brooks Foundation. This information is so helpful—not only does it give you insight into whether or not the funder supports nonprofits similar to yours, but it also gives you some easy conversation-starters when you’re networking and building relationships with invite-only funders..

Armed with this information, you’ll be ready to mix, mingle, and impress potential invite-only funders with your comprehensive knowledge about their organization.. 

Unlocking the door to invite-only funding is like entering a top-secret club, and the secret password? Demonstrating impact!

Communicating the impact of your organization’s work is the golden key that not only opens the funding vault but also builds lasting relationships with invite-only funders. Here are a few ways you can do this: 

• Compelling success stories can serve as tangible evidence of your organization’s impact. 
• Concrete data illustrates measurable outcomes and showcases how your work is making a real difference. 
• Testimonials provide authentic endorsements, reinforcing that your nonprofit not only articulates its goals, but successfully achieves them.

Here’s an example of showing impact through data that we love. Check this out—Communities in Schools, a national dropout prevention organization, publishes a data book for each academic year to showcase the real impact of their work across the US. They use easy-to-read charts, graphs, and images to make the data easy to digest while still showing incredible impact. 

This combination of impactful stories, data-driven insights, and genuine testimonials becomes a persuasive package that demonstrates to invite-only funders that your organization is not just making promises, but delivering tangible results.

Positioning your organization as an expert is a super-savvy strategy that can help you secure invitations for exclusive funding opportunities. Here’s how:

• Publishing Research: It’s not just bragging; it contributes valuable insights to your field, showcasing active engagement and pushing knowledge boundaries.
• Thought Leadership: Sharing expertise through blogs, presentations, and forums establishes your organization as a trusted source, and instills confidence in potential funders. Check out this Forbes article about how to nurture thought leadership within your organization!
• Advocacy Efforts: Showcasing your nonprofit’s commitment to system change grabs the attention of invite-only funders and demonstrates that you’re taking a proactive approach to addressing the root causes of your community’s problems. Habitat for Humanity is an organization that does a tremendous amount of advocacy work which they share and publish on their website.

Being an expert in your field is a strategic move signaling your nonprofit as a key player driving lasting change in your community.

Unlocking the doors to invite-only funding can be a collaborative effort. 

Exploring opportunities to collaborate with other organizations, institutions, or networks that already have established relationships with invite-only funders is a strategic power move. 

Strategic collaborations serve as both a credibility booster and an expansion strategy. Partnering with organizations that have a track record of success with invite-only funders not only vouches for your credibility, but also expands your access to additional funding opportunities. Win-win!

Funders are often more receptive to organizations that come recommended by trusted partners, making collaboration a smart and strategic move as you begin to pursue invite-only funding opportunities.

Pro Tip: You can use Instrumentl to look up who a funder has supported in the past. With this information, you can be strategic about what organizations you choose to collaborate with and build partnerships with. 

After you’ve successfully secured an invitation for an invite-only funding opportunity, your best strategy for success is customization.

Tailor your grant proposals and applications to perfectly match the specific priorities and guidelines outlined by the funder. This isn’t just a formality—it’s about clearly demonstrating how your project aligns with and contributes to the funder’s unique interests.

It’s important to show that your organization understands the funder’s goals and is committed to a mutually beneficial partnership.

Don’t be afraid to dive into the specifics. Provide the funder with evidence of alignment and showcase how your project stands out as a valuable investment.

When pursuing invite-only funding, articulating clear outcomes and impact metrics is a must-do. Funders prioritize initiatives that are likely to have concrete results; they want to know that there will be a measurable return on their financial investment.

By providing clear, specific metrics and outcomes, your project will distinguish itself as a reliable and impactful investment, increasing your chances of securing that coveted invitation.

Not sure where to start? Check out this blog article on logic models.

Maintaining transparency in your nonprofit’s operations, finances, and achievements is a foundational best practice in building trust with invite-only funders.

You can showcase this transparency in your grant reports to current donors, but you can also demonstrate to potential new funders your accountability through your financial statements and Form 990.  

In the world of grantseeking, especially when pursuing invite-only opportunities, transparency is a powerful tool for establishing and nurturing strong, trusting relationships with funders.

Here’s another strategy for success: arrange site visits and in-person meetings with potential funders to offer them a firsthand glimpse into your organization's impact and operations. 

This strategy of direct engagement provides funders with a tangible understanding of your work, fostering a deeper connection and increasing the likelihood of securing invite-only funding opportunities.

Nonprofits seeking invite-only funding opportunities must remain informed and adaptive in the dynamic world of funding. It’s crucial to continuously monitor changes in the funding landscape, as well as funder’s giving priorities. 

Be proactive, and make sure your nonprofit is informed of evolving trends. Be nimble enough to tweak your programs as appropriate, while still staying true to your organization's mission and long-term goals.

Ensuring your nonprofit has diverse funding sources is an industry best practice, but this strategy is especially relevant when seeking invite-only funding opportunities.

Maintaining a well-rounded portfolio of foundation grants, corporate partnerships, individual donors, and various funding streams not only mitigates financial risks but also showcases your nonprofit’s financial stability to potential invite-only funders.

Demonstrating diversified funding streams also shows funders that your organization is both adaptable and resilient, and has the capacity to navigate unexpected changes to the funding landscape.

Want to learn more? Check out this Baker Tilly article on funding diversification.

When you’re vying for the attention of an invite-only funder, you should be sure that your nonprofit has developed a compelling case for support. 

It’s critically important to be able to communicate to potential funders why your organization is deserving of their investment. A compelling case for support should emphasize your mission, impact, and the unique value proposition you’re bringing to the table.

Here’s another strategy for success: engage your nonprofit’s board members, volunteers, and current staff when seeking invitations from exclusive funders.

Actively involve these key supporters in the grantseeking process by asking them to tap into their networks and expertise. By leveraging their connections, you not only broaden your reach but enhance the credibility of your outreach efforts. 

Here’s an idea: The next time you meet with your nonprofit’s Board of Directors, present them with a list of invite-only funders in your area. Encourage them to think about who they know that might be connected to these funders and how they can help get you an introduction.

If you work in the world of nonprofit grants, you know that donor stewardship is a best practice that can make or break your fundraising efforts. This is especially true when you’ve successfully secured an invite-only funding opportunity. 

After receiving funding, expressing your gratitude to the funder is just the beginning of this process. Regularly sharing updates on the progress of the project or program that was funded and maintaining consistent communication is paramount.

Through effective donor stewardship, nonprofits not only acknowledge the funder’s impact but also lay the groundwork for potential future collaborations and sustained support.

Navigating the world of invite-only funding opportunities requires a strategic playbook. In this article, we’ve laid out the essential strategies and best practices to elevate your nonprofit’s chance of success. 

By incorporating these advanced strategies into your approach, your nonprofit can not only secure vital funding, but also build lasting relationships and open doors to potential future collaborations.