This will vary from donor to donor but for most types of donor you should:
🔴 Research them thoroughly. Review their website. Read their guidelines on how to contact and how to apply. Review their giving criteria: does your association and project/programme really match what they like to donate to? Most funders get far more applications and requests than they can support, so only the most suited projects will receive funding.
🟠Check that you would actually want to receive funds from this organization! If you don’t already have one, it would be helpful to produce an ethical policy for your organisation. As a values-based movement, it’s important to define what this means for your organisation. The document serves as a guideline for the way an organisation conducts itself and we recommend that it states that the organisation supports the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). An ethical policy may include the organisation's position on issues such as human rights, ecological impact and animal welfare. In relation to fundraising your organisation may choose to specify that it will not accept donations from businesses or people involved in certain activities (e.g. alcohol, tobacco, using child labour, military etc.). You should always check any potential new donor to make sure that their activities don’t contravene your ethical policy. Finally you will want to consider the reputation and allegiances your potential donor has (e.g. when considering donations from religious or political organisation).
Take care who you are seen to partner with as it might affect whether you can achieve your mission of advocating for girls and young women and providing opportunities for all girls.
🟡 Ensure you have a very clear case for support for your organisation, and for the specific project you are seeking funding for, if applicable. You are not going to send this to them on first contact but you should have it ready in case the discussion evolves naturally or in case they ask you to send over a summary as soon as possible.
🟢 Be prepared to explain how your project meets their objectives. Have this written down ready before any contact with them.
🔵Ask within your organisation and within any influential networks your association has to see if anyone has a connection already. If they do, can they make the first contact, or introduce you?
🟣 Check with WAGGGS for an existing relationship if it is an international organisation, and check with any in-country associations if it is an organisation based in another country.