I've been a direct response fundraiser for many years, and e-mail is the best and lowest-cost way I know to build a list of direct response donors.
Direct response is the most democratic way to raise funds, because it involves individuals who contribute small amounts (my organization had an average individual gift of $40).
build a list of electronic donors, starting with your current supporters.
Write a brief fundraising letter that uses a story to illustrate what you do and to connect readers emotionally to your cause.
How has your organization positively affected someone's life? The formula: What was the person's life like, what happened via {organization}, and what is the person's life like now? You have to ask directly for money.
Quantify what a gift will do, e.
g.
$20 will fund X, $50 will pay for Y, $100 will allow Z, $250 will enable A.
Ask your supporters to send that email to as many of their friends as they can, with the introduction of "When I heard about the impact {organization} was having on the lives of young kids in (community}, I knew I had to be part of it.
" Then tell the story, a little bit about how {organization} does what it does, and then a direct request for money.
"Because you care about social change {cause}, I had to tell you about {organization} and give you a chance to be part of this amazing group.
Your financial donation will allow {organization} to continue working with the kids of {place}.
And the more people who support {organization}, the more people we can help.
" Expect perhaps 1 or 2 of 100 to make a contribution.
Thank them, and give them a way to 1) give another gift and 2) forward a request for support to their friends ("now that I'm part of this amazing group, I had to tell you about it.
").
Send your new and existing donors periodic electronic updates (once every two or three months) that have ways to click through to make a gift.
PayPal is the easiest mechanism for donors these days.
Gradually, your list will grow.