Getting rejected by a funder can be a pretty harsh burn. Especially when the funder responds with something like, “Sorry, but you didn’t meet our giving preferences.” Don’t let this scenario happen to you. Get a higher return on the hours you’re investing in proposal writing by submitting short letters of intent (LOIs) before you begin writing that 10-page proposal.

The rumors are true—creating a relationship with a foundation before submitting your proposal can significantly improve your chances of being awarded. Even if you don’t meet face-to-face with your prospective funder, simply becoming a familiar name can give you an edge over hundreds of other applicants.

Our team at Instrumentl has put together the three easiest and most effective ways to make contact and build relationships with foundations. Read on to find the approach that’s best for you.

It can take dozens of hours to find the right funders for your nonprofit, especially if you’re reaching out for the first time. What funders say on their websites is often quite different from reality. So how can you find funders that are most likely to give to your cause?

IRS Forms 990 hold secrets to what funders really want to fund, and they’re free for public use. Our team at Instrumentl assembled the top four tricks to leveraging 990s from some of the most successful nonprofits.