> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://nationgraph.gitbook.io/nationgraph/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://nationgraph.gitbook.io/nationgraph/help-center/readme/automations-overview/contacts-automation.md).

# Find Contacts Automation

Find contacts across selected territories using job-title and contact-detail filters.

Find Contacts retrieves contacts from selected territories based on the job titles you need. It searches NationGraph’s contacts database first, then uses web-search agents when no relevant contact is available.

### Before you start

You need at least one **territory** and one **title to include**. You can also:

* include similar titles
* exclude unwanted titles
* require an email address, phone number, or both

NationGraph automatically handles wording variations of the same title. For example, **Finance Director** can match **Finance Dir.** or **Executive Director of Finance**. To include a related but different role, such as **Assistant Superintendent** when searching for **Superintendent**, turn on similar-title matching.

### Create a Find Contacts automation

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Start the automation

Go to **Automations** and create a new **Find Contacts** automation.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Add titles and requirements

Enter the roles you want to find. Add exclusions, enable similar-title matching, or require an email address or phone number when needed.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Choose the accounts

Select the territory or territories to search.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Name and run

Give the automation a name, review the setup, and start it.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Review results

Search the results or filter them by requested role. You can export the results to CSV or select contacts to sync to a connected CRM.

Check each contact’s role and available details before using the record for outreach. Public-sector roles and contact information can change.

If you receive too few results, expand the territory, include similar titles, or relax exclusions and contact-detail requirements. If results include unwanted roles, use more specific titles or add exclusions. Some institutions may not have a relevant publicly available contact.

### Related guides

* [Contacts](/nationgraph/help-center/readme/workspaces/contacts.md)
* [Automations Overview](/nationgraph/help-center/readme/automations-overview.md)
* [Create & run an automation](/nationgraph/help-center/readme/automations-overview/create-and-run-an-automation.md)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://nationgraph.gitbook.io/nationgraph/help-center/readme/automations-overview/contacts-automation.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.