Effective Fundraising Strategies for Nonprofits

Fundraising is critical to the sustainability of nonprofits but can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to begin. While there’s no “one size fits all” solution, you can achieve your goals by implementing various strategies.

Check out this guide to discover how you can further your mission.

Online Fundraising

When it comes to online fundraising, convenience is key so people can donate from any device. If you haven’t already, include your website donation page in your Instagram bio so people can access it instantly. For in-person events, create a QR code that leads participants to your donation page directly. You should also provide various payment options from Apple Pay to VISA.

As the door to your organization, your website should be easy to navigate so people have a positive impression and feel compelled to donate once they learn more. Be sure to include a separate donation page, also in addition to a “donate” button within the homepage.

Donor Relations

To increase retention, you’ll need to keep your relationship with donors active from year to year. No matter the amount they donate, send a thank you after you receive their donation to express your gratitude for their contribution.

However, it’s critical for nonprofits of any size to take extra steps to reach out to major donors on a personal level. For example, invite them to one of your events with a complimentary ticket. If you’re part of a national or regional organization, suggest that your CEO or executive director take a major donor out to lunch when they’re in the area. In addition, you can organize time for a donor to visit on-site whether it’s touring a new building or meeting with staff. The more you cultivate these relationships, the more trust they have in your organization. 

Corporate Partnerships

As companies grow their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, they may be looking for opportunities to fundraise with nonprofits. Companies may host volunteer days to encourage their staff to give back and get involved in their community. Employee matching programs, event sponsorships and scholarships are additional ways to build these partnerships. Companies may also be interested in donating supplies for an event, like t-shirts, food etc. 

Fundraising Events

Special events are a great way to connect with your stakeholders in-person and celebrate milestones. Given the rising costs of events, annual events are often more worthwhile than smaller events throughout the year. Nonprofit fundraising teams should also consider the time of year when planning these events. If you’re planning a Gala, you may avoid doing it just before the holidays when many people are traveling. 

Furthermore, nonprofit events help generate public awareness. Event management is one aspect of public relations that can make a major difference in the success of your event. Public relations agencies can assist with writing speeches, developing your program, crafting talking points, overseeing media outreach, among other activities to maximize your exposure.

Following an event, consider sending an online survey to your partners and guests so you can implement feedback for the next one.

Grants

Although grant applications are very competitive and time-consuming, these larger gifts provide critical funds for your nonprofit. Many types of organizations offer grants from government institutions and corporations to private charities and family foundations.

Because grantmakers usually support a specific type of initiative, identifying the specifics of how the funds will be utilized is a critical first step in applying for funds. It’s also important to keep your finances in order to avoid delays in submitting your forms.

Grant applications vary in length and in some cases, working with a grant writer to craft the proposal can be beneficial. In other instances where you may not need to hire someone externally, consider bringing in a skilled writer on your internal team to support with the application.

Advertising and Creative Campaigns

You can also explore advertising and creative to support your fundraising goals. Depending on your budget, you can produce in-house creative work or partner with a creative agency. With your target audience in mind, be strategic about which platforms are most impactful. Be sure to use testimonials and impact stories in video content to show how your nonprofit makes a difference each day. Consider developing a catchy tagline that ties into your mission statement. Throughout your campaign, always make sure that your branding and messaging is consistent with your different fundraising channels.

It's easy to stick with the types of fundraising you’ve done in the past, but embracing new strategies can provide opportunities you may not have had before and ultimately, help expand your fundraising capacity.