The right fundraising solutions can help organizations reach new audiences, create new revenue opportunities, and build stronger community support.
Some nonprofits depend mainly on individual contributions, while others use events, sponsorships, grants, peer-to-peer fundraising, or business partnerships. Using a mix of methods can give an organization more flexibility and reduce dependence on one source of funding.
In this guide, we explore 10 practical fundraising solutions that nonprofits can consider for their next fundraising strategy.
1. Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Peer-to-peer fundraising allows supporters to raise money on behalf of a nonprofit.
Instead of asking the organization to make every appeal, supporters create their own fundraising pages and share them with friends, family members, coworkers, and social networks.
For example, someone participating in a charity walk could ask their personal network to sponsor their participation.
This approach can help nonprofits reach people who may not already know about the organization.
Why It Works
People often respond to recommendations from people they know. A supporter sharing a personal reason for supporting a cause can make the fundraising message more relatable.
2. Fundraising Events
Events can bring supporters together while generating revenue for a nonprofit.
Popular options include:
- Charity walks
- Community dinners
- Sports events
- Auctions
- Cultural programs
- Educational events
- Benefit concerts
- Family activities
Events can also create opportunities for local businesses and community members to become involved with the organization.
The key is to choose an event that matches the nonprofit’s mission and audience.
3. Grant Fundraising
Grants can provide funding for specific programs, projects, or organizational needs.
Nonprofits can explore grants from:
- Private foundations
- Government agencies
- Corporate foundations
- Community foundations
- Family foundations
Grant fundraising usually requires careful research and a strong proposal. Organizations may need to explain their mission, project goals, expected results, budget, and community impact.
Although grants can require significant preparation, they can support larger projects that may be difficult to fund through individual donations alone.
4. Corporate Sponsorships
Businesses may support nonprofits through sponsorships, financial contributions, services, or other resources.
A nonprofit could approach local companies with sponsorship opportunities connected to:
- Community events
- Youth programs
- Educational initiatives
- Sports activities
- Awareness campaigns
- Community services
A sponsorship proposal should clearly explain what the business is supporting and what recognition or community visibility may be available.
Building relationships with local businesses can also introduce a nonprofit to new audiences.
5. Matching Gift Programs
Some companies provide employee matching programs that increase the value of eligible charitable contributions.
For example, an employee may donate to a nonprofit, and their employer may match some or all of that contribution according to its program rules.
Nonprofits can encourage supporters to check whether their employers offer matching opportunities.
Simple reminders on donation confirmations, email communications, and fundraising pages can help supporters become aware of this option.
6. Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding allows nonprofits to collect smaller contributions from a large number of people for a specific goal.
A crowdfunding campaign may focus on:
- Emergency relief
- Community projects
- Medical support
- Education
- New facilities
- Equipment
- Special programs
Successful crowdfunding usually depends on a clear story and a specific objective.
Instead of simply asking people to support an organization, the nonprofit can explain what the funding will accomplish and why the project matters.
Visual updates, progress milestones, and supporter sharing can also help a crowdfunding effort reach more people.
7. Text-to-Give Fundraising
Text-to-give allows supporters to contribute using their mobile phones.
A nonprofit can promote a short code, keyword, or other text-based giving method during an event, broadcast, community gathering, or awareness campaign.
This can be particularly useful when supporters are already engaged and want a quick way to contribute.
The exact process depends on the technology provider, but the goal is to reduce the distance between seeing a fundraising appeal and taking action.
8. Charity Auctions
Auctions can combine fundraising with an engaging community experience.
A nonprofit can collect donated items or experiences and offer them through a live or online auction.
Possible auction items include:
- Restaurant packages
- Local experiences
- Artwork
- Sports memorabilia
- Vacation packages
- Professional services
- Gift baskets
Businesses may be willing to donate products or services because the auction gives them an opportunity to support a community cause.
For nonprofits, auctions can create an additional source of revenue without requiring every contribution to come directly from cash donations.
9. Merchandise Fundraising
Selling branded merchandise can give supporters another way to contribute while promoting the nonprofit’s mission.
Common products include:
- T-shirts
- Hoodies
- Hats
- Tote bags
- Mugs
- Stickers
- Community-themed products
Merchandise fundraising works best when the products have a clear connection to the organization’s identity or cause.
Supporters who wear or use these products can also introduce the nonprofit to people who may not have encountered it before.
Organizations should carefully calculate product, printing, shipping, and platform costs before setting prices.
10. Planned Giving
Planned giving allows supporters to include a nonprofit in their long-term financial or estate planning.
Examples can include gifts made through:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Retirement accounts
- Life insurance policies
- Other planned arrangements
This type of fundraising requires careful communication and should be handled with appropriate professional and legal guidance.
Nonprofits can provide general information about planned giving options and encourage interested supporters to speak with their financial or legal advisors.
Because planned gifts can involve long-term decisions, trust and clear communication are especially important.
How to Choose the Right Fundraising Approach
Not every fundraising method will suit every nonprofit.
Before selecting an approach, consider:
Your Supporter Base
Think about who already supports your organization. Their age, interests, location, professional connections, and online behavior can influence which methods are practical.
Your Fundraising Goal
A small community project may need a different approach from a large capital project.
Define the amount you need and what the funds will support before choosing a method.
Your Available Resources
Consider how much staff time, volunteer support, technology, and budget you can dedicate to the fundraising effort.
Your Community
Local events and business sponsorships may work well for community-focused organizations, while online methods may help organizations reach supporters across different locations.
Your Mission
The fundraising method should feel natural for your cause. A fundraising activity that connects clearly with your mission can be easier for supporters to understand and share.
Why Nonprofits Should Use More Than One Method
Depending on one fundraising method can create challenges when donor behavior, economic conditions, or community interests change.
Using several fundraising solutions gives nonprofits more ways to connect with supporters.
For example, an organization might combine grants for major programs, corporate sponsorships for events, peer-to-peer fundraising for community activities, and merchandise sales for ongoing support.
The goal is not to use every possible method. Instead, nonprofits should build a fundraising mix that fits their mission, resources, and audience.
Using Technology to Support Fundraising
Technology can make many fundraising activities easier to organize.
A nonprofit may use digital tools to manage campaigns, collect contributions, track fundraising activity, communicate with supporters, and monitor results.
The technology should support the fundraising strategy rather than become the strategy itself.
Organizations should choose tools that are easy for staff and volunteers to use and that can grow as fundraising activities expand.
How Just Bestow Can Help
Just Bestow provides digital fundraising tools designed to help nonprofit organizations manage their online fundraising activities.
Nonprofits can create fundraising campaigns, collect contributions, and monitor fundraising activity through the platform.
For organizations exploring different fundraising solutions, having a centralized digital platform can provide a foundation for managing online fundraising while allowing teams to focus on their individual campaigns and programs.
Conclusion
Successful nonprofit fundraising does not have to depend on one method. Peer-to-peer fundraising, events, grants, corporate sponsorships, matching gifts, crowdfunding, text-to-give, auctions, merchandise, and planned giving can each serve different purposes.
The right fundraising solutions depend on the nonprofit’s mission, audience, goals, resources, and community.
Rather than trying every option at once, organizations can start with a few methods that match their existing strengths and gradually expand their fundraising activities.
With thoughtful planning and the right technology, nonprofits can create more opportunities to connect with supporters and fund the work that matters most. Just Bestow can support organizations with digital tools for creating campaigns, collecting contributions, and managing fundraising activity in one place.