Technology has changed the way nonprofit organizations raise funds, communicate with supporters, and so much more. That means nonprofits like yours need strategies that keep up with technological trends. Hence the need for online fundraisers.
But how exactly do you launch a successful online fundraiser? Online fundraising programs are instrumental in helping analyze your donor data and segment supporters, but you’ll still need some fresh campaign ideas to increase engagement.
Let’s dig into why online fundraising is so crucial, plus 15 ideas to spark creativity and help you raise more money.
What is digital fundraising?
Online fundraising, also known as digital fundraising, is a type of fundraising that involves raising money via digital campaign tactics. These online strategies can include anything from mobile giving to peer-to-peer fundraising and even virtual galas.
Online fundraising is crucial for nonprofit organizations because it allows you to expand your reach and, in turn, your donation potential. With online fundraisers, you can connect with prospective donors and collect funds anytime, anywhere.
15 online fundraising ideas for nonprofits
Nonprofits are increasingly turning to online fundraising strategies to connect with donors, expand their reach, and secure vital funding for their missions. Here are 15 ideas for how to raise money online with digital fundraising.
1. Online donation pages
A user-friendly and secure online donation page design is the cornerstone of any successful digital fundraising strategy. This is where potential donors will ultimately interact with your nonprofit and make their contributions, so a positive and seamless giving experience is crucial.
Your donation page should be easy to navigate, with clear and compelling calls to action that guide visitors through the donation process. Simply put, you’ll want to minimize any unnecessary steps or distractions that could deter donors from completing their gift.
For example, charity: water opted for an introductory statement on their donation page that addresses supporters’ concerns about how nonprofits use funds while inspiring them to give.
2. Pledge drives
Pledge drives are a powerful way to cultivate recurring donations and build a sustainable stream of support. By allowing donors to pledge a specific amount over a defined period, you create a predictable revenue stream and foster a deeper connection with your supporters.
Pledge drives can be particularly effective for funding ongoing programs or initiatives that require consistent financial support. When implementing a pledge drive, make the process easy and transparent for donors. To accommodate different giving capacities, offer various pledge options such as monthly, quarterly, or annual contributions.
For instance, when setting up your pledge drive online, consider using a platform that allows donors to easily manage their pledges. You could also offer a “Pledge Level Recognition” program where donors at different giving levels receive special recognition.
3. Peer-to-peer fundraising
Peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising empowers your supporters to become advocates for your cause and raise money on your behalf. This approach leverages the personal networks of your existing donors to expand your reach and tap into new sources of funding.
P2P campaigns can be particularly effective for special events, like marathons or birthdays, where individuals are motivated to rally their friends and family to support a cause they care about.
For example, walk-and-run events like the Paws for the Cause 5K make for popular and exciting peer-to-peer campaigns. Volunteers register to participate in these races and then collect donations in the weeks leading up to the event.
4. Text-to-give campaigns
Text-to-give campaigns offer a convenient way for donors to contribute to your mission using their mobile phones. This method simplifies the donation process by allowing individuals to make a gift with a simple text message.
For example, some organizations use a text-to-donate platform that provides fundraiser-specific keywords for givers to text to one central short code.
Clearly communicate the donation amount associated with the keyword (and don’t forget to provide instructions on how to opt in and opt out of the service).
5. Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding platforms allow you to tell your story, showcase your project, and solicit donations from a broad audience. Crowdfunding can be particularly effective for time-bound campaigns with a clear fundraising goal, such as an emergency fundraiser.
Use visuals, such as photos and videos, to bring your story to life and engage your audience, as well as offer different donation levels with corresponding rewards or incentives to encourage participation.
6. eCard campaigns
eCard campaigns offer a unique and engaging way to connect with donors and encourage giving. Essentially, eCard programs allow supporters to support your organization while sending personalized digital cards to friends and family for various occasions, such as birthdays, holidays, or thank yous.
Don’t forget to thank donors for their participation and share stories about the impact of their contributions, which can empower them to become advocates.
7. Social media contests
Social media contests and challenges are excellent tools for boosting engagement and driving donations. Not only do these campaigns capture the attention of your followers, but they also increase brand visibility and generate excitement around your cause.
Offering enticing prizes or rewards can motivate people to participate and share your content, expanding your reach to a wider audience. For maximum impact, carefully plan your contest timeline, leverage relevant hashtags, and clearly communicate the rules and how to make donations.
For example, a children’s literacy organization could run a “Read-a-Thon” contest on Instagram and use the hashtag #ReadForTheFuture.
8. Email campaigns
Email campaigns remain a powerful tool for cultivating donor relationships and soliciting donations. Targeted email communication allows you to personalize your messaging, share compelling stories, and keep your supporters informed about your nonprofit’s work.
Email marketing can be used to promote fundraising events, announce new initiatives, or express gratitude to your supporters. Using a donor database, simply segment your email list based on demographics, giving history, or interests, and then tailor your appeals for each custom audience.
9. GivingTuesday campaigns
GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Nonprofits can harness the collective generosity of this day by creating dedicated GivingTuesday campaigns that inspire support and raise awareness for their cause.
To maximize impact, plan and promote campaigns early, and use social media, email, and websites to generate excitement. Incorporating matching gift challenges or other incentives can further motivate giving.
10. Corporate partnerships
Collaborating with businesses can be a mutually beneficial way to secure sponsorships and matching gifts, expand your fundraising reach, and build valuable relationships.
Many companies are eager to partner with nonprofits whose missions align with their corporate values, creating opportunities for both financial support and brand enhancement.
Sponsorships can range from event sponsorships to program support, while matching gift programs encourage employee giving by matching their donations to eligible nonprofits.
11. Online auctions
Online auctions offer a fun and engaging way to raise funds by allowing supporters to bid on a variety of items or experiences.
Hosting auctions can generate excitement and friendly competition, encouraging higher bids and maximizing fundraising potential. Online auctions also eliminate the need for a physical venue, making them cost-effective and more widely accessible.
For example, you could auction unique artwork, vacation packages, gift certificates, and exclusive experiences. The key is to tailor items to your specific donor base.
12. Charity raffles
Charity raffles offer a simple yet effective way to raise funds by allowing participants to purchase tickets for a chance to win a prize. These campaigns can generate excitement and encourage widespread participation, as the low cost of entry makes them accessible to a broad audience.
Online raffles eliminate the need for physical tickets and streamline the process of purchasing and tracking entries. Offer a range of prizes, from gift baskets and electronics to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, tailoring them to your donor base and available resources.
13. Virtual galas
Virtual galas are a sophisticated small fundraising idea to better connect with your supporters, provide entertainment, and raise funds, all from the comfort of their own homes.
These online events can replicate many of the elements of a traditional gala, including entertainment, guest speakers, and networking opportunities, but with the added benefit of broader accessibility and reduced overhead costs.
14. Sponsored events
Sponsored events can range from marathons and bike rides to bake-offs and head-shaving challenges. These events not only generate crucial funding but also raise awareness for your cause and foster a sense of community among your supporters.
Encourage friendly competition by setting fundraising milestones and offering incentives for top fundraisers, like public recognition and special awards.
For example, a local animal shelter could set specific milestones, like a “Pawsitive Partner” level for those who raise $100 or more and a “Top Dog” award for the individual who raises the most money.
15. Matching gifts
Matching gift programs are a great opportunity to double or even triple individual donations to your nonprofit. Many companies encourage employee giving by matching their contributions to eligible nonprofits, effectively amplifying the impact of their generosity.
Promoting matching gift programs is crucial for maximizing this often-untapped source of funding. To secure matching gifts, provide easy access to information about matching gift eligibility on your website and through dedicated matching gift databases.
The benefits of digital fundraising
By leveraging the power of online tactics, nonprofits and other groups can expand their reach, reduce costs, and enhance donor engagement. Here are just some of the ways online fundraising can benefit your nonprofit:
- Increased reach: The most obvious benefit of online fundraising is the ability to connect with donors beyond your immediate community. Not only does this increase your potential for donations, but greater funding also allows you to amplify your mission and community impact.
- Cost-effective: Compared to traditional in-person fundraising events, digital fundraising significantly reduces overhead costs. Nonprofits can minimize expenses associated with venue rentals, catering, printed materials, and staffing.
- Convenience for donors: Online platforms make giving quick, easy, and accessible for donors to help maximize your donation potential. With just a few clicks, individuals can contribute anytime, anywhere, using their preferred payment method.
- Real-time progress tracking: Digital fundraising also makes it much easier to accurately track donations in real-time. You can monitor pledges and major gifts as they come in and even allow donors to see the immediate impact of their contributions.
- Improved personalization: Online tools allow organizations to segment their audience and tailor communication to specific donor groups. This personalized approach strengthens donor relationships and encourages repeat giving.
Tips for raising money with online fundraising software
Online giving is quick, easy, accessible, and cost-effective. However, the right software can make or break your fundraising events. Here are some tips to set and achieve your fundraising goals using a digital fundraising tool.
- Try a peer-to-peer campaign: Peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising campaigns are a great way to expand your organization’s capacity. Recruit volunteers from your database of supporters, then provide your peer fundraisers with easy-to-share communication tools.
- Promote recurring gifts: Recurring gifts are a great way to build stability and predictable revenue. If your goal is to grow your recurring giving program, customize your online donation page to promote your recurring giving program and include a clear option for turning a one-time donation into a monthly gift.
- Use pre-built templates: Customize pre-built templates with your organization’s branding, including color scheme, fonts, and logo, so that every donation page you create from those templates is on-brand and ready to use.
- Include suggested donation amounts: Include suggested donation amounts and pair them with tangible impacts. For example, you could say something like, “$25 can provide a week’s worth of groceries for a family in need” or “a one-time donation of $50 can help plant 10 trees in the community.”
- Update donors: Remind donors of your nonprofit’s mission on the donation page itself, and don’t forget to update them on the impact they made. Seeing the impact of their donation can incentivize them to make recurring or even major donor gifts.
Boost your fundraising strategy with the right software solution
When you prioritize online fundraisers and have the right support from your software, you can develop your nonprofit’s presence, reach more supporters with more tailored messages, and drive more donors to give — all while streamlining your work.
Robust online fundraising software can streamline your efforts, from managing donations and tracking progress to engaging donors and automating communications. Don’t let outdated methods hold you back — empower your organization with the tools it needs to thrive in the digital age.
Online fundraising FAQ
What is the best online fundraiser?
The best online fundraiser ultimately depends on your specific mission and target audience. However, popular options include building an online donation page, creating a GivingTuesday campaign, and organizing pledge drives.
How do I set up an online fundraiser?
Follow these steps to set up an online fundraiser:
- Step 1: Choose a hosting platform.
- Step 2: Explain your cause. Craft a compelling narrative explaining your cause and why people should donate.
- Step 3: Set a goal. Determine a realistic fundraising target.
- Step 4: Spread the word. Share your fundraiser link on social media, email, and with your network.
Which online fundraising site is best?
The “best” online fundraising site depends on your organization’s specific needs and goals. However, Bonterra stands out as a powerful solution for organizations looking to scale their impact. Its comprehensive suite of fundraising tools, including robust peer-to-peer functionality and integrated communication, streamlines operations and expands reach.
What are the best fundraising channels?
Email, mobile giving, social media, and direct mail are some of the best fundraising channels for increasing donations, although the right channel will depend on your specific needs and campaigns.
