Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofits are essential for creating sustainable funding streams and increasing donor engagement in 2025. As donor expectations shift and technology continues to evolve, nonprofits must adapt by using innovative methods to connect with their supporters. In this article, we’ll explore five effective fundraising ideas for nonprofits that can help boost engagement and revenue.
One of the most powerful fundraising ideas for nonprofits is peer-to-peer fundraising, where supporters raise money on behalf of your organization by leveraging their personal networks. This method not only broadens your reach but also strengthens the community aspect of your fundraising efforts.
Example: Claire's Place Foundation
Claire's Place Foundation, dedicated to providing emotional and financial support to families living with cystic fibrosis, runs a successful peer-to-peer fundraising campaign each year. Their “Glow Ride” event, a nighttime bike ride, allows participants to raise funds by promoting the event to their networks, ultimately generating significant support for their cause.
To maximize the potential of peer-to-peer fundraising:
Encourage participants to create personal fundraising pages.
Share success stories to inspire others to join.
Offer incentives to top fundraisers to foster competition and engagement.
Corporate matching gifts are an often underutilized yet highly effective fundraising strategy. With matching gifts, companies match their employees’ charitable donations, effectively doubling or even tripling the contribution to your nonprofit.
Example: PepsiCo's Matching Gift Program
PepsiCo’s matching gift program allows employees to double their donations up to $10,000 annually. This program has been a crucial source of additional funding for nonprofits, as it encourages employees to give while also leveraging corporate support.
To make the most of matching gift opportunities, nonprofits should:
Clearly promote matching gift programs on donation pages.
Provide easy-to-follow instructions for donors to submit their matching gift requests.
Follow up with donors to remind them of available matching opportunities.
Recurring donations are one of the best fundraising ideas for nonprofits because they create a steady stream of revenue. By encouraging donors to commit to regular monthly or annual donations, nonprofits can build a more predictable financial base.
Example: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – Partners in Hope Program
This program is a powerful recurring giving initiative that invites supporters to make a monthly commitment to help fund the groundbreaking treatment and research for children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases. By becoming a partner, donors provide critical, consistent funding that ensures St. Jude can continue its mission to treat children without ever charging their families for care.
What Makes It Stand Out:
Ongoing Impact: Donors who join the program can contribute as little as $19 per month, making it easy for supporters to make a difference on a consistent basis. The funds go directly toward advancing St. Jude's world-class research and treatment efforts.
Exclusive Recognition: As a thank you, partners receive personalized updates and communications about the impact their donations are making. Donors also receive special recognition in St. Jude’s annual reports and on the hospital’s donor wall.
Incentives for Donors: New partners receive a welcome kit, which includes a St. Jude T-shirt and a personalized thank-you card. This makes supporters feel personally connected to the hospital's mission, increasing their loyalty and engagement over time.
Results:
The program helps St. Jude maintain a steady and reliable funding stream, which is crucial for its operations. Monthly contributions allow the organization to continue its vital work of discovering new treatments and providing hope to families at no cost.
To launch a successful recurring giving program:
Offer flexible donation options (e.g., monthly, quarterly, or yearly).
Highlight the impact of recurring donations in your communications with donors.
Recognize and appreciate recurring donors through thank-you notes or special recognition.
Hybrid events combine the benefits of in-person and virtual experiences, providing greater flexibility for your supporters to participate regardless of their location. This fundraising idea for nonprofits allows you to reach a wider audience while still engaging those who prefer in-person events.
Example: Save the Children's Virtual Gala
Save the Children’s virtual gala allowed participants from across the globe to join in, with interactive elements like live auctions and Q&A sessions with special guests. This hybrid approach not only increased participation but also raised a significant amount of money for the organization's programs.
To organize a successful hybrid event:
Choose a reliable platform for streaming and interaction.
Promote the event through multiple channels (email, social media, and newsletters).
Offer unique experiences for virtual attendees, such as behind-the-scenes tours or digital meetups.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are another excellent fundraising idea for nonprofits. DAFs allow donors to contribute to a fund and recommend grants to specific nonprofits over time. These funds offer both tax advantages and flexibility, making them an attractive option for high-net-worth individuals.
Example: Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Silicon Valley Community Foundation manages billions in assets through DAFs, distributing grants to nonprofits based on the preferences of the fundholders. By connecting with DAF donors, nonprofits can secure large gifts that continue to support their work year after year.
To effectively engage DAF donors:
Develop strong relationships with community foundations that manage DAFs.
Provide clear instructions on how donors can use their DAF to support your organization.
Steward DAF gifts by keeping donors informed about the impact of their contributions.
Incorporating these fundraising ideas for nonprofits can significantly enhance your organization’s ability to raise funds and engage your donor base. Whether through peer-to-peer fundraising, matching gifts, recurring donations, hybrid events, or donor-advised funds, each strategy offers unique opportunities to increase revenue and strengthen your nonprofit's community. As you implement these ideas, remember to keep your donors at the center of your strategy and continually seek innovative ways to engage them.