Customizable Fundraising Pages: Make It Yours
Many platforms let you design a page that reflects your organization’s unique identity. This personalization helps create a more memorable experience for your donors.
For example, add your logo, choose your colors, and write a compelling message that resonates with your audience. By aligning the page with your brand, you make it easier for donors to connect with your cause.
Custom pages also allow you to tell your story in a way that feels authentic. The more personal and aligned the page feels with your mission, the more likely donors are to give.
Event Fundraising: Double the Impact with Online and In-Person Giving
Why choose one way to raise money when you can do both? Imagine an Event that’s full of energy—whether it’s a glamorous gala, a fun Auction, or a virtual bash—where online giving flows just like in-person donations.
With the right tools, you can sync registration, ticket sales, and donations all in one place! Guests can grab tickets, donate on the spot, and even bid on Auction items—all in real-time! It’s an interactive, high-energy experience that makes giving simple and fun.
This approach is an excellent way to raise money fast while reaching a broader audience.

Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Let Your Supporters Do the Work for You
Want to expand your reach and raise even more money for your cause? Peer-to-Peer fundraising is the perfect way to do it!
This strategy lets your supporters create their own personal fundraising pages for your campaign. They can share their pages with family, friends, and followers.
Peer-to-Peer is a way to fundraise money for your cause through personal networks. The more people involved, the bigger your impact.
With Peer-to-Peer fundraising, each personal page acts as a mini campaign, spreading the word about your cause and encouraging donations. It’s like having a team of passionate fundraisers working for you, making it easier to reach new donors and raise more funds.
So, let your community help you out and watch your fundraising grow!
Partner Up for Greater Impact
Want to take your campaign even further? Build partnerships with established nonprofits, organizations or influencers. These partnerships can give your cause a huge jump in credibility and exposure, allowing you to raise money faster. When trusted organizations or influencers share your campaign, their followers take notice. It’s a fast way to expand your reach and tap into new donor pools, making it easier to raise money for a good cause.
By teaming up, you can also pool resources, collaborate on content, and create joint promotions. This not only raises awareness but also builds trust with potential donors. So, don’t be shy—reach out!
Collaborate with Influencers
Whether they have thousands or millions of followers, influencers can share your campaign in a way that feels personal and authentic.
After all, 92% of consumers trust influencer recommendations over brand advertisements, making influencer-generated content highly persuasive.
Work with influencers who align with your values. They can post about your fundraiser, encourage donations, and even host live Events or challenges. The result? More visibility, more donations, and more excitement surrounding your campaign.
Make it easy for influencers to share by providing ready-to-go content. The easier you make it for them, the more likely they’ll be to help spread the word.
If you’re wondering about the best way to raise money for your campaign, influencer partnerships are a strong option.
Keep the Momentum Going
Don’t let your campaign end with the last donation. Keep the momentum going! Send out thank-you notes to your supporters. Show them exactly how their contributions made a difference. You can create an impact report or a campaign recap that highlights key achievements. This shows them the real-world effects of their generosity.
This follow-up is critical for building long-term relationships. It’s about keeping your community involved and excited for the next campaign.
Top-performing nonprofits have achieved a donor retention rate of nearly 70% by actively investing in relationship-building activities, leading to consistent support. But why, you may ask?
Larger nonprofits typically have better donor retention rates because they have more resources to maintain relationships. In contrast, smaller nonprofits may face challenges in keeping donors, often due to reliance on major donors or the absence of recurring giving programs.
Think about it: recurring donors are more likely to advocate for your nonprofit to family, colleagues, and friends. This way, they amplify your fundraising cause through word-of-mouth promotion.

Donor Stewardship: Keep the Relationship Strong After the Campaign
Fundraising doesn’t stop when the campaign ends. The real work begins in maintaining the relationship with your donors. Donor stewardship is all about keeping your supporters engaged long after they’ve donated. Send personalized notes to show your appreciation. Keep them updated with progress reports and success stories about how their contributions are making a difference.
Lori Gusdorf, Executive Vice President of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy, said: “The challenge as I see it is to understand what separates high-performing organizations from those that struggled…. What did they do that differentiated them from those that saw significant declines in giving?”
It’s clear that large, repeat donors play a significant role in keeping fundraising totals up. So, stewardship of major donors is a must. However, relying too heavily on just a few big donors can make a nonprofit more vulnerable. If one of these major donors decides to give their money elsewhere, the nonprofit could face a significant loss.
Plan for regular engagement—send out impact reports or host special events for loyal donors.
By keeping your supporters in the loop, you’ll build long-term relationships. This ongoing communication makes donors feel valued and strengthens their connection to your cause.
Don’t let their generosity fade away; keep the momentum alive!
5 Models of Structuring Fundraising Strategies
The Donor Life Cycle
This model outlines the journey of a donor’s relationship with your organization:
- Acquisition: Finding new donors through outreach, events, and campaigns.
- Cultivation: Building a relationship with donors through communication, engagement, and stewardship.
- Solicitation: Asking for donations in a way that resonates with the donor’s interests.
- Stewardship: Thanking, updating, and continuing to engage donor’s post-gift to ensure long-term support.
- Renewal: Encouraging donors to continue giving year after year.
Use it to: Identify the best way to raise funds for charity at each stage of the donor relationship.
Appeals methods
- Logos: Appeal to logic and facts.
- Ethos: Appeal to credibility and trust.
- Pathos: Appeal to emotion and empathy.
Use it to: Craft powerful storytelling and campaign messaging.
The Giving Ladder
This model visualizes the steps for increasing donor contributions over time:
- Step 1: First-time small donation.
- Step 2: Repeat donation at the same or higher level.
- Step 3: Increase donation frequency or amount.
- Step 4: Major gift or planned giving.
- Step 5: Legacy donor or estate planning.
Use it to: Identify strategies to move donors up the ladder and increase their lifetime value. If you’re wondering how to raise money for a cause in the long term, this model is key.
The 20/30/50 Rule
- Major Donors: The 20% who contribute the bulk of funds.
- Mid-Level Donors: The next 30% give moderate amounts.
- Base-Level Donors: 50% contribute small, regular gifts.
Use it to: Focus on nurturing relationships with major donors while still engaging and growing the base-level donors. Remember, raise money for a cause by building a balanced donor base.
The Trust Triangle
This model is illustrating the three critical factors for building donor trust:
- Credibility: Your organization’s reputation, transparency, and effectiveness.
- Competence: The ability to deliver on your promises and make a tangible impact.
- Care: Demonstrating a genuine commitment to the donor’s values and goals.
Use it to: Strengthen your messaging by focusing on these three pillars of trust. The best way to raise money is through trust-building and solid relationships.
Storytelling: The Heart of Fundraising
Want to inspire more donations? Tell a great story!
Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in fundraising. A compelling narrative about your cause can connect emotionally with donors and drive them to act. Share the journey, the people, and the impact of your work. Make it personal. Show what’s at stake and why it matters.
Here’s a tip: start with a hook. Grab attention with a powerful opening, then take your supporters through a story they can relate to. Include real-life examples, challenges, and triumphs. The more vivid the story, the more likely people are to engage and give.
Keep it authentic. People support causes they believe in—and they believe in stories that feel real and relatable. If you’re asking how to raise money fast, storytelling is one of the most effective tools to do so.

Multilingual Campaigns for Global Reach
Running a fundraising campaign for an international audience? Awesome! But don’t forget to adapt your strategy for global success. One of the keys to reaching a wider audience is offering multilingual options. Adding different language versions of your campaign page helps break down language barriers and invites more people to donate.
For international donations, make sure your platform supports multiple currencies and payment methods. This ensures donors from anywhere in the world can contribute easily. You want your campaign to feel local, no matter where your donors are.
Data-Driven Fundraising: Track, Analyze, and Optimize
Use data! Tracking and analyzing your campaign’s performance gives you the insights you need to improve. Every donation, every click, every share can be a valuable data point.
With the right tools, you can measure what’s working and what’s not. This allows you to adjust your strategies in real time. Want more donations? See which efforts are driving the most traffic and double down on them. Not getting the engagement you hoped for? Tweak your messaging or your ask.
Data helps you optimize every step of your campaign. It turns ordinary fundraising into extraordinary fundraising.
Diversifying Funding Sources for Nonprofits
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. A diversified funding strategy is a solution for long-term success. While one revenue stream might bring in donations, combining several can significantly magnify your fundraising efforts.
A study by Nonprofit Hub suggests that nonprofits should aim for no more than 20% of their income to come from any single source, excluding individual donations.
Another research from Stanford Social Innovation Review indicates that over 90% of large U.S. nonprofits (with revenues over $50 million) derive the majority of their income from a single revenue category, averaging 90% of total revenue.
Essentially, their financial stability is largely tied to just one type of funding—whether it’s government grants, corporate sponsorships, or donations from a few large donors. This leaves them highly dependent on just one source and can create risks if that revenue stream were to be disrupted or reduced.
For example, you might host a fundraising gala for high-level donors, launch a Crowdfunding campaign for grassroots support, and apply for grants to back specific projects. At the same time, you could secure corporate sponsorships to keep funds flowing.
By diversifying, you protect your campaign from unexpected shifts and keep your revenue steady. You also open up more opportunities for different donors to get involved.
Diversifying isn’t just smart—it’s indispensable for creating a trustworthy fundraising model. Having a well-rounded fundraising strategy is the best way to raise money!
How to Mix Revenue Streams
If you want your nonprofit to thrive, relying on just one funding source isn’t enough. To keep the momentum going, you need a mix of revenue streams. Here are the top six funding sources to help you grow and sustain your mission:
1. Individual Donations
Individual donations are the heart of many nonprofits. From one-time gifts to monthly donations, these gifts keep you going. Focus on building strong, personal relationships with your supporters.
Example: A local animal rescue organization receives ongoing support from individual donors through a combination of one-time donations and a monthly giving program. They run an online campaign encouraging people to “Sponsor a Pet” for $20 per month.
2. Grants
Grants are a solid way to fund specific programs or projects. Foundations, government agencies, and private organizations offer funding for nonprofits. The process can be competitive though, but if you make strong proposals, grants can bring in large sums.
Example: A youth mentorship nonprofit applies for a grant from a national foundation that funds educational initiatives.
3. Corporate Sponsorships
Corporate sponsorships are a win-win. Companies are often willing to sponsor Events or offer matching gifts to their employees. These partnerships bring in money while increasing your visibility. When a business backs your cause, they share it with their networks, expanding your reach.
Example: A nonprofit hosting an annual 5K run partners with a local tech company for corporate sponsorship. The company provides a large donation in exchange for branding at the Event, social media mentions, and logo placement on race t-shirts.
Corporate support comes in many forms, each offering unique ways to strengthen your nonprofit’s mission.
- Philanthropic Donations
Just like individual donations, these are no-strings-attached contributions from companies.
- Event Sponsorship
This is short-term support tied to a specific Event, like a charity gala or 5K run. Companies contribute money in exchange for brand visibility during the Event.
- Cause Marketing
A longer-term partnership where companies align their brand with your cause. They promote your nonprofit in their marketing campaigns, driving awareness and support.
- Pro Bono Services
Companies offer their professional expertise and services for free. This could include legal advice, marketing support, or IT services—anything that helps reduce your operational costs.
- Matching Gifts
Corporate matching gift programs double the impact of donations made by employees. When an employee donates, the company matches the gift.
- Paid Release Days
Some companies give employees paid time off to volunteer. This allows staff to contribute to your cause during work hours, offering valuable hands-on help without losing income.
- In-Kind Gifts
Instead of cash, companies donate products or services. This can include anything from office supplies to technology, helping you reduce expenses.
- Check-Out Campaigns
Customers donate to your cause while shopping. At the register, shoppers can round up their bill or add a small donation to support your mission.
4. Fundraising Events
Events like galas are a fun way to raise money for a cause and connect with your community. They also help create excitement around your cause. Combine your Events with online donations for even more reach. The more people involved, the more donations you’ll receive.
Example: A children’s hospital organizes a yearly charity gala, complete with a silent Auction, live entertainment, and a fundraising dinner. They integrate an online donation page that allows guests to give in real-time during the Event. The hospital also promotes the Event on social media to increase participation from supporters who can’t attend in person.

5. Membership Programs
Membership programs give you a regular, steady income. In exchange for a membership fee, your supporters get exclusive perks like early access to Events or special content. These programs create a loyal group of donors who stay connected and engaged. When they feel part of your community, they’ll keep giving.
Example: A local museum creates a membership program that offers tiered benefits: basic members receive free entry for one year, while premium members get VIP Event access and invitations to exclusive exhibitions.
6. In-Kind Donations
Not all gifts are cash. In-kind donations are non-monetary gifts, like goods, services, or volunteer time. Local businesses might donate supplies, or professionals might offer pro bono services. These donations lower your costs and stretch your fundraising dollars.
Example: A food bank partners with local grocery stores, restaurants, and farms to receive in-kind donations of food and supplies. A local company donates their warehouse space for free, reducing overhead costs. Volunteers donate thousands of hours annually to sort and distribute food, ensuring that more funds can go toward purchasing additional food for the community.
7. Alumni & Volunteers
Don’t overlook the power of your alumni and volunteers. Alumni and volunteers are often some of your most loyal supporters.
For example, a university could engage alumni by promoting a “giving day” where graduates contribute back to their alma mater. They can do so through an online campaign with easy donation links.
Volunteers, too, can become major contributors in the long term. Many volunteers feel a deep connection to your cause and may want to offer financial support once they’ve seen firsthand the work you’re doing. By staying in touch and offering meaningful ways for them to get involved, you can turn these loyal supporters into donors.
Engage with these groups and turn them into long-term donors by keeping them informed, involved, and appreciated. This is one way to raise money for a cause that will generate long-term support.
8. Capital Campaigns & Text-to-Give
Capital campaigns are ideal for raising funds for major, long-term projects like building a new facility or expanding services. For example, a local animal shelter might run a capital campaign to raise funds for a new adoption center. They could target large donations from major supporters and show potential donors the tangible impact of their contributions, such as naming opportunities for rooms or buildings.
Example: A university is launching a capital campaign to raise $5 million for a new campus building. They target major donors and alumni, offering recognition on donor walls and naming rights for larger contributions.
Capital campaigns often run for a few years, allowing nonprofits to reach out to multiple donor segments for support. If your nonprofit has a big goal, this is the best way to raise money.
Text-to-Give is a quick and easy way to collect donations, especially at Events. For instance, a nonprofit hosting a charity run could display a simple “Text [KEYWORD] to [NUMBER]” sign.
Attendees can text in donations from their phones in seconds. A campaign might also use Text-to-Give for emergency fund drives, encouraging people to donate on the spot during a live broadcast.
Keep in mind that it takes an average of 90 seconds to respond to a text message, compared to 90 minutes for email, and that over 50% of people visit nonprofit websites on their mobile devices.
Example: A disaster relief organization sets up a Text-to-Give campaign during a national emergency. By texting “GIVE” to a short code, donors can contribute $10 instantly via their phone bill.
This method is perfect for reaching busy supporters who may not be able to attend in person but still want to contribute. It’s fast, easy, and accessible. It’s great for Events or campaigns, especially when paired with social media. This is a quick way to raise donations for charity and get people engaged right away.
By tapping into these funding sources, you’ll create a strong, sustainable financial model for your nonprofit. Diversifying your revenue streams means more stability and more opportunities!
Planned Giving
This advanced fundraising technique lets donors commit to contributing in the future, often through bequests, retirement funds, or life insurance.
For example, a donor might include your nonprofit in their will, directing a portion of their estate to your cause. Or, they could designate your organization as a beneficiary of their life insurance policy. Some donors might also choose to contribute part of their retirement funds, like an IRA or 401(k). These types of gifts ensure ongoing support for years to come and allow your donors to leave a meaningful legacy.
Planned gifts are significantly larger than annual donations. A typical planned gift is 200 to 300 times the size of a donor’s largest annual gift. Also, bequests are the most common form of planned giving and have shown resilience, with a 4.8% increase in the previous year, totaling over $42.68 billion.
By offering options like legacy donations, you show them how their contribution can live on, making them feel connected to your cause for years to come.

Donor-Centric Fundraising
Individual Donations
To raise money for a cause, it’s important to connect with both major and regular donors. Start by understanding your donors. Who are they? What motivates them? Identify your top contributors and tailor your approach. Don’t forget about regular donors—they’re the backbone of your campaign.
For major donors, build strong relationships. Over a five-year period, the average nonprofit can see a 127% increase in recurring donors, as stats show. Recent data also indicates a decline in the number of donors across various categories, except for “supersize” donors (gifts over $50,000), which remained stable.
Recurring Donations
Want a steady stream of funding? Focus on recurring donations! Instead of relying on one-time gifts, recurring donations create reliable income over time.
The average donor retention rate for nonprofits is approximately 50%, meaning half of the donor base may need to be replaced every year.
Nonprofit organizations often focus on keeping their current donors because attracting new ones can be expensive. It can take up to 2 years to recover the costs of recruiting a first-time donor, as initial donations are usually smaller than the marketing expenses.
So, offer donors the option to set up monthly or yearly donations. This gives them an easy way to stay involved while providing your organization with predictable support. Make it simple to sign up and track their contributions.
By securing recurring donations, you build a foundation for the future.
Cross-Platform Fundraising
Are you wondering how to raise money expertly? Go multi-channel!
Running a cross-platform campaign means using different platforms to engage more donors and raise more funds. Think social media, email marketing, Crowdfunding sites, and even your own website. By spreading your efforts across various channels, you increase visibility and make it easier for supporters to donate however they prefer.
For example, you could launch a Crowdfunding campaign on platforms like RallyUp, promote it on your social media channels like Instagram and Facebook, and follow up with personalized emails to your existing supporters. You might even integrate donation options and offer special incentives through text messaging or WhatsApp.
To keep track of all your efforts and manage donor data, you can integrate popular CRM and donor management tools like Salesforce or Bloomerang. These tools help you store donor information, track engagement, and streamline communications.
But there’s a balance. While a multi-channel approach can reach more people, it can also lead to overlapping messages or extra management time. Ensure your platforms are all working together, not against each other. Track what’s working best on each channel and double down on those strategies.

Corporate Giving and Tiered Rewards
Use corporate giving programs, especially matching gift opportunities, to raise donations for charity. Many companies match employee donations, doubling the impact of individual contributions. For example, if a donor gives $100, their employer might match that donation, bringing the total to $200.
But that’s not all—consider offering tiered rewards for different donation levels. Let’s say a $50 donation could earn a handwritten thank-you note, while a $250 donation might come with a personalized plaque. For higher amounts like $1,000, offer exclusive access to Events or a special shoutout on your Campaign Page. These incentives make donors feel valued and encourage larger contributions.
With corporate matching and donor incentives, you tap into a broader donor base and increase overall participation. It’s a powerful strategy for larger campaigns or nonprofits looking to expand their reach and raise money for a cause!
Funding Model
Last but not least, a solid funding model is about creating a mix of different funding sources that will support your mission.
One nonprofit might get 50% of its funding from grants, 30% from Events, and 20% from membership programs. Another might rely on major donors for 70% of its income, with the rest coming from Events and direct mail. The beauty of a funding model is that it provides structure and consistency for your revenue.
By diversifying your funding sources—whether through grants, Events, or donor programs—you build a stable financial foundation for your nonprofit. This is the best way to raise money and to ensure that your organization isn’t reliant on one single income stream.