Grants are great for your nonprofit… until you have to justify paying staff or administrative overhead.
Unrestricted Funds
are what you have been looking for
Your nonprofit should have a healthy mix of funding sources. This means that there should be some variety in how you receive donations.
A short list of ways nonprofits can raise money (that doesn’t include grants):
– Fundraising Events
– Peer to Peer Fundraising
– Fundraising Campaigns
– Corporate Sponsorships
– Major Gifts
– Membership Programs
Let’s dive into one at a time..
Fundraising Events
Create a memorable event that that attracts new supporters and raises important funds for your nonprofit.
First: Brainstorm an event that is in line with your mission and fun for the community.
Next: Create a planning committee and designate roles (ie: sponsorship, marketing, volunteer coordination)
Then: Secure sponsorships, sell tickets and throw an amazing event.
Finally: Follow up with all attendees and sponsors following the event. Share photos + your gratitude for their support.
Peer to Peer Fundraising
Show your biggest supporters how to fundraise for you.
This can look like a birthday fundraiser on Facebook or creating a personal fundraising page for an athletic event.
First: Select a date, anniversary, birthday or event
Next: Provide your supporters with detailed instructions and encouragement in creating their campaign. Show them how to set it up and teach them how to ask their friends to support.
Then: Provide support throughout the campaign
Finally: Thank the supporter who made the peer to peer campaign. Do something special to show them how much you appreciate them.
Fundraising Campaigns
Do you ever wonder if people read your year-end campaign letter or if it ends up in the trash?
First: Think outside the box
Next: Create a fundraiser that stands out, but is also VERY clear as to where the money is going and what the impact is that it makes
Then: Run the campaign, send the emails, sponsor the social media posts and ASK ASK ASK
Finally: Thank supporters and make sure to include messaging that describes how the money will be used.
BONUS: Follow up 3-6 months later with a story of how the money raised from that campaign impacted the community.
Corporate Sponsorships
Create meaningful partnerships with likeminded businesses. Stop cold calling big companies.
First: Write a list of local businesses who you already work with, alongside or those that have a similar mission, interest, or demographic of customers.
Next: Meet them!! For coffee, lunch, a zoom.. whatever.. make the connection
Then: Keep in touch, invite them to come out to see your programs in action.
Finally: Inform them of the fundraising event and how sponsorship will benefit THEM
Major Gifts
Do you have some key supporters who are capable of giving more, you just have never asked them?
First: Create a list of your top supporters. These are folks who donate year after year, attend events and bring their friends. They talk about your organization constantly in their social circles and maybe even give you a hug when they see you. These are your people!
Next: Have lunch, coffee, etc and find out WHY they love your nonprofit so much.
Then: Tell them how a large donation could support their goals (what they just told you.. their why).
Finally: Follow up and collect your major gift.
Membership Programs
Imagine having recurring, regular donations.. it is possible!
First: Create a membership program that gets people excited about the impact they are making on the community with their regular donation.
Next: Strategize some “perks” for donors
Then: Promote your program, focusing on the impact the money raised will make (use the perks as a bonus)
Finally: Ask donors to opt in for automatic renewal of this membership program.
If you are looking for guidance in implementing any of these fundraising strategies for your nonprofit, let’s chat.
