Fundraisers for Nonprofits: Free and Easy Fundraising Ideas

Another month, another scramble for donations. You launch one crowdfunding campaign after another and still end up $5k short, already worried about next month’s programs.

We get it: fundraising can feel like a frustrating, uncertain grind. This guide covers fundraising ideas beyond the usual donation drives and grants, from corporate matches to peer-to-peer campaigns to renting out space you don’t use.

Along with sample messages and tips to raise more, you’ll see how to build a funding mix that holds up when one source dries up.

Introduction to nonprofit fundraising

Hosting special events can be an extremely effective way for nonprofits to engage donors, raise money and spread awareness of their mission. From charity runs to gala dinners, well-run events can bring in anywhere from several thousand dollars to over $1 million.

It does take careful planning to host a successful nonprofit fundraising event. You need to find venues, recruit volunteers, secure sponsors, market ticket sales and manage the program.

Setting clear metrics for fundraising success

When starting a new fundraising campaign, the first step is to define your goals and how you’ll measure success. Key metrics to track include:

• Total dollar amount you aim to raise
• Number of new donors you hope to acquire
• Number of repeat donors from past campaigns

Monitoring your progress against these benchmarks shows you what’s working and where to adjust your outreach.

Understanding your donor demographics

Gather insights on your donors’ ages, locations and income levels, and on what motivates them to give to your cause. Then tailor your messaging and channels to each donor segment.

For example, young professionals may respond to social media and peer-to-peer fundraising, while older donors may prefer mail and phone campaigns.

Building donor relationships and trust

At the heart of every successful nonprofit fundraising strategy is a genuine, transparent relationship with donors. Supporters want to feel confident their gifts make an impact, so tell them how their money will be used.

• “Your $100 donation helps feed 40 homeless people for a week.”
• “This month your monthly gift funded the textbooks for an entire 1st grade class.”

Send handwritten thank-you notes, offer tours of the programs donors support and recognize loyal repeat donors. When donors feel invested, they become your champions for years.

How to choose the right fundraiser

Launching a successful nonprofit fundraising campaign takes careful planning, clear metrics, understanding your donors and relationship-building.

Event fundraising ideas

In-person and virtual events can be excellent fundraisers. Events give you a chance to engage donors while raising visibility for your cause.

Charity runs, walks or rides

Participants collect pledges from their network based on the distance they complete. Best practices for these athletic fundraisers include:

• Pick a route connected to your cause, like an Alzheimer’s charity placing memorial mile markers along its walk.
• Offer courses of different lengths (5K, 10K, half marathon) so everyone finds a fit.
• Encourage participants to fundraise online through personal pages on a platform like GiveSmart.
• Make it an annual tradition that supporters and sponsors can count on every year.

Sports tournaments

A charity sports tournament taps people’s love of friendly competition. Golf outings, basketball, softball and flag football are all popular.

• Start planning at least 6 months out to secure fields, recruit teams and get permits.
• Recruit local companies to sponsor teams, with their logos on the uniforms.
• Sell spectator tickets and run raffles, bracket challenges or skills contests between games.

Charity galas and dinners

A formal gala or dinner is a classic way for nonprofits to raise money while supporters enjoy an evening out.

• Ask venues about nonprofit rates to reduce costs.
• Sell sponsored tables seating 8-10 guests, with a VIP level closest to the stage.
• Recruit a well-known local host, like a news anchor, to emcee.
• Hold silent and live auctions of big-ticket items like vacation packages.
• Make an appeal during the gala itself, like “Raise the Paddle,” where guests pledge in real time.

Concerts, festivals and comedy shows

Music festivals, county fairs and comedy nights draw big crowds of all ages. Recruit local musicians, comedians or community theater groups to donate their time, and secure a local business as the presenting sponsor.

Approach a comedy club about donating its venue and talent in exchange for a cut of bar sales. The comedians get new audiences while you keep overhead low.

Whether you expect 50 or 500 attendees, enjoyable events that showcase your mission bring visibility, new partnerships and real dollars raised.

Online and social media fundraising campaigns

Donors love the convenience of giving from anywhere on their phones. Online campaigns also reach new supporters, especially younger people who are active on social media.

Peer-to-peer campaigns

Rather than run every campaign internally, peer-to-peer campaigns let your enthusiastic supporters fundraise on your behalf within their own networks. They create a personal fundraising page, then use email, social posts and in-person asks to collect donations from people they know.

Platforms built for peer-to-peer fundraising include GoFundMe Pro (formerly Classy), Givebutter and Give Lively.

Peer-to-peer works especially well for nonprofits that already have an engaged community. Give your fundraisers clear instructions, suggested posts, photos and videos, plus public recognition for the top fundraisers.

Social media birthday fundraisers

Another idea is to ask supporters to request donations to your nonprofit instead of birthday gifts. Facebook’s built-in fundraiser tool lets them set one up in minutes.

It taps into people’s tendency to be extra generous toward friends on their special day. For big giving days like #GivingTuesday, ask staff and key supporters to fundraise for your cause together.

Donation matching campaigns

Matching gift campaigns are another great idea for giving days. A sponsoring corporation or foundation matches contributions by 50%, 100% or more.

For example, before GivingTuesday your nonprofit could announce: “For every donation made before December 1st, the Taylor Foundation will match it 200%!” The deadline creates urgency, and a credible matching partner adds trust.

Share real-time totals of funds raised and matching dollars to keep momentum going.

Online auctions

It’s easier than ever to host online charity auctions on sites like CharityAuctionsToday and BiddingForGood. You accept online bids and payments, run the auction for a set week, and reach bidders anywhere at a lower cost than a live auction.

Get quality donated items, show them with good photos and descriptions, and promote the auction on social media and email before launch day.

Livestreamed fundraisers

With a livestream on Facebook Live or YouTube, you can broadcast galas, races, concerts and talks to supporters far beyond the room.

During the broadcast, prompt viewers to give through donation links shown on screen. Weave those asks between the stories and visuals people tuned in for.

For any online fundraising campaign, don't just set it and forget it.

Promote it across email, social media and your website. Then check results and fine-tune your messaging during the campaign.

Corporate and foundation fundraising

Beyond individual supporters, grants and sponsorships from corporations and foundations can transform a nonprofit’s fundraising. These institutional gifts often reach five, six or even seven figures.

Corporate sponsorships

Put together custom sponsorship packages at a range of levels, with promotional benefits tied to each one. Entry tiers might offer logo presence at your charity event, while top tiers add exhibits, website banners and social media shout-outs.

Before you pitch, describe the audience your event reaches, then approach companies that want to reach those people. Start with local companies, and put the benefits in writing with a clear event sponsorship agreement.

Workplace giving and company matching gifts

Enable recurring payroll deductions through workplace giving campaigns like United Way, where employees send automatic monthly gifts to the nonprofits they choose.

Many companies also match donations their employees make to eligible 501(c)(3) charities, which can double a gift. Make sure your donors know to request the match.

Shop-to-donate programs

Register your nonprofit with programs like Kroger Community Rewards. When supporters link their shopping accounts, a small share of their normal purchases goes to you at no extra cost.

Foundation grants

Beyond grant listing sites like GrantWatch and Foundation Directory Online, research the giving history and focus areas of foundations close to your mission. Then submit letters of inquiry and applications tailored to each funder’s priorities.

Foundation grants take time, but they often provide the largest single gifts. Don’t get discouraged by rejections along the way.

Show funders your impact

Funders want to know how their money will further your mission. Quantify your past programs’ reach and outcomes, then show how the new funds will grow that impact.

Afterward, steward them with prompt updates and impact reports, and thank them in public.

Earned income strategies

Most nonprofits rely on donations, but “earned income” from products, services or assets diversifies your funding and reaches new audiences.

• Sell branded merchandise: Apparel, drinkware and calendars with your logo raise awareness and earn income from each sale.
• Host paid virtual events: Charge reasonable admission for expert talks, trainings and professional development classes tied to your cause.
• Offer paid memberships: Give members discounts, early event registration and members-only content in exchange for dues.
• License your knowledge: Turn your expertise into paid courses, guidebooks or playbooks.
• Lease underused assets: Rent out a meeting room, vehicle or equipment on the days you don’t use it.

You likely won’t fully self-fund through these strategies alone. But every bit of income diversification makes your nonprofit more resilient over the long term.

Innovative online fundraising ideas

Interactive challenges and competitions

Interactive social media challenges can drive engagement and fundraising for your nonprofit. Create a fun activity tied to your mission and ask participants to collect pledges.

• For example, a virtual walk/run challenge where people track miles and donors pledge based on progress.
• Or a dance challenge where each entry shares a fact about the issue you address.

Offer prizes like behind-the-scenes experiences or swag for top fundraisers. That turns followers into fundraisers who recruit donations from their own networks.

Host interactive virtual and hybrid events

Online and hybrid events help nonprofits reach wider audiences. Host virtual workshops, webinars or conferences to share your expertise while raising donations.

• An environmental organization could host a virtual conference on sustainable living with pre-recorded and live sessions.
• A youth literacy nonprofit might run a hybrid creative writing workshop, with a small in-person class and a virtual option.

Production matters here, because donors give when the story holds their attention. Our nonprofit event production team plans and runs these events with you.

Cultivate influencer partnerships

Find social media creators whose audiences care about your mission, and invite them to feature your work or become official ambassadors who fundraise for your campaigns.

Crowdfunding campaigns

Sites like GoFundMe let nonprofits create virtual fundraising campaigns for specific projects. Consider a yearly campaign for a big goal like starting a new program or funding a one-time project.

Show clearly what donations would pay for, and break the full goal into smaller targets donors can relate to. Offer fun thank-you gifts by giving level, and ask board members, partners and businesses to share and match donations.

Report back to donors on progress along the way to keep people engaged.

Key takeaways and next steps

Nonprofits have more ways than ever to diversify income beyond unstable donations and grants. The strongest programs combine:

• An annual signature fundraising event that supporters look forward to each year.
• An ongoing peer-to-peer campaign that lets supporters fundraise for you.
• A monthly giving program with sustaining donors.
• A merchandise store or other earned income.
• Corporate partnerships for volunteering, matching gifts and sponsorships.
• Active grant writing all year.
• Creative social media and online fundraising campaigns.

This mix spreads your risk, so if one source falters, others fill the gap. And through every fundraiser, focus on stewardship: show donors their impact, celebrate milestones and thank them often.

For more ways to spread the word, see how to promote your event online.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best fundraisers for nonprofits?

The best fundraiser fits your supporters and your team. Galas, charity runs, peer-to-peer campaigns, matching gift drives and virtual events all work well, and most strong programs combine several.

What’s a simple online fundraising idea to try first?

Social media birthday fundraisers are easy to start. Your supporters ask friends to donate to your mission instead of buying gifts, and they work best on big giving days.

How early should we start planning a big annual fundraising event?

For sizable events of 500+ people, start at least 6 months ahead. You’ll need that time to secure a venue, permits, vendors and sponsors, and to market the event.

How can we keep repeat donors giving?

Show genuine program impact. Share stories of who their gifts help, thank loyal donors in public and invite them to events that connect them to your mission.

How can we use in-person events to fundraise online too?

Livestream the event so remote supporters can watch and give at the same time. Show donation links on screen and share teasers beforehand to build an audience.