The basics of crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a method of raising funds from a large number of people, typically via the Internet. There are various financial crowdfunding models you can choose from, including:

• Reward-based: Backers contribute to a cause in exchange for a reward, like matching gift programs, which is especially useful when developing a product or service.
• Donation-based: Most commonly used by nonprofits, where the value is based on providing community benefit or even donation matching instead of financial return.
• Equity-based: By contributing to the campaign, investors receive shares with future growth potential, commonly used by startups to offer a stake in their company.
• Debt-based: Known as peer-to-peer lending, this option asks for a loan from a crowd of investors, which the business agrees to pay back with interest over a specific time.

Fundraising campaigns share a large market. With Kickstarter leading the crowdfunding platform market, boasting over 593 thousand projects in the first half of 2023, the global crowdfunding market was valued at $1.41 billion. Revenue is forecast to more than double in size by 2030.

Online crowdfunding sites and social media have made raising funds for nonprofits online much easier. Combined with dedicated marketing efforts, reaching millions of people can take as little as a heartfelt message, proven dedication, and a cause people can rally behind.

Crowdfunding for nonprofits: Benefits

Unlike a for-profit business, a nonprofit has two unique advantages – advocating for a cause and fostering community action. If you aim to engage with a wide audience for fundraising, crowdfunding is one of the best ways to empower individuals to support causes close to their hearts.

Here are some of the benefits of crowdfunding for nonprofits:

• Diverse Funding Sources. Crowdfunding allows nonprofits to tap into a wide range of donors through multiple crowdfunding sites, expanding beyond the scope of traditional fundraising efforts.
• Enhanced Visibility and Exposure. Launching a crowdfunding campaign significantly boosts a nonprofit’s visibility by showcasing its mission to a broader audience.
• Impact Measurement and Insights. Crowdfunding platforms offer tools and metrics to quantify the success and reach of your project, providing direct campaign insights.
• Real-Time Feedback and Interaction. Nonprofits may receive immediate responses and interactions from supporters during a crowdfunding campaign for valuable feedback.
• Flexible Campaign Control. Nonprofits have the flexibility to set their fundraising goals, timelines, and campaign messaging, offering full control over the fundraising process.
• Amplified Awareness and Engagement. Crowdfunding campaigns effectively raise awareness about a cause and engage new and existing supporters through social sharing and media attention.
• Community Building and Support. Crowdfunding fosters a sense of community among donors and supporters who get to rally around a shared goal or mission.
• Cost-Effective Fundraising Method. With low upfront costs and the ability to reach virality with a much larger audience, crowdfunding can be cost-effective.

How to launch a crowdfunding campaign in 9 steps

Let’s take a look at the steps you’ll need to take to launch and maintain a crowdfunding campaign for your nonprofit. 

Possible crowdfunding challenges and how to overcome them

Preparing for challenges in your nonprofit crowdfunding campaign is essential. This section outlines common hurdles many campaigners might face without proper preparation and ways to overcome them, ensuring smoother fundraising efforts.

• Other Nonprofit Organizations. You’ll need to differentiate your cause by emphasizing its unique impact. Often, reaching out to a smaller, more niche base of supporters and cultivating more authentic connections can help.
• Limited Outreach. Limited outreach can slow down campaign visibility and donor engagement. Expand your reach by leveraging social media, email marketing, and partnerships with like-minded groups.

Build a larger community by branching out with content marketing – encourage donors with educational literature, nonprofit merchandise, and a physical or live-streamed fundraising event.

• Trust and Credibility. Communicate a realistic nonprofit mission and back it up with transparent financial practices. Provide regular updates and testimonials from the people you’ve helped to strengthen organizational credibility.
• Donor Fatigue. Donor fatigue can happen if supporters feel overwhelmed by constant fundraising appeals – too much of a good thing can start seeming insincere. Address this by diversifying your fundraising effort, spacing out campaigns, showing small victories, and thanking donors individually.
• Post-Campaign Engagement. Neglecting post-campaign engagement can result in donor disengagement and reduced long-term support. Maintain donor relationships by sharing campaign outcomes, expressing gratitude, and involving supporters in ongoing initiatives even after the campaign has ended.
• Technical Challenges. Minimize the possibility of technical issues by regularly testing your donation page, providing user-friendly navigation, and offering multiple payment options. Monitor donor interactions to make the first complaint from a dissatisfied user the last one you’ll ever hear.

Legal aspects and best practices for crowdfunding for nonprofits

Familiarize yourself with the legal aspects of running a nonprofit campaign:

• Regulations and compliance. Ensure your nonprofit adheres to local and international crowdfunding regulations, including financial reporting and fundraising licenses.
• Tax implications. Understand how crowdfunding contributors are taxed to ensure proper reporting and compliance with IRS guidelines for nonprofit fundraising.
• Intellectual property and copyright. Protect your campaign content by understanding copyright laws, and ensure all materials used are owned or properly licensed by your nonprofit.
• Data protection. Safeguard donor information by complying with data protection laws, such as GDPR in Europe, through secure data handling and privacy policies.

Adopt the best practices to support your online fundraising strategy:

• Clear goals. Set and communicate specific, measurable goals for your nonprofit crowdfunding campaigns to align expectations and foster donor trust.
• Promotion and engagement. Use social media, email newsletters, and community outreach to promote your campaign and actively engage with potential donors.
• Updates and acknowledgments. Regularly update supporters on campaign progress and acknowledge contributions to build trust and maintain engagement.
• Post-campaign communication. Continue communication with supporters after the campaign, sharing outcomes and how funds will be used to encourage long-term relationships.

FAQ

Conclusion

We’ve detailed everything from the basics of crowdfunding to planning and executing an online campaign. Collecting online donations and crowdfunding for charity, creative projects, or even personal fundraising is and will always be a natural and effective way of raising money online.

You can encourage donations from multiple platforms and marketing channels. Choose what’s best for your nonprofit organization, and understand there is no one-size-fits-all crowdfunding platform for every project. 

Explore different sites, social media platforms, and fundraising methods to find what works best.

Custom t-shirts

One of the best things to sell for fundraising, t-shirts remain an all-time favorite for organizations and companies of all sizes. With a beautiful design, t-shirts can inspire and intrigue people, encouraging them to get involved with your organization’s activities.

Advantages of t-shirts as fundraising products:

• Cost-effective. You can sell them at a reasonable price while still maintaining a profit margin to fund your cause.
• Easy to customize. With our Product Creator (formerly known as Mockup Generator), anyone can easily add a logo, message, or image to create a unique fundraising product.
• Inexpensive to ship. They’re lightweight and compact, allowing you to save on shipping costs. If they’re for an online fundraiser, t-shirts are a great option.

All of our t-shirts come in various sizes, colors, and styles. We carry the most popular t-shirt brands, like Bella+Canvas, Champion, and Gildan.

Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve Tee

By Bella+Canvas · 3001

From $10.87 From $8.69 with Printify Premium

9 sizes 126 colors 21 print providers

Unisex Softstyle T-Shirt

By Gildan · 64000

From $7.71 From $5.78 with Printify Premium

9 sizes 66 colors 22 print providers

Unisex Ultra Cotton Tee

By Gildan · 2000

From $9.88 From $7.63 with Printify Premium

8 sizes 61 colors 15 print providers

Unisex Heavy Cotton Tee

By Gildan · 5000

From $8.61 From $5.89 with Printify Premium

8 sizes 70 colors 22 print providers

Custom hoodies and custom sweatshirts

While fashion trends may come and go, hoodies and sweatshirts will withstand them all. As versatile as they are timeless, these fundraising items are an easy sell – everyone loves the comfort and warmth they provide.

Advantages of hoodies and sweatshirts as fundraising products:

• Universal appeal. Hoodies are worn by people of all ages. If you want to appeal to a wide audience, consider these for the next product fundraiser.
• Highly durable. Hoodies and sweatshirts last a long time, providing exposure for the cause and joy for the wearer.
• Customizable, memorable. With an eye-catching design, they’ll sell well. These garments raise awareness and promote a cause in a lasting, impactful, and memorable way.

In addition to promoting a cause or event, they create a sense of unity, fostering team spirit and cooperation.

Our comfortable hoodies and sweatshirts come in various sizes, colors, styles, and materials to suit different lifestyles.

Unisex Heavy Blend Hooded Sweatshirt

By Gildan · 18500

From $21.24 From $15.51 with Printify Premium

8 sizes 39 colors 17 print providers

Unisex Heavy Blend Crewneck Sweatshirt

By Gildan · 18000

From $17.63 From $11.92 with Printify Premium

8 sizes 38 colors 17 print providers

Men's NUBLEND® Hooded Sweatshirt

By JERZEES · 996MR

From $24.72 From $18.74 with Printify Premium

8 sizes 11 colors 2 print providers

Unisex Crew Sweatshirt

By Cotton Heritage · M2480

From $27.80 From $20.45 with Printify Premium

6 sizes 13 colors 2 print providers

Custom caps and hats

Popular accessories, caps and hats are good examples of practical fundraising products. They are great for raising money and provide protection from the sun, rain, and bad hair days.

Advantages of caps and hats as fundraising products:

• Affordable. They’re low-cost products. Groups can sell caps and hats at a high profit margin, allowing them to make more money for their fundraising campaign.
• Ideal for various activities. When the fundraiser is over, they find a second life – people use them while hiking, camping, or running, so they’re a popular fundraiser product.
• Easy way to spread a message. Every time someone wears your caps, they promote your cause and encourage participation.

Hats and caps are memorable keepsakes, conversation starters, and lasting reminders of the event, cause, and organization.

Our caps and hats come in various colors, sizes, and styles – perfect for embroidery and direct-to-garment designs.

Trucker Caps

By OTTO Cap · 39-169

From $11.63 From $8.55 with Printify Premium

1 sizes 7 colors Duplium

Low Profile Baseball Cap

By OTTO Cap · 18-253

From $14.22 From $10.46 with Printify Premium

1 sizes 7 colors Duplium

Custom mugs

While often overlooked as mere practicalities, mugs are much more. With a meaningful message, they’ll allow you to remind your supporters of the cause on a daily basis.

Advantages of mugs as fundraising products:

• Wide selection. Mugs come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, so it’s easy to appeal to a wide target audience.
• Practical. While you can have too much coffee, no one can ever have too many mugs. Mugs are a valuable addition to any kitchen or office.
• Cost-effective. Affordable to produce and easy to sell. A great choice for individuals and businesses.

If you want the best mugs for your fundraiser, Printify’s the right supplier. With your designs and our Print Provider’s latest printing techniques, the result will be amazing.

Heart-Shaped Mug

By Generic brand

From $13.16 From $9.98 with Printify Premium

1 sizes 1 colors OPT OnDemand

Colorful Accent Mugs, 11oz

By Generic brand

From $7.12 From $5.65 with Printify Premium

1 sizes 4 colors Prima Printing

Latte Mug

By Generic brand

From $8.41 From $6.18 with Printify Premium

1 sizes SPOKE Custom Products

White Mug, 11oz

By Generic brand

From $5.09 From $4.04 with Printify Premium

1 sizes 1 colors Print Logistic

Custom phone cases

Phone cases are all-time bestsellers. How many smartphones have you seen without a case? Almost everyone has one, making it an appealing fundraising product.

Advantages of phone cases as fundraising products:

• Low-cost shipping. Say goodbye to expensive shipping – they’re lightweight and compact. They offer a decent profit margin, too.
• High demand. Almost everyone owns a smartphone, so they’re an easy sell and a quick way to raise funds for a cause.
• Useful. They protect smartphones from scratches, dust, and small impacts, making them a great addition to any fundraising sale.

If you want to sell fundraising products with a high practical value, our collection of high-quality phone cases is a great option.

Tough Phone Cases

By Generic brand

From $10.94 From $8.29 with Printify Premium

37 sizes SPOKE Custom Products

Slim Phone Cases

By Generic brand

From $9.38 From $7.11 with Printify Premium

31 sizes SPOKE Custom Products

Biodegradable Cases

By Generic brand

From $15.63 From $11.85 with Printify Premium

52 sizes WOYC

Soft Phone Cases

By Generic brand

From $9.67 From $7.33 with Printify Premium

23 sizes 1 colors Invition

Custom tote bags

When it comes to things to sell for fundraising, tote bags are a product of choice for social and environmental causes. They are an essential part of everyday life – always by our side wherever we go.

Advantages of tote bags as fundraising products:

• Practical. Even after the fundraiser is over, they continue their mission – promoting your cause while dutifully helping when grocery shopping.
• Eco-friendly. A trendy and welcome alternative to single-use plastic bags. A good option for environmental fundraisers.
• Visually appealing. They can become useful and long-lasting marketing tools. Wherever your supporters go, they bring attention to your fundraiser.

Our tote bags come in various sizes, colors, and shapes and are made from durable materials, making sure they last for a long time. 

Whether an organization needs a simple logo or a colorful design, our Print Providers will make it happen using all-over or direct-to-garment printing.

Weekender Tote Bag

By Generic brand

From $25.00 From $18.96 with Printify Premium

1 sizes MWW On Demand

Organic Canvas Tote Bag

By Econscious · EC8040

From $20.44 From $15.50 with Printify Premium

1 sizes 3 colors Ink Blot

Wine Tote Bag

By Generic brand

From $14.80 From $11.22 with Printify Premium

1 sizes 1 colors Imagine Your Photos

Custom stickers

A small yet significant token of recognition and a beacon of support. Whether raising awareness about climate change, equality, or animal welfare – stickers are one of the best things to consider for cheap fundraising ideas.

Advantages of stickers as fundraising products:

• Subtle yet influential. Your supporters can apply stickers anywhere – on laptops, water bottles, phone cases, or notebooks.
• Visibility. Stickers are highly visible and effective, showing support and spreading awareness.
• A fun way to fundraise. While some forms of promotion can be overly serious, stickers convey a sense of playfulness and approachability, encouraging engagement.

Supporters can easily hand out stickers to their friends, family members, and the whole community, leading to a wider reach.

We offer highly-durable stickers in various shapes and sizes. They’re easy to design and cheap to produce, making them a cost-effective and convenient way to promote a cause.

Kiss-Cut Stickers

By Generic brand

From $1.38 From $1.01 with Printify Premium

4 sizes 2 print providers

Square Stickers, Indoor\Outdoor

By Generic brand

From $2.80 From $2.06 with Printify Premium

5 sizes SunFrog Solutions

Round Stickers, Indoor\Outdoor

By Generic brand

From $2.80 From $2.06 with Printify Premium

5 sizes SunFrog Solutions

Sticker Sheets

By Generic brand

From $5.94 From $4.37 with Printify Premium

2 sizes Printed Simply

Custom notebooks and journals

When the world feels like chaos, writing things down is a great way to stay organized. In our ever-digital age, putting pen to paper is immensely useful, helping to set priorities, clarify goals, and identify problems. While some use only smartphones, many still love to jot their ideas down on paper.

Advantages of selling notebooks and journals for product fundraising:

• Never-ending demand. Popular with people from all walks of life – from elementary school children to senior citizens. They have a universal appeal.
• Multi-purpose. Whether for drawing, journaling, or note-taking, these products are always handy – a good example of evergreen and practical items fit for any occasion.
• Eye-catching. With a beautiful design, they naturally draw attention.

The Printify catalog offers various journals and notebooks that anyone can easily customize by adding a message, image, text, or a combination to create the perfect fundraising product.

Spiral Notebook – Ruled Line

By Generic brand

From $8.05 From $5.81 with Printify Premium

1 sizes SPOKE Custom Products

Softcover Notebook, A5

By Generic brand

From $8.02 From $5.90 with Printify Premium

1 sizes Harrier

Personalized candles

A tried-and-true way to brighten almost anyone’s mood is a beautifully scented candle that melts away the worries of the day. While they sell best during the holiday season, they’re a profitable fundraising product year-round.

Advantages of using candles for a fundraising product sale:

• Aesthetically pleasing. Scented candles add a touch of luxury throughout the home, creating a warm, cozy, and welcoming atmosphere.
• Eco-friendly. Many of our candles are eco-friendly – perfect for environmental causes.
• Perfect for gifting. Even if some of your supporters don’t particularly need scented candles, they probably know someone who does, so selling them won’t be hard.

We offer scented candles with various fragrances – Vanilla Bean, Comfort Spice, and Sea Breeze, to name a few.

Scented Candles, 9oz

By Candle Builders

From $11.72 From $9.15 with Printify Premium

1 sizes Candle Builders

Scented Candle, 13.75oz

By Candle Builders

From $19.53 From $15.24 with Printify Premium

1 sizes Candle Builders

Scented Candle – Full Glass, 11oz

By Seventh Avenue Apothecary

From $21.88 From $17.07 with Printify Premium

1 sizes SwagRabbit

Scented Soy Candle, 9oz

By Lumient

From $10.94 From $8.76 with Printify Premium

1 sizes Lumient

Custom water bottles

As the world tries to reduce plastic waste, personalized water bottles have become increasingly popular as an eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic. 

Advantages of water bottles as fundraising products:

• Convenient. A great choice for those who are constantly on the go, providing hydration throughout the day – while promoting your fundraiser all at once.
• Better for health. The majority of reusable water bottles are BPA-free, which means they’re safer for health.
• Eco-friendly. Stand out selling sustainable products for fundraising that contribute to reducing plastic waste.

Whether on the road or in the office, water bottles will remind supporters of your fundraiser each time they use them.

We have water bottles for every lifestyle in various sizes, colors, and materials in the Printify Catalog.

Kensington Tritan Sport Bottle, 20oz

By Generic brand

From $13.58 From $9.99 with Printify Premium

1 sizes 2 colors SwagRabbit

CamelBak Eddy® Water Bottle, 20oz\25oz

By CamelBak · Eddy

From $18.75 From $13.79 with Printify Premium

2 sizes 2 colors SwagRabbit

Copper Vacuum Insulated Bottle, 22oz

By Generic brand

From $24.86 From $18.29 with Printify Premium

1 sizes 8 colors SwagRabbit

Sell fundraising products with Printify

With our print-on-demand platform, designing, creating, and selling fundraising products has never been easier.

Our Print Providers manufacture everything on demand, so there’s no minimum order quantity or risk of losing money for unsold products.

Fundraising ideas to try

Apart from selling merchandise, there are various inexpensive fundraising ideas anyone can try. They can help connect with people who are most likely to support your cause – without breaking the bank. Below are some ideas to try for a fantastic fundraiser on a friendly budget.

Here are a few of them.

• Organize an event. Whether it’s a walkathon, marathon, bake sale, or car wash, there’s a world of budget-friendly ways to raise money.
• Form partnerships. Partner with local merchants and businesses to generate more sales by selling products together with your fundraising goods. From gourmet chocolate items to custom wrapping paper and more – combine great ideas for an even greater cause.
• Host virtual concerts. When it comes to fundraising event ideas, organizing a virtual benefit concert with local artists is a great way to draw attention and make money to further social causes.
• Use online giving. If your business supports a certain cause, create an online donation form and display it in your store. This gives legitimacy while promoting a non-profit organization and raising awareness.
• Stream. Today, anyone can raise funds by livestreaming various activities – cooking classes, fitness sessions, or panel discussions on current events.

A few closing thoughts

A fundraising product is a great tool for rallying supporters around a common goal and financing a cause, providing useful keepsakes in exchange for a contribution.

Choosing the right products is half the battle toward a successful fundraiser. As long as your products are tastefully designed and resonate with your community members, they’ll sell well, helping your fundraiser reach its goals quickly. Happy fundraising!

What fundraising products work best for you? Did we miss anything on our list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

A t-shirt fundraiser is a great way to raise extra money for whatever cause you’re promoting or supporting. Whether it’s a local charity, kids’ sports team, environmental issue, or efforts to boost global awareness, fundraising campaigns can gain a great deal by selling t-shirts.

A custom t-shirt fundraising campaign is one of the best ways to bring attention to your cause. Your supporters are rewarded with practical merchandise – apparel – which they can actually use, making it worth spending money on.

Not only that, but t-shirts with a logo or promotional campaign slogan can be worn all year round, even after your initial tee fundraiser event. Making them a free campaign ad throughout the seasons.

In this article, we’ll discuss multiple t-shirt fundraising ideas. Spread the word, sell quality t-shirts, and fundraise in fun and creative ways. All for a good cause.

To conclude

There are many opportunities to promote your t-shirt fundraisers and gain extra support from the people and organizations around you.

Turn to your friends, family, workplace, and search for people alike. Attend or host various events, selling custom t-shirts. Encourage people to participate in fun and exciting activities to further your cause. And bring awareness to it, one t-shirt at a time.