non profit – Printify

How do nonprofits make money?

Vita Stevens — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 10:32:12 +0000

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If you volunteer at, want to start, or improve a nonprofit organization, you must find an answer to a critical question at the heart of the mission – how do nonprofits make money?

Finding stable funding for your nonprofit activities will take some creativity and elbow grease. However, anyone determined to turn their non-profit into a powerful force for change can absolutely reach fundraising success.

There are multiple solutions to significantly increase your nonprofit’s funds. In this article, we’ll provide tips and profitable ideas for non-profits to make money effectively.

Key takeaways

To maintain financial stability, nonprofit organizations can earn money through various methods, such as donations, selling products, offering services, hosting fundraising events, and applying for grants.
While nonprofits are mission-driven and not profit-oriented, generating income is essential to fund operations, pay staff, and do activities that align with their mission.
Successful nonprofits invest in marketing and fundraising strategies to attract donors, increase membership, and build partnerships, ensuring continuous support for their cause.
Nonprofits can qualify for tax-exempt status, which has significant financial benefits. However, they must follow specific regulations and reporting requirements, such as the IRS’s 501(c)(3) guidelines in the United States.
Establishing long-term relationships and corporate sponsorships with businesses that share similar values can provide stable funding and enhance the nonprofit’s ability to achieve its goals.

What is a nonprofit organization?

As the name suggests – a non-profit is an organization that has set a goal other than generating profit.

Whether rescuing kittens from the street or saving the planet from plastic waste, nonprofits unite countless activists and volunteers with a shared mission to do good in their community and beyond.

Although nonprofit organizations aren’t specifically created for the purpose of generating income, they still need ways to earn revenue to organize fundraising campaigns, establish a reserve fund, pay fair compensation to their staff and contractors, and cover all other expenses tied to their organization’s purpose.

The good news is that there are countless ways to make sure your nonprofit’s earned income is stable and growing.

Nonprofits vs for-profit companies

To keep it simple – a for-profit benefits private interests, while a nonprofit benefits a cause.

Although the goals often differ, practices frequently overlap because both nonprofits and for-profit businesses require funds to function.

This table further clarifies the main differences and similarities between these two types of organizations:

	Non-profits	For-profit
Goal	To aid a social or charitable cause.	To earn money and maximize profit.
Source of revenue	Donations, memberships, subscriptions, grants, sales of products and services.	Commercial activities, investments, memberships, subscriptions.
Profit distribution	Funding activities are tied to the organization’s mission, employee salaries, and operational expenses.	Shareholder payouts, reinvesting back into the business, employee salaries, and operational expenses.

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How do nonprofit organizations make money?

Compared to for-profit organizations, nonprofits have limited income options, but they can generate revenue to cover expenses and support their mission in several ways. Many nonprofits earn money through a mix of activities rather than relying on just one method.

Selling products

Nonprofit organizations can earn from selling products that align with their mission – who wouldn’t want to wear something great that’s benefited a cause they believe in?

Place your nonprofit’s logo or slogan on merch like t-shirts, totes, and mugs. Consider offering eco-friendly products that your supporters can buy and wear to spread awareness of your cause in sustainable style.

Set up a shop with Printify to start making money for your nonprofit by selling customizable merch that supports your cause.

Important

When selling products, make sure your sales comply with IRS rules and keep accurate records for your tax returns to maintain your nonprofit’s tax-exempt status.

Pro tip

Check out our dropshipping profit margins review to develop a pricing strategy that provides a steady nonprofit income.

Offering services

Like for-profits, nonprofits make money from offering their time and resources as various services related to their mission.

These can be educational workshops or consulting services that provide steady revenue streams while promoting your nonprofit cause. Offering these services can be a powerful tool for ensuring your nonprofit has enough money to sustain its activities.

Fundraising events

Fundraising is one of the most popular ways nonprofits make money and expand their list of supporters.

Sponsor and host fundraising activities, from on-site gatherings to online crowdfunding, and consider incorporating ticket sales to increase your net earnings.

Sell tickets for events like charity dinners, concerts, or workshops to engage more supporters and generate additional funds. As always, make sure all of these activities align with your nonprofit’s objectives.

Success depends on reaching the right people with the right message, so you’ll need a plan and an established marketing strategy to attract your desired audience.

Pro tip

To find popular fundraising ideas and some much-needed inspiration, check out our blog posts on the 30 Best Fundraising Tactics and 7 T-Shirt Fundraising Ideas.

Donations

Unlike for-profit companies, public charities and similar nonprofit organizations often rely on charitable donations to fund basic operations and larger projects. In addition to cash contributions, in-kind donations – such as goods and services – can also significantly support a nonprofit’s needs.

Collect donations from individuals, businesses, and even government entities through fundraising events, provide donation boxes at your locations, and establish easily accessible online donation options like a Donate button on your website.

Memberships

Your supporters may prefer to pay a membership fee rather than offer volunteer hours. So, why not provide them with a membership program?

Consider offering memberships on an annual basis with different levels of support, each offering its own benefits and privileges to inspire more people to sign up and give to your nonprofit.

This can start with access to a members-only newsletter, a digital or printed thank-you card, and then increase to exclusive merch and VIP event passes.

Offering memberships can generate positive revenue and provide a steady income stream for your nonprofit.

To simplify running a successful membership program, use membership management software or services like DonorBox or WildApricot.

Grants

Due to the large sums of money involved and the competitive grant application process, this is one of the hardest ways to gain funding for your nonprofit. However, it’s undoubtedly worth it.

Apply to receive grants from government entities or private foundations to carry out various projects that align with your nonprofit’s goals and mission.

Some organizations also offer grants to nonprofits, so it’s important to research opportunities thoroughly.

Consider applying for Google Ads Grants, and if you’re in the US, the federal government provides a handy search tool that makes it easy to find grants that best fit your nonprofit organization’s goals.

Corporate sponsorships

Gaining corporate sponsorships can provide stable funding for nonprofit activities through long-term partnerships.

Establishing strategic relationships with businesses that reflect your values takes dedication, effort, and a deep understanding of the other party’s goals and expectations. You’ll need to build a compelling sales pitch, showing what they’ll gain and achieve from sponsoring your nonprofit.

What are the main expenses for a non-profit organization?

Expenses vary depending on the nonprofit organization’s size, scope, and mission, but many nonprofits allocate their funds in a few common areas.

Operating costs

Reserve a set amount to cover the essential operating expenses that keep your nonprofit running smoothly. This means covering

Rent for office space
Property taxes
Utilities
Technology
Day-to-day office supplies

A big part of your operational expenses will be marketing through social media campaigns, email newsletters, and strategic partnerships with corporate sponsors to get more funds.

Quick tip

Focus on creating quality content through blog entries, videos, and infographics to highlight your organization’s impact and attract donors and future members. Check out our marketing hints and tricks to find the best ideas.

Organizing fundraising

Your nonprofit must set money aside for effective fundraising so you can afford all those great programs and initiatives.

Here are some potential costs:

Event space or venue rental: Venue rental, such as a hall, park, or conference room. If you’re throwing a digital event, you may have platform fees.
Catering and refreshments: Food and drinks are often expected at fundraising events, and depending on the scale and location, they can cost quite a bit.
Merchandise: Branded merchandise, like t-shirts or tote bags for giveaways and additional fundraising tools. We recommend using Print on Demand through Printify for the lowest prices possible.
Marketing and promotion: Social media ads, printed flyers, or email marketing campaigns.
Event supplies and equipment: Sound systems, tables, chairs, tents, or AV setups.
Staffing and volunteer costs: While volunteers are a great resource, you might still need to cover some expenses, like transportation, t-shirts, or even professional services like a photographer or event manager.

Plan and budget for these expenses to maximize the impact of your fundraising efforts and avoid getting consumed by the cost of the event itself.

Staff salaries

Investing in a dedicated team of enthusiasts, including both nonprofit employees and volunteer labor, is key to your nonprofit’s success.

While relying on volunteers is common, it’s important to consider transitioning to a fully paid staff as your organization grows. When the opportunity arises, offer reasonable compensation, at least meeting the minimum wage, to your nonprofit staff members who work tirelessly to drive your organization forward.

In addition to your nonprofit employees’ salaries, provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities to keep your nonprofit competitive and your staff members energized.

Impactful campaigns

Campaigns are great for promoting your nonprofit’s mission but come with significant costs.

Some are a few areas you’ll need to invest in:

Marketing and advertising: Paid ads on social media, Google, or traditional media.
Content creation: High-quality videos, photos, and graphics
Campaign materials: Flyers, brochures, or digital materials like emails and social media posts.
Technology and tools: Subscriptions to CRM systems, email platforms, and analytics tools.
Event costs: Venue rentals, equipment, or platform fees.

Invest in these areas to make professional, far-reaching, and impactful campaigns.

Nonprofit organizations and tax-exempt status

Many nonprofit organizations receive tax-exempt status from government agencies in countries where they hold operations. In the United States, a tax exemption is issued by the Internal Revenue Service.

To qualify, you’ll need to meet the conditions set out in the tax code, specifically under the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). But before taking a deep dive into tax regulations, make sure your nonprofit meets the following conditions:

It’s a charitable, scientific, literary, educational, or religious organization.
Has a democratically-elected governing body.
Created for the good of public interests, not for private benefit.
Has clear rules outlining the organization’s purpose and its operational framework.

If you register a nonprofit in the US and meet all of the requirements set out by the IRS, you’ll receive a status that provides an exemption from federal taxes and other tax deductions. However, it’s important to note that a nonprofit organization must not operate like a for-profit corporation and should strictly adhere to its stated mission to keep tax-exempt status.

When your nonprofit makes money from unrelated activities not directly tied to your mission, you’ll need to pay taxes. In this case, you’ll deal with the unrelated business income tax.

File Form 990-T annually to maintain your tax-exempt status if you earn $1,000 in gross income from unrelated business activities.

You’ll also need to pay the estimated tax if you anticipate the tax to reach or go over $500 in the span of a year. Unrelated business income regulations may differ by country, so you’ll need to check the rules and regulations of your specific country of operation.

How does a nonprofit make money with Print on Demand?

Now that you’ve learned how to make money as a nonprofit, let’s go over how you can start earning by selling custom merch with Printify.

Sign up

Unlike drafting a nonprofit mission statement or paying taxes, opening an account on Printify only takes a few clicks, and most importantly, it’s free.

Create custom products

Go through our Catalog of over 900 customizable products to find the right ones for your nonprofit to sell.

Use our Product Creator to upload or create your own designs using our free graphics library, text editor with more than 300 fonts, pattern creator tool, AI Image Generator, and Shutterstock integration with millions of images at your fingertips.

Take inspiration from our blog, T-Shirts for a Cause, and remember to add your nonprofit logo or slogan to the merch.

Decide where to sell

Order in bulk to sell merchandise at your location or during fundraising activities. Alternatively, open a store on an eCommerce marketplace or platform.

Start selling products fast through the Printify Pop-Up Store, or check out our automated integrations, including some of today’s most popular sales channels.

Tip

Check out the best nonprofit fundraising platforms.

Promote your products

It’s time for the most important step – selling merchandise!

Order samples to check that the quality meets your standards. Go to the top of your Printify dashboard → Orders → Create order → Sample.

Promote your merchandise through channels like your website, social media platforms, email newsletters, and on-site events.

Engage with your community by encouraging them to share photos of themselves using or wearing your products, and consider running contests or merch giveaways to grow your following.

Quick tip

Read our insider nonprofit marketing tips for driving traffic to your store.

FAQ

Can a nonprofit make money?

Yes, nonprofits can make money, but with specific intentions. They don’t make a profit in the traditional sense since their primary goal is to create a positive impact in society, not generate revenue.

Funds are typically raised through donations, grants, membership fees, and merch sales. They’re then used to support the organization’s mission and activities rather than distributing profits to board members or shareholders. But, of course, nonprofits do have paid staff and an executive director who receive fair compensation.

What are 501(c)(3) organizations?

A 501(c)(3) organization is a specific type of nonprofit in the US that qualifies for tax-exempt status by the IRS.

Most commonly, it’s a charitable, scientific, literary, educational, or religious organization that benefits society instead of individual interests.

How does a CEO of a non-profit get paid?

That depends on the structure of your nonprofit and what they’re tasked to do, but usually they don’t get paid the same way as in for-profit organizations.

Most of the money raised or earned, including net earnings, must go towards fulfilling the nonprofit’s mission. It pays for relevant day-to-day expenses, offers reasonable compensation to your staff, and takes care of funding and hosting events and other projects and initiatives.

That said, there are instances where, depending on the decision the board makes, nonprofit founders and executive directors go beyond a seat on the board and get hired to work for the nonprofit in a leadership role.

Final thoughts

So, how can nonprofits make money? The answer lies in earning through diverse income streams. Funding is the core of all successful nonprofit organizations. From membership fees and in-kind donations to individual donations and government grants, remember that each contribution counts towards supporting your cause.

Gaining and distributing earned income with methods that align with your nonprofit’s values will support financial sustainability, allowing you to grow your organization and reach closer to achieving your goals.

With Printify, you can pave the way for a better future – one filled with hope, compassion, and custom-printed merch. Get started today!

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The 9 best nonprofit fundraising platforms of 2025

Leon Walker — Sun, 06 Oct 2024 07:04:00 +0000

Whatever cause you support, nonprofit fundraising platforms can increase your reach, unite the community, and streamline the donation process.

In this article, we explore the nine best fundraising platforms for nonprofits, covering their features and critical aspects you should consider before making a decision.

Nonprofit fundraising platforms: How do they work?

Nonprofit fundraising platforms help charitable organizations collect online contributions, engage with existing and new supporters, and manage fundraising campaigns.

Here’s a brief outline describing steps a nonprofit should follow and considerations to remember.

Register. Provide the required information, like mission, goals, and contact details. Some platforms require documentation to verify the nonprofit status.
Create a fundraising campaign. Describe the project or event you’re raising funds for. Add images, videos, and write a compelling story.
Engage supporters. Reach supporters by using the platform’s fundraising tools and social media. Many platforms offer useful donation forms, event ticketing, and donor management features.
Collect and manage donations. Supporters visit the campaign pages and contribute via various payment methods, such as credit cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Offer both one-time and recurring donations.
Gather data. Monitor progress, track donor relationships, and analyze donor data to improve your fundraising efforts.
Consider platform fees. These depend on the platform. Some give a choice between annual or monthly fees. There are also payment processing fees and transaction fees.
Withdraw funds. Usually, nonprofits can request a withdrawal at any time, but it depends on the platform.

While the process will vary from platform to platform, the basic steps to set up a fundraising campaign are typically the same.

How to choose the right platform?

If you want to find the right fundraising platform for your nonprofit, there are several aspects to consider.

Ease of use. Select a platform with an intuitive user interface to seamlessly and quickly create campaign and donation pages.
Fees and pricing. Budget effectively by understanding the fee structure and subscription costs.
Reputation. Verify the platform’s reliability. Check the company’s track record, policy, and third-party user reviews to avoid fraud and technical issues.
Customization options. Check whether the platform has the tools to tailor the pages to your nonprofit’s mission.
Supporter accessibility. Increase donations by catering to a wide range of supporters, so pick a platform that offers multiple payment methods.
Fundraising features. Choose a platform with key fundraising features like social media integrations, peer-to-peer fundraising, and email marketing tools to enhance your campaigns.

Make your own fundraising products today!

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The top nonprofit fundraising platforms in 2025

While the leading fundraising platforms provide most of the functionality to start and manage a campaign, they’re all slightly different.

Which fundraising website is the best? That depends on your nonprofit’s needs and goals, so here’s a list of the top nine, describing their features, pricing, and fees.

1. GoFundMe

GoFundMe is one of the largest online fundraising platforms many charities, businesses, and individuals use. The platform has over 100 million donors worldwide and has raised over $25 billion since 2010.

A few of GoFundMe’s features:

Quick donation page setup
Fundraising thermometer to monitor progress
Option to add images and videos to increase engagement
Live chat and 24/7 support via email
Easy social sharing
Donor protection guarantee
Supported in 19 countries

Pricing and fees

GoFundMe doesn’t charge to start or manage a fundraiser, but they have a transaction fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per donation, which is automatically deducted. The rest goes directly to your cause. Learn more on their pricing page.

2. Jotform

Jotform is an online form builder with great features – custom donation forms, volunteer applications, and event registration pages. It’s a popular fundraising software for nonprofits, small, and large businesses.

A few of Jotform’s features:

More than 100 customizable donation forms
Various event management forms
Drag-and-drop form builder
All-in-one donation app
More than 30 payment gateways
Data analytics

Pricing and fees

Jotform has a free plan, and they don’t charge additional transaction fees – you’ll just have to pay the standard rate of your chosen payment processor.

They offer 50% off all annual plans for nonprofits. With a discount, their Bronze, Silver, and Gold plans cost $17/mo (billed annually at $204), $19.50/mo (billed annually at $234), and $49.50/mo (billed annually at $594) respectively.

Explore these plans on their nonprofit pricing page.

3. Fundly

Fundly helps easily customize a fundraiser page, reach a wide audience, and accept donations. It’s among the best online fundraising platforms for smaller nonprofits just starting out.

A few of Fundly’s features:

Customizable donation page
Fundraising guides
Free Fundley App for mobile
Facebook connection, automatically posting on it
Peer-to-peer fundraising
Data analytics

Pricing and fees

Fundly has a 0% platform fee for organizers and relies on the generosity of donors to operate their service. Their payment partner, Stripe, takes 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for credit card processing. Learn more on their pricing page.

4. Donorbox

Donorbox has a quick setup and plenty of useful features, making it easy to start raising money. More than 80,000 organizations trust this online giving platform. It’s among the best fundraising platforms for nonprofits, businesses, and individuals.

A few of Donorbox’s features:

Customizable donation and fundraising pages
Recurring donation forms
Peer-to-peer fundraising
Crowdfunding campaigns
Quick and secure checkout
A goal thermometer to measure fundraising efforts

Pricing and fees

Donorbox has a 1.75% or 2.95% (if you need additional features) platform fee, which is charged for each transaction/donation.

They also offer a paid plan – $139/mo with a 1.5% flat rate fee, plus a payment processing fee. These fees vary from processor to processor.

Explore their plans, fees, and features on their pricing page.

5. Fundraise Up

Fundraise Up provides useful tools for nonprofits to engage with donors, personalize their giving experience, and increase fundraising revenue. It’s a great online fundraising platform that at least thousands websites use.

A few of Fundraise Up’s features:

Customizable campaign pages
Global payments methods
More than 135 supported currencies
Recurring giving
Peer-to-peer fundraising
Automated emails

Pricing and fees

Per-transaction pricing, which means no monthly fees and no setup fees. A nonprofit can request a Fundraise Up account and receive a 4% platform fee rate when approved. Learn more on their pricing page.

6. PayPal Giving Fund

PayPal Giving Fund helps nonprofits reach new donors on PayPal, eBay, and other online platforms. They receive donations, provide receipts, and grant the funds to charities directly to their PayPal accounts.

A few of PayPal Giving Fund’s features:

Easy enrollment
Simple donation tracking
Reports and receipts
View donor details (if the donor agrees to share their details with you)
Ability to update charity profile page

Pricing and fees

It doesn’t charge charities or supporters any fees when no currency conversion is required. However, PayPal’s partners may charge fees on donations made through their platforms. PayPal payment processing fees apply to donations made on some partners’ platforms.

7. Bonfire

Bonfire is a fundraising platform that enables nonprofits to generate funds by creating and selling custom t-shirts without holding any inventory. When a campaign ends, Bonfire prints and ships them directly to donors. In addition to raising funds, this approach is also great for promoting a cause.

A few of Bonfire’s features:

Customizable organization pages
Easy setup
Frustration-free payouts
Thank supporters with personalized notes
Downloadable supporter list
Variety of t-shirt styles

Pricing and fees

As soon as you verify your nonprofit, the platform reduces processing fees to 3.5%.

Quick Tip

Explore other t-shirt fundraising ideas to supplement your online fundraising and reach goals faster.

8. Classy

Classy is a comprehensive fundraising platform for nonprofits of all sizes. They offer various customizable features and provide a seamless user experience. With over $6 billion raised for social good, it’s one of the most trusted and effective fundraising solutions.

A few of Classy’s features:

Aesthetically-pleasing templates
Customizable donation pages
Crowdfunding campaigns
Event fundraising
Donor management
Multiple payment options
One-time and recurring donations
Useful resources for nonprofits

Pricing and fees

Classy offers three plans (Essentials, Professional, and Advanced) with a suite of online fundraising tools, but they don’t display their prices publicly. Contact Classy directly by clicking Get Custom Pricing on their pricing page.

9. Indiegogo

While Indiegogo is a good fundraising platform for nonprofits, it’s best known for helping to raise money for creative ideas, technology products, and start-up businesses. It has a global reach with a community of over nine-million-strong, representing 235 countries and territories.

A few of Indiegogo’s features:

Easy to customize a campaign
Ability to create perks to reward supporters
Access to campaign guides and tutorials
Flexible funding – keep all funds, even if you don’t meet your goal
Fixed funding – Indiegogo refunds backers if you don’t meet your goal

Pricing and fees

The platform charges a 5% platform fee on all funds raised for your campaign. Indiegogo calculates and deducts fees from the funds you actually raise, not the goal you set. Their payment processor charges a processing fee that varies depending on your location and currency.

Learn more about fees and pricing on their Help Center page.

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How to make the most out of a nonprofit fundraising platform: Tips for success

Every online fundraising campaign starts with a thorough road map and clear goals, anticipating and guiding the nonprofit around obstacles towards success.

Here’s what a nonprofit should keep in mind.

Learn from successful fundraisers

Take time to explore how other nonprofits use online fundraising platforms for their campaigns and study their strategies to gain insight and inspiration. Pay attention to the types of campaigns they run, the messaging, and the tactics they use to attract and engage supporters.

Set a clear goal

Set a clear and achievable goal, carefully describing what you’ll use the money for. You can start by dividing a project into stages – launch a smaller campaign first and grow the audience from there. With smaller fundraisers, the goal amount won’t be so overwhelming.

Create a catchy title, add images and videos

Writing a clear, descriptive, and catchy title will encourage people to find out more, leading to more clicks. Similarly, images and videos play a big role, too. People are drawn to visuals that evoke emotions.

Write a captivating story

Tell a story by explaining the essential details first – why your nonprofit needs funding, what it stands for, who runs it, and introduce your team members. Earn supporters’ trust by explaining how you’ll use the funds and connect with them emotionally.

Promote your fundraiser

Develop a social media fundraising strategy. Engage with potential and existing supporters via Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok by sharing information, updates on progress, and interacting with the community. Create eye-catching visuals and content that captures the audience’s attention.

Quick tip

Reach your fundraising goals faster with a thorough nonprofit marketing strategy.

How can nonprofits benefit from Print on Demand?

With Print on Demand, nonprofits can further increase their digital fundraising efforts and raise more money for their cause.

You can design, create, and sell fundraising products with just a few clicks and without inventory. As soon as a supporter buys a product, our Print Providers take care of the rest – printing, packaging, and shipping.

As an example, Gary Stokes from OceansAsia successfully sells products that fund their marine conservation organization.

Here’s how Printify’s print-on-demand service works.

Step 1: Sign up

Sign up for a free Printify account and access various fundraising products, beginner-friendly design tools, and a worldwide network of Print Providers.

Step 2: Select a product

In the Printify Catalog, we have over 900 customizable products – from stylish apparel and handy accessories to beautiful home decor. Select your favorite and click Start designing.

Step 3: Add a design

With our intuitive Mockup Generator, you can easily upload your nonprofit’s logo, message, or graphics to reflect your organization’s mission and appeal to supporters.

Step 4: Connect a sales channel

We provide seamless integrations with all major eCommerce players, so you can connect to Shopify, eBay, or Etsy with ease.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best fundraising platform for nonprofits?

The best fundraising platform is the one that fits your nonprofit’s needs, budget, and goals. Some of the most popular are Classy, Donorbox, and GoFundMe, but carefully research them to make sure they fit your requirements.

What fundraising platform has no fees?

Fundly has a 0% platform fee. However, once you start receiving donations, their payment partner, Stripe, charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for credit card processing.

Another option is GoFundMe. The platform doesn’t charge to start or manage a fundraiser, but they have a transaction fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per donation.

Is there a better fundraising platform than GoFundMe?

Which platform is the best depends on your needs, budget, goals, and geographical location of your target audience.

When it comes to nonprofit online fundraising platforms, there are also other alternatives, like Fundly, Donorbox, and Classy.

A few closing thoughts

With online donation platforms, nonprofits can easily reach new supporters, raise funds, and positively impact the world.

Each platform has unique features, benefits, and fees, so carefully compare platforms to find the one that fits your fundraising campaign needs the best.

Whichever online fundraising platform you choose, don’t forget that you can reach your goals faster and raise additional awareness by designing, creating, and selling one-of-a-kind products to your supporters.

Make your own fundraising products today!

Start selling

The post The 9 best nonprofit fundraising platforms of 2025 appeared first on Printify.

The 30 best fundraising ideas for nonprofits (2025)

Leon Walker — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 01:39:00 +0000

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Fundraising remains unrivaled as an excellent method of supporting a meaningful cause and positively impacting the community.

Whatever you’d like to support, a fundraising campaign is a great way to engage with an audience and nurture meaningful relationships that could last a lifetime.

In this article, we explore the 30 best fundraising ideas for nonprofits to help you rally the community, win the hearts and minds of new supporters, and raise funds for your cause.

Easy online fundraising ideas for charity

Since most of us are familiar with using digital products, there’s a good chance that people will embrace your online fundraising event. They’ve become an excellent tool for many nonprofits.

If you combine the power of social media, conferencing technology, and online fundraising pages, raising money could happen quickly.

These fundraising events are a win-win for both involved parties:

Individuals. A convenient way to support a cause from the comfort of their home without losing time to attend in-person events.
Nonprofit organizations. An opportunity to engage with people worldwide, easily expanding beyond the local community.

Online fundraising encourages generosity by providing a seamless donating experience, making it easier for supporters to contribute and helping organizations to make more money for their cause.

Sell unique products with Print on Demand

Print on Demand stands tall as one of the best ways to raise money for charity. A simplified fulfillment method that helps nonprofit organizations design, create, and sell custom products to a wide market.

When designs are ready, the supplier prints, packages, and ships the products directly to your supporter’s doorstep.

This business model has no minimum order quantity, so a nonprofit doesn’t have to worry about losing money due to unsold stock.

Pro tips

Learn more on how to raise money for charity using Print on Demand with Gary Stokes – a stellar example who creates products to raise money for marine conservation.

Our Printify Blog covers dozens of success stories and design examples with inspirational insights for nonprofits.

Make your own fundraising products today!

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Organize a virtual concert

In our age of technology, organizing a virtual concert is an innovative way to attract an audience. A virtual concert, especially a live performance, is an online fundraising event like no other.

There are multiple platforms you can use:

StageIt. Sell tickets to a once-in-a-lifetime experience your supporters will enjoy. The audience becomes a part of the show – they can ask artists questions, request songs, and chat with other supporters.
YouTube. As a beginner-friendly option, Youtube’s great for nonprofits of all sizes, enabling them to stream live concerts and collect donations.
Twitch. Popular for live streaming games, Twitch’s also great for hosting virtual fundraising events, including concerts. The platform provides live chat and donation features.

Online events help to save money on venue rental and expenses such as security and avoid logistical challenges, like travel and accommodation for artists.

Start an interactive live stream

A great way to connect with a worldwide audience, live streams are one of the best fundraising ideas for nonprofits by amplifying their reach, impact, and donations.

With freely accessible streaming services like Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, your heroic deeds will quickly gain attention.

Choose from many options, such as talent shows, battle of the bands, storytelling hour, trivia nights, or gaming marathons to entertain viewers in extended video sessions.

Livestreaming allows you to create a true community event, enabling people to chat and solicit donations with personalized messages.

Pro tip

Invite local bands, artists, and celebrities to create a sense of community.

Set up a Zoom scavenger hunt

Virtual Zoom scavenger hunts provide an easy way for a nonprofit organization to raise money while engaging supporters.

They’re virtual games where participants scramble to find items and complete challenges before time runs out, competing for a chance to win awesome prizes. Tasks could include retrieving their favorite t-shirt or answer a riddle to earn points.

Take things to the next level by allowing players to suggest a task in exchange for a small donation.

Run an art class

If your focus is on arts and culture – this one’s for you. Invite a local artist or a professor to teach drawing, painting, or calligraphy, sharing fun techniques for anyone to learn.

Advertise the event on social media pages, sell tickets, and send the live stream link to those who signed up.

Pro tips

Partner with local businesses that can provide art supplies for attendees at a discounted price.

Inquire whether local artists offer goodwill donations in exchange for publicity. If they donate artwork – organize silent auctions with the help of a platform like Qgiv.

Create a social media challenge

As a cost-effective way to raise funding, social media challenges have the potential to become a true goldmine for nonprofits. The huge success of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is a shining example of their power.

Invite supporters to do something fun, silly, or difficult to raise awareness of a cause. Once they complete the challenge, it’s their followers’ turn.

Remember to:

Use the right hashtag. Add a hashtag to make sharing easy and keep your nonprofit at the heart of the challenge. Three hallmarks of a great hashtag – easy to read, understand, and remember.
Add social sharing links to your donation page. With social media sharing, you encourage supporters to promote their contribution to followers.

If you use social media strategically, your reach is global – invite supporters to translate the challenge into their native language.

Organize a raffle fundraiser

Cross your fingers – we have an awesome prize for the lucky winner! This gesture has a long-lasting impact, raising curiosity and funding. Sell raffle tickets as part of a broader fundraising event or as a stand-alone activity.

The first step? Partner with a local business for in-kind donations – it’s a great way to create a prize package without breaking the bank. Set up a dedicated fundraising event page where people can enter the draw for a small registration fee.

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Offline charity fundraising ideas

While online fundraisers are very convenient, an offline event is a slightly better way to strengthen the bond between the nonprofit and the community. They provide face-to-face interactions and allow people to support the cause hands-on.

Start an auction

When searching for ideas to raise money for charity, don’t overlook the classic auction fundraiser. Whether it’s artwork, an experience, or one-of-a-kind items, these events generate excitement while raising money.

Strike deals with local restaurants, travel companies, or hotels to provide their products and services. Create a sense of friendly competition among participants to skyrocket final prices.

Follow these steps to start an auction:

Define the fundraising goal and purpose
Decide on items or experiences to offer for bidding
Reach out to local businesses or artists
Create a marketing plan
Find a venue

Organize a running or walking event

A traditional fundraising idea that appeals to many, from joggers and professional athletes to casual walkers. Whether a charity run or a community walk, they’re easy to organize, promote a healthy lifestyle, and unite people with common values.

In addition to an entry fee and selling branded merchandise, like t-shirts and water bottles, you can raise money through peer-to-peer fundraising. The platform 99Pledges helps participants create a personal donation page to share with family and friends.

Pro tip

Partner with local grocery stores to provide refreshments in exchange for publicity and a chance to impact the community.

Try sports games

Whether it’s a football match, a basketball game, or a golf tournament, sports games provide a thrilling experience for players and spectators alike.

In addition to fostering healthy competition and spreading the word about your cause, they offer relationship-building with existing and potential supporters. The entrance fee and sponsorships can raise significant funds.

Pro tip

Find out if local schools or businesses are interested in hosting the event – they may have the necessary facilities and equipment.

Organize a charity dinner

Invite your supporters to an unforgettable evening of dinner, drinks, and live performances, allowing them to connect and create new bonds.

To make sure funds go directly towards your cause, partner with a local restaurant to save on venue, food, and staff costs.

Have a garage sale

For a cost-effective fundraising event, the humble garage sale is at the top of the list with almost no startup costs.

Invite your supporters, friends, and neighbors to donate items they no longer need, find a location, and set a date. You might need volunteers to help prepare displays and take care of customers.

Set up a petting zoo

If you run an animal welfare nonprofit, this one’s a top choice. Almost everyone has a soft spot for pets, so attracting attendees won’t be hard.

You’ll need to find local farms, zoos, and animal shelters that will loan animals like ponies, bunnies, goats, dogs, and perhaps llamas or alpacas.

While it’s a great fundraising idea, hiring trained staff and providing a safe and secure area for the animals requires careful preparation.

Wash cars for donations

An age-old fundraising idea that’s often overlooked but remains highly effective. By washing cars in exchange for donations, you can connect with the community while spreading the word about your cause.

Try to find a location near high-traffic areas, making sure there’s plenty of space for washing, drying, and collecting money from your new supporters.

Pro tip

To add a bit of fun, give your car wash a theme. Whether superheroes or supervillains, an interesting theme makes the event much more enjoyable.

Plant trees

As the concern for the environment grows, planting trees is a deed that’s sure to gain attention.

Set up a tree-planting day, invite your supporters to donate to your organization, then plant a tree on their behalf. Partner with the local native plant nursery to source healthy tree saplings and find a location for planting.

Go oldschool, go door-to-door

A door-to-door fundraiser is as simple as it sounds – volunteers go to houses asking for donations. An effective marketing approach allowing nonprofits to have one-on-one conversations with potential supporters.

Seasonal charity fundraisers

As a nonprofit, you need to find creative and consistent ways to raise money throughout the year. Seasonal fundraisers can create a sense of unity, engage the community, and bring in additional funds.

For example, organize pumpkin-themed bake-offs in the fall and host sports tournaments in line with their seasons.

Create and sell seasonal products

With seasonal products, nonprofits can tap into the excitement that comes with each new season. Not only are they great for generating additional revenue, but they also serve as a powerful tool for spreading awareness of the cause.

In our beginner-friendly Product Creator (formerly known as Mockup Generator), personalize merch to capture the season’s spirit with over 900 high-quality products to choose from.

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Snowy dog walks

A snowy dog walk is a fun way to raise money for a good cause while allowing participants to enjoy winter scenery with their furry friends.

Select a day when there’s fresh snowfall, choose a scenic location such as a local park, nature trail, or an open field – and set a small admission fee.

Pro tip

Provide warm drinks and wintery treats to encourage participants to stay and chat, giving you more time to pitch your cause.

Seasonal drawing contest

Consider organizing a seasonal drawing contest if you’re after a simple fundraising event idea. With different themes for each season – summer flowers or winter landscapes – they can attract a large audience, children and adults alike.

Encourage participation by offering an enticing reward, like a cash prize, gift card, or a chance for the winning artwork to be displayed in a local gallery.

Organize a concert

Whatever the season, concerts never fail to draw people together. Organizing a concert is the perfect fundraising idea for nonprofits of all sizes.

Try to partner with a local bar or venue to save on costs and increase the likelihood of attracting a crowd.

Sell fresh fruits and vegetables

Set up a farmers market with an array of locally grown produce. Invite knowledgeable vendors and create a welcoming atmosphere to celebrate the joys of fresh local food with supporters.

Host a cook-off

When summer comes around, cook-offs quickly become one of the best fundraising ideas for nonprofits. Whether a chili cook-off or a BBQ competition, this event provides friendly competition and tasty food for everyone.

Allow the public to participate by paying an admission fee, giving them the freedom to taste and vote for their favorite.

Easy and inexpensive fundraising event ideas

While first learning how to start a fundraiser for charity, it’s best to take it slow, so here are a few easy and inexpensive ideas anyone can try.

Accept challenges for donations

Set up a fundraising page and invite people to challenge you to do something out of the ordinary – fun, entertaining, or a little daring. For example, they could challenge you to sing a song in a silly voice, perform a TikTok dance, or take a cold plunge.

Playlist fundraiser

Supporters pay to add songs to a nonprofit’s playlist, which they have to play during a designated event. It’s great for peer-to-peer fundraising – anyone can encourage their friends, family, and followers to add tracks.

Organize a trivia night

A fun idea anyone can organize with very little investment. This fundraising event could attract many people interested in testing their knowledge while supporting a good cause.

Hold a bake sale

One of the easiest fundraising ideas, a bake sale confidently ranks at the top. Whether you bake cupcakes, doughnuts, or cookies, takers won’t be hard to find – everyone loves baked goods.

Set up a video game tournament

Participants pay to compete against each other for a worthy cause. Collect a small registration fee upfront and set aside a prize budget.

Don’t forget to host a live game broadcast for everyone – the entertainment value of watching skilled gamers can attract a wide audience.

Pet an animal for a dollar

If your nonprofit does animal rescue, this one’s an ideal option. If not, partner with a local animal shelter to host a wholesome event with them. The advantages are twofold – raising funding for a good cause and giving homeless animals a shot at finding a new home.

Start a Facebook fundraiser

With Facebook, launching a fundraiser has never been easier. The platform provides all the tools and features a nonprofit needs. In addition, hashtags, tagging, and sharing features let your supporters spread the word.

Sell compliments for a donation

You’ll need to set up a booth, but the rest is very straightforward. Onboard friendly and enthusiastic volunteers who’ll give out heartfelt compliments. Sell different tiers of compliments, ranging from $1-$10.

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Support your cause with Printify

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Beginner-friendly design tool

Whatever designs you have in mind, our Product Creator provides a simple way to create one-of-a-kind products.

Large product selection

Choose to design from over 900 high-quality products. Personalize them to fit your fundraiser’s theme.

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Wide network of Print Providers

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Whether you want to bring your t-shirt fundraising ideas to life or create a few coffee mugs for your community members, we’re an all-in-one solution for fundraising success.

Closing thoughts

The process can feel overwhelming when you’re first learning how to raise money for a non-profit organization. Know that anyone can turn their fundraising idea into reality – there’s a wealth of resources to help you succeed.

Whichever of these ideas you choose, further increase donations by selling one-of-a-kind products. Our Printify Catalog has a world of products anyone can customize to their heart’s content.

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The post The 30 best fundraising ideas for nonprofits (2025) appeared first on Printify.