9 Effective Fundraising Strategies for Nonprofits to Replicate
Ever wondered how top-tier nonprofits navigate the fundraising maze so effectively? With insights from a Founder & CEO and a Development Director, this article sheds light on the most effective strategies. Learn about leveraging corporate matching programs, and don't miss the final tip on utilizing a corporate-giving model. With a total of nine game-changing insights, this read promises to transform your fundraising approach.
- Leverage Corporate Matching Programs
- Create Story-Driven Campaigns
- Host Community Storytelling Events
- Initiate a Board Giving Challenge
- Engage with Grant-Makers Strategically
- Partner with All-In-One Vendors
- Offer Monthly Facility Tours
- Launch a Monthly Giving Program
- Utilize a Corporate-Giving Model
Leverage Corporate Matching Programs
Integrated Corporate Matching has been a game-changer in our fundraising efforts at FutureFund. This approach draws on an underappreciated resource: the corporate-matching programs many businesses provide for their staff. We have created a complex system that streamlines tracking and including these business gifts, thereby enabling schools to maximize their capacity for fundraising.
This method is beautiful in its efficiency and possibility for exponential expansion. Schools can effectively double their donations by focusing on parents whose companies provide donation matching, sparing families from having to dig further into their own resources. The school gains as well as the corporate sponsors who get to highlight their community service.
Working with a middle school in Chicago's suburbs, we were helping them find money for a new STEM lab. Their past fundraisers had not been successful, and the parents were experiencing the weariness of continual asking. At that point, we presented our corporate-matching system.
We began by designing a basic parent's survey asking about their companies and any corporate-matching programs they might know of. The outcome opened eyes. Although most had never used them for school fundraisers, almost thirty percent of the parents employed businesses with matching gift programs.
Equipped with this knowledge, we enabled the institution to design a focused campaign. For every business, we created customized outreach materials outlining the needs of the institution and the effects of their possible contributions. We also simplified the donation process so businesses could match and validate parents' contributions easily and enable them.
The outcomes were amazing. In just a few weeks, the school had doubled its initial fundraising target in addition to meeting it. Seeing their contributions go twice as far delighted parents, and many were surprised at how simple the process was. A few nearby businesses even personally contacted the school to provide further tools and support for the STEM lab.
The scalability and sustainability of this approach help to explain its great efficacy. Once a school has found and established rapport with business partners, these ties can be grown year after year. It's not only about one-time gifts; it's also about creating long-term alliances that might help institutions continuously.
Create Story-Driven Campaigns
One of the most effective fundraising strategies we've used is creating strong, story-driven campaigns that connect deeply with our donors' values. We focused on making each campaign emotionally compelling by highlighting real-life stories of impact, allowing donors to feel personally invested in the outcomes. The success of this strategy comes from tapping into the power of storytelling to build a connection between the cause and the donor.
I recall one particular campaign where we shared the story of a family whose lives were changed by our organization's work. We didn't just focus on the facts or statistics—we made the campaign about this family's journey and how donors could be a part of it. The response was overwhelming, not just in terms of donations but in the way people reached out wanting to help even beyond monetary contributions. That's when I knew storytelling wasn't just a tool; it was the heart of how we could drive meaningful engagement.
The way to replicate this is to focus on the human side of your cause. Instead of simply asking for donations, tell the stories of the people or communities your nonprofit helps. This can be done through videos, blog posts, or even short updates via social media. Let the donors see the faces and hear the voices of those who are impacted by their contributions. When people feel like their money is making a tangible difference in someone's life, they are far more likely to give—and to continue giving.
What made this approach so effective for us is that it turned donors from passive participants into active partners in our mission. By centering the campaign around real people and their stories, we weren't just asking for money; we were inviting others to join us in something bigger than a single donation. It's a strategy that builds long-term loyalty and creates a community of supporters who feel genuinely invested in the cause.
Host Community Storytelling Events
One effective fundraising strategy we implemented at Marpu Foundation was hosting community-driven storytelling events. We invited beneficiaries and local community members to share their personal stories and experiences related to our projects. These events not only highlighted the real impact of our work but also created an emotional connection with attendees. By showcasing authentic narratives, we were able to inspire generosity and encourage donations. Additionally, we leveraged social media to share these stories widely, reaching a broader audience beyond the event attendees. This approach was successful because it emphasized genuine human experiences, fostering trust and engagement. Other nonprofits can replicate this by creating platforms for storytelling, ensuring transparency, and actively promoting these narratives through multiple channels to build a strong, supportive community.
Initiate a Board Giving Challenge
One of the most effective fundraising strategies I've used is what I call a Board Giving Challenge. It sounds fancy, but it's actually pretty simple—and it works because it taps into both the competitive spirit and the commitment of your nonprofit board members. Here's how it played out:
I challenged each board member to not just give themselves but to help raise a specific amount for the organization, tapping into their networks. We set a collective goal for the board that was ambitious but attainable, and we made it fun—tracking progress publicly at meetings and celebrating milestones. The peer pressure (the good kind!) kicked in, and no one wanted to be the one to fall short.
What made it successful? Two things: ownership and accountability. The board wasn't just watching staff fundraise—they were directly engaged. And because the goal was clear, it gave everyone something concrete to work towards. Plus, we communicated the impact their fundraising had in real time. They didn't just raise money; they saw how it was making a difference.
Want to replicate it? Start by setting realistic goals based on your board's capacity. Don't be afraid to nudge them a little outside their comfort zone. Track progress, celebrate wins, and be transparent about the impact. Make it a team effort, not a solo show, and your board will surprise you with what they can achieve.
Engage with Grant-Makers Strategically
These days, foundations and grant-makers are much more intentional and strategic with their grant-making. This requires thorough research by their staff to identify organizations that can advance their foundation’s/philanthropy’s mission and goals. As a result, many of these grant-makers will not hold open competitions for funding, nor will they accept unsolicited letters of intent (LOIs). Despite this, nonprofits should not be discouraged if they come across a foundation or grant-maker that has such a statement on their website, yet alignment with mission and goals appears to be strong. Instead, nonprofit organizations should work to identify ways to engage with that grant-maker that may boost their visibility and educate them on the wonderful work their organization is doing. There are so many nonprofit organizations out there—it’s impossible for foundations to keep track of the work and programs of every single one. When you come across a foundation that explicitly states that they don’t accept unsolicited proposals, use that as an opportunity to focus your organization’s efforts on bolstering your organization’s profile (via social media, op-eds, participating on committees and boards, and other avenues) within your nonprofit sector’s ecosystem. Focusing on these foundational efforts can pay off for your nonprofit organization later on.
Partner with All-In-One Vendors
One effective fundraising strategy I've used while serving on non-profit boards is partnering with "all-in-one" vendors for high-profile events. This approach compartmentalized costs, streamlined planning, and allowed us to set clear expectations for fundraising ROI from the outset. By consolidating services—such as event production, catering, and marketing—into a single package, we could simplify logistics and avoid unexpected expenses, all while ensuring high-quality execution.
This strategy was successful because it allowed us to better manage costs and allocate resources where they'd have the most impact. Additionally, working with one vendor meant everyone was aligned, which helped create a seamless experience for attendees, ultimately boosting engagement and donations.
Others can replicate this by identifying reputable venues or organizations with comprehensive hospitality offerings and negotiating packages that align with their event's scale and objectives. You might also try partnering with an organization that already has a strong event. This creates a more predictable financial model and ensures that the event and fundraising efforts are executed precisely and clearly.
Offer Monthly Facility Tours
We offer a monthly lunch and tour of our facility for anyone interested in learning more about our work. At that event, we share our philosophy of service, our programs, and our impact and also provide an opportunity for people to ask questions. And there are tacos!
As a homeless shelter, people are often unsure about how comfortable they will be interacting with our guests. But coming into our building with a small group of others who are there to learn more feels less intimidating. Once people get inside, we often see their anxieties and cautiousness melt away. They see the good work being done and want to participate. We see donations start for people new to us and increase for those who are already donors.
Launch a Monthly Giving Program
During the pandemic, I led a diaper bank, and let me tell you, it was a challenging time. Government funding and traditional donations became unpredictable. Relying on one-time donations wasn't enough. Many of our supporters felt the financial strain themselves.
We quickly realized we needed a more reliable way to support our non-profit and the families who depended on us. We decided to launch Changemakers, a monthly-giving program tied to our direct-service program for families experiencing homelessness. It gave us a steady stream of support, but more importantly, it helped our donors connect with the families we served.
The magic of this program came from how we communicated with donors. We wanted them to know they weren't just writing a check; they were making a real difference.
Why It Worked:
We prioritized showing our Changemakers exactly how their contributions were helping. With regular updates, text messages, and emails full of photos and videos, we brought them along for the journey. They could see our team in action: answering crisis calls, pulling diapers from warehouse shelves, and making deliveries to families living in cars, tents, and encampments.
To deepen that connection, we launched the Changemakers Story Series, where families shared their experiences of parenting while navigating homelessness. These honest, emotional narratives debunked misconceptions and allowed families to tell their own humanizing stories.
Keeping our Changemakers in the loop was key, so they shared our success. At one point, we partnered with a tech company to revamp our delivery model, going from fielding intake crisis calls to fulfillment to delivery across two countries in just 72 hours. We shared wins like this with them. We also surveyed Changemakers to show that their voices mattered and shaped our work.
What was the outcome? We grew from 9 to 72 monthly donors in just a few years! The ongoing communication and personal touches made our supporters feel like they were part of something bigger.
How You Can Try It:
To replicate this success, focus on creating a consistent communication plan for your monthly donors. Engage them with real, behind-the-scenes updates that make them feel like part of the team. Show them how their support is making a difference, ask for their feedback, and share stories of those you serve.
When donors feel like they're truly part of the mission, just like our Changemakers, they become deeply invested, lifelong partners.
Utilize a Corporate-Giving Model
We have a diverse and robust corporate-giving model that has allowed our peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives to thrive. Utilizing Classy as our donation portal, we are able to create a parent campaign and customized supporting campaigns, all feeding into that one total fundraising goal. Additionally, we have a good percentage of participating companies that offer a matching gift to further drive giving. We also are cognizant to recognize and thank those who participate through social media, email, and blog platforms, and routinely provide participants with impact graphics to share their contributions on their corporate or personal channels as well.
