10 Nonprofit Fundraising Tips That’ll Help You Jumpstart Your 501c3

Are you new to the nonprofit world and wondering how to raise funds for a nonprofit? Believe it or not, fundraising doesn’t have to be as complicated as you may think.

There are lots of easy nonprofit fundraising ideas that require little to no money to get started. Read on to get inspiration for your next nonprofit fundraiser. 

1. Have a Giveback Night at a Local Restaurant: The Easiest Nonprofit Fundraising Idea

Are you looking for an easy fundraising idea that requires little to no cost to implement? If so, consider reaching out to your local restaurants and see if they will host a giveback night for you.

Read on for some of the chain restaurants that typically offer fundraising opportunities.

• There’s no better way to give back than with burritos. Contact Chipotle if you’re interested in hosting a fundraising night with them. All you have to do is get accepted and advertise your event. When your supporters go to Chipotle, you get 33% of the sales during your designated time slot. 
• Panera Bread is another popular chain that offers fundraising opportunities. If your organization is accepted, Panera Bread will design a customized flyer to help with advertising, and all you have to do is spread the word.  
• In the heat of summer, what better way to raise money for your organization than partnering with Rita’s Italian Ice? Rita’s Italian Ice hosts something called “Scoop Nights” for organizations where your nonprofit will get a percentage of pre-tax sales. 

These are just a few examples. Local businesses that aren’t chain restaurants are often willing to work with local nonprofits with a fundraiser.

2. Hold a Live Auction or an Online Auction

Auctions are one of the most profitable fundraisers to choose from; however, they are a great deal of work. If you decide to hold an auction, your organization needs to make sure that you have the staff and volunteers available to make it a success.

Some of the action items your team will have to have to work on include creating a budget, booking a venue, soliciting auction items, and much more. 

3. Host a 5K or a Walk-A-Thon

Although a lot of organizations have them, so there is some competition, people love to participate in 5Ks. These events have become incredibly popular, and they’re a great way to engage your supporters in a healthy activity.

Some of the key aspects of planning a 5K include choosing your outdoor space, creating an event website, and start registering runners and walkers. 

A 5K or a Walk-A-Thon isn’t an easy fundraiser to plan, but it will be worth the work. 

4. Crowdfunding: The Perfect Online Fundraiser for Nonprofits

During the times of COVID-19, crowdfunding is the perfect way to raise money for your nonprofit. Your staff or board can easily set them up from the comfort of their home, and people can donate to your cause easily from their computer or phone.  

Some excellent crowdfunding sites are Fundly, a free crowdfunding platform, and Handbid, a good tool for all-in-one fundraising features. Although Handbid charges a small fee, it has a stress-free setup, that’s extremely user friendly.  

5. Hold a Golf Tournament

There’s not a whole lot that we can do during COVID-19 that’s safe. However, outdoor activities are something everyone can still enjoy. Golf is a safe activity that can engage your supporters in the pandemic.

Typically the way a golf tournament works is your nonprofit organization partners with a private club that will host the event. Your organization would need to sell tickets and corporate sponsorships to the golf tournament fundraiser.

Make sure to sell the tickets in advance. Giving your donors lots of opportunities to purchase their tickets to the tournament in advance will increase the number of people in attendance. 

6. Face Mask Fundraiser: The Most Useful COVID-19 Fundraiser

During the COVID-19 crisis, everyone needs face masks. What better merchandise to sell for a nonprofit fundraiser? 

One of the ultimate nonprofit fundraising tips is if you’re going to sell merchandise, is to make sure it’s something people need. Everyone has a ton of t-shirts, so selling t-shirts isn’t the most lucrative fundraising idea.

Masks are a hot item, and during the pandemic, neighbors are genuinely trying their best to help out the local nonprofits in small ways that they can afford. Masks are affordable and necessary. 

To implement this fundraiser, visit a site that makes custom face masks, and upload your logo. Companies that are designed to work with nonprofits will also typically set up an online store for you so your supporters can purchase their face masks online. 

7. Sign Up For Amazon Smile

One of the easiest things that every nonprofit should be doing to fundraise is to utilize Amazon Smile. Register your nonprofit organization on Amazon, and they will donate 0.5% of sales to the nonprofits chosen by their customers.

After you register your nonprofit organization, notify your supports on social media and in your newsletter.

8. Have a 50/50 Raffle

A 50/50 Raffle works primarily the same as any other raffle, except for the raffle prize for the winner is half the money raised. The winner gets to keep half the money, and your nonprofit organization gets to keep the other half.

This type of raffle motivates the participants to encourage others to participate, so there’s more money in the pot.

Often, a kindhearted winner will even donate their earnings back to the nonprofit.

9. Have a Good Old-Fashioned Bake Sale

Everyone loves baked goods. If you’re looking for an easy and traditional fundraiser, your nonprofit organization can’t go wrong with a bake sale. 

Bake sales require no capital because baked goods are typically donated by volunteers and members of your organization. If you’re raising money for a school or religious organization, bake sales are always a big hit. 

10. Facebook Live Fundraising Event

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of people are spending time inside. Evening entertainment is now virtual. Why not capitalize on this opportunity and hold a virtual fundraising event?

Whether it’s a local band or artist, or a special guest speaker, live entertainment is sure to draw a crowd. Send invitations to the event on Facebook and be clear about your organization’s fundraising goals. During the actual event, your organization can directly ask the attendees to contribute.

Jumpstart Your 501c3 Today

No matter what your organization is, nonprofit fundraising and budgeting is an essential part of being successful. Start planning for your nonprofit’s financial future today.

If you’re looking to take control of your organization’s finances and need professional assistance, contact us today.