Nonprofit Fundraising Tools & Ideas
Posted by Ally Patterson
Fundraising on Easy Mode
Fundraising is essential for nonprofits, but it often involves too many moving parts. Donations, ticket sales, volunteers, and follow-up can quickly turn into a patchwork of tools and spreadsheets. With the right setup, fundraising can be simpler, more organized, and easier for supporters to participate in.
This guide covers practical nonprofit fundraising ideas and the tools that help bring them together in one place.
Quick Summary
- Best for: Small to mid-size nonprofits running events, campaigns, or ongoing fundraising
- Primary goal: Make it easy for people to give money, time, or both
- What you’ll find: Common fundraising ideas and how to organize them simply
Who This Is For
This page is for nonprofit organizers who are responsible for fundraising, including:
- Executive directors and staff
- Board members
- Volunteer fundraisers
- Program and event coordinators
If fundraising is part of your role, this page is designed to help you plan and run campaigns with less friction.
Common Nonprofit Fundraising Challenges
Many nonprofits struggle with:
- Managing donations, tickets, and volunteers separately
- Tracking who signed up, paid, or followed through
- Asking supporters to use multiple tools
- Repeating the same setup for each new fundraiser
- Limited staff time to manage logistics
The result is more admin work and fewer resources focused on your mission.
Popular Nonprofit Fundraising Ideas
| Fundraising Idea | Best For | How Tools Help |
|---|---|---|
| Donation drives | Ongoing or seasonal giving | Collect and track donations in one place |
| Ticketed events | Galas, dinners, performances | Sell tickets and manage attendance |
| Auctions | In-person or online events | Organize items, bids, and volunteers |
| A-thons | Walk-a-thons, read-a-thons | Combine sign ups, pledges, and payments |
| Community events | Festivals, fairs, open houses | Coordinate volunteers and collect money |
| Peer fundraising | Supporter-led campaigns | Make sharing and participation easy |
This list isn’t about trends. It’s about formats nonprofits return to year after year because they work.
How the Right Tools Support Fundraising
Successful fundraising often depends on reducing friction for supporters.
Helpful tools allow nonprofits to:
- Collect donations and payments securely
- Sell tickets or registrations
- Coordinate volunteers and shifts
- Share one clear link instead of multiple asks
- Reuse setups for future events
When everything lives in one place, supporters are more likely to participate and follow through.
How SignUpGenius Helps With Nonprofit Fundraising
SignUpGenius brings together the pieces nonprofits need to run fundraisers smoothly:
- Donations and payments
Accept donations or fees alongside sign ups. - Ticketed events and registrations
Manage attendance and payments for events. - Volunteer coordination
Assign roles and shifts so fundraisers are properly staffed. - Simple sharing and reminders
Make it easy for supporters to sign up, pay, and show up.
The focus is on clarity and ease, not complexity.
Fundraising Works Best When It’s Organized
Fundraising efforts are easier to manage when:
- Roles and responsibilities are clear
- Supporters know exactly how to help
- Money and logistics are tracked together
- Past events can be reused as templates
Organization doesn’t just save time. It helps fundraisers perform better.
Make Fundraising Easier for Everyone
When fundraising is simple to participate in, more people get involved and more support follows. Clear tools and thoughtful planning help nonprofits spend less time managing logistics and more time advancing their mission.
FAQ
What are the most common nonprofit fundraising ideas?
Common nonprofit fundraising ideas include donation drives, ticketed events, auctions, a-thons, community events, and peer fundraising campaigns.
What tools do nonprofits need for fundraising?
Most nonprofits need tools to collect donations or payments, manage event registrations or tickets, coordinate volunteers, and track participation in one place.
How can nonprofits simplify fundraising?
Fundraising is simpler when nonprofits use fewer tools, clearly define roles, and reuse setups for recurring events or campaigns.
Can fundraising include volunteers as well as donations?
Yes. Many fundraisers rely on volunteers for setup, staffing, and follow-up, making coordination just as important as collecting money.
Recent Resource Articles
Our whole church uses SignUpGenius for various activities, (meals for the sick, committee sign ups, etc.) and I've used it for many other groups of which I'm a member. Thank you so much for this wonderful site!
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