If anything, recent years have shown the creativity and resilience of nonprofit organizations. Charitable organizations and nonprofits have been challenged by a pandemic, an uneasy economy, inflation, and a growing use of technology. They all, at least in some way, have contributed to the increased need for more online fundraising ideas. In this article, we will explore the benefits of online fundraising and how it can benefit both donors and the organization. We will even share some exciting and effective online fundraising ideas. We will help demonstrate how you, too, can join in on the concept. The benefits of online fundraising Online fundraising is growing in popularity, mainly because of its ease and efficiency. Online fundraising events are also growing in number, scale, and quality because of the many benefits for the organization and the donors. Benefits for donors No Need to Travel to an Event No Need to Dress Up For an Event Participate on Their Own Timeline Participation is Easy Quick Digital Payments A Wide Variety of Event Types to Choose From A Wide Array of Ways to Get Involved Supporters Can Participate From Any Internet Connection Mobile Connectivity A Wide Choice of Ways to Participate Financially Benefits for nonprofits Lower Fundraising Costs Generally Less Labor Intensive Instant Payments No Venue Costs No Food Costs No Decorating Expense Wider Potential Audience Supporter Data is Still Available Corporate Sponsorship Funding is Still Possible Clean Up and Follow Up Is Simple What are the different ways to fundraise online? Online fundraising efforts can often mimic in-person events. They can include merchandise sales, auctions, and straight-forward donations. Online fundraisers can include individuals, groups, or teams. Events can be targeted at a specific cause or audience. Online fundraisers allow even smaller organizations to create exciting events that can generate significant funding. 17 Best Online Fundraising Ideas Online fundraising events are also flexible in their length. They could last for weeks or just a few hours. Some events are crafted, so participation can be accessible for days or weeks but can culminate in a streaming event. Online fundraising ideas may only be limited by your imagination. There are management software programs that allow for such events to be crafted on almost any scale. Even if your onsite talent and resources are limited, online fundraising can be a powerful option to boost support for your events and your organization. 1. Recurring Giving Programs Many organizations have found that while acquiring an initial donation may be difficult, future donations may be easy. Why not facilitate both at once? When creating online fundraising ideas, be sure to give supporters an option for ongoing gifts. These gifts are scheduled automatically and can be set up for monthly, quarterly, or annual donations. This makes it easy and affordable for donors to support your organization while providing an established source of revenue generation. It can all be done by adding another simple payment option to your donor submission form. These can sometimes be similar to a membership program. PRO TIP FOR RECURRING GIFTS: Encourage recurring gifts by using positive language like “Boost Your Giving” or “Power Up Your Donation.” It can also be a convenience to allow supporters a choice of dates when donations will be withdrawn. Make recurring giving an option for any fundraising effort of your organization. 2. Crowdfunding Campaigns Many nonprofits are discovering the power of crowdfunding as part of their fundraising toolbox. Crowdfunding campaigns can be particularly effective with short-term fundraising efforts or when there is a specific need to be fulfilled. When your organization has a need for a new roof, computer system, or even software, a crowdfunding fundraiser can help. It sets a specific goal to be reached within a targeted time period. Crowdfunding is also popular because it can be done for more than one purpose per year. Crowdfunding can be effective for organizations faced with an immediate need or an emergency or a natural disaster. PRO TIP FOR CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGNS: Set a specified goal and timetable for any crowdfunding campaign you select. Keep in mind that some crowdfunding platforms can have significant fees to use their platforms. Explore your options, including using your own program or software. 3. Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Peer-to-peer fundraising is growing in popularity, and more organizations are making it a part of their calendar. Peer-to-peer fundraising is when a person raises funds from their network of friends, family, and coworkers. Their network wants to show support for their participation while benefiting your organization. There are often levels where participants earn rewards or recognition for their efforts. Peer-to-peer fundraisers often place peer groups in competition with each other to motivate fundraising efforts. Peer groups may enter different categories, like family, corporate, or as individuals. The people who are successful at their fundraising efforts are frequently recognized and celebrated. PRO TIP FOR PEER-TO-PEER FUNDRAISING: The success of this type of fundraising often depends on a competitive atmosphere between peer groups. This can be fueled, in part, by incentives, contests, and bragging rights. It also depends on accurate, up-to-date fundraising “standings” being posted online. Make sure donor deadlines are clearly stated to prevent any potential conflicts with what is considered a valid, on-time donation. 4. Online Donation Pages Your organization can benefit from ever-present donation landing pages that should be frequently linked to your other digital resources. This serves as an open invitation to your supporters, who can donate easily as they feel compelled. Online donation pages are also key to any short- or long-term fundraising campaign. PRO TIP FOR ONLINE DONATION PAGES: Ensure donation pages are barrier-free and streamline gifting. All payment options should be clearly listed, including a recurring gift option. 5. Giving Tuesday Campaign Giving Tuesday is an annual digital event that takes place on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. Nonprofits encourage donations on that day as part of a worldwide movement to make ours a better place to live. Participating is easy by creating a Giving Tuesday donation page and promoting it in the weeks and days prior to that date. The effort that follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, now generates an estimated $3 billion in charitable donations annually. PRO TIP FOR A GIVING TUESDAY FUNDRAISER: While Giving Tuesday is so effective due to the massive amount of publicity the event gets, your success will depend greatly on your individual efforts. Social media in particular is critical in promoting your group’s participation in Giving Tuesday. Be sure to include reminders to give in the days leading up to Giving Tuesday. 6. Merchandise Sales Merchandise sales have become a large part of the fundraising efforts of some large organizations. Some have successfully sold everything from cookies and popcorn to candy bars and cheese trays. Your organization can sell a number of items to help with your online fundraising efforts. A campaign can last for a specific period of time or be ongoing. There are plenty of companies who will drop-ship items for you, making filling orders simple. Your organization promotes the sales and is paid a commission for each sale. Groups can fundraise by selling branded merchandise, custom T-shirts, hats and visors, and an almost unlimited amount of other goods and services. Some organizations have made a merchandise page an ongoing part of their website, with items made available seasonally. PRO TIP FOR A MERCHANDISE SALE FUNDRAISER”: While some organizations find ongoing success with merchandise sales year round, it may be easier to motivate supporters for a four- to six-week promotional sale. Such an annual sale can become a part of your calendar of events and can stir enthusiasm. In these annual-type sales, it can be helpful to carry a single product or line of products that you specialize in selling as a fundraiser. . 7. Matching Gifts Many employers offer matching gifts for their employees who make donations to specific organizations. Perform some due diligence to discover major local employers who have matching donation programs and publicize them online and through your social media. It can grow donations significantly. You could also recruit some of the major employers in your area to match the support of their employees who support your organization. In return, you can offer recognition online, on social media, and through a press release to local media. PRO TIP TO INCREASE MATCHING GIFTS: While matching gifts are a powerful way to increase participation and the amount of donations, they can be labor-intensive to increase in a local or regional market. Enlist the help of your supporters to ask their employer if they are willing to match gifts. Some companies may have general matching gift programs that aren’t highly publicized. Smaller companies may match donations on a per-request basis. As with the help of supporters to expand your matching gifts. 8. Virtual Events Many organizations have turned to virtual events to serve as fundraising events. This may include seminars, conferences, and networking opportunities. They could include talent shows or comedy shows. Virtual events often combine elements of in-person events and digital and streaming events to generate funding. Some organizations will make exclusive content a part of their virtual events. PRO TIP FOR VIRTUAL EVENT FUNDRAISERS: Virtual events, although effective, can sometimes be complex to pull off seamlessly. Make sure you are prepared with the technology and software needed, especially if your event has both live and virtual elements. Research virtual event platforms carefully. 9. Online Auctions Online auctions can reach a much wider audience than an in-person fundraiser. It may also reach more people with an interest in specific merchandise. Auctions can last for days and even culminate in a live broadcast where high bids are revealed. Local merchants may be willing to donate merchandise and packages put together to encourage larger bids. Consider unique items like :A Police Ride Along,” a helicopter ride from the sheriff’s department, or dinner with a local celebrity. You may also find a local bed and breakfast or AirBNB to donate a weekend. Unique items often do well during online auctions. PRO TIP FOR ONLINE OPTIONS: Imagination and creativity are one of the most powerful tools in creating a successful online auction. For example, auctioning off “A Chance to Win a Million Dollars” may generate more bids than $50.00 in lottery tickets. Including theater tickets and dinner for two in a hotel room can make an appealing “Romantic Weekend Getaway Package.” Bundling auction prizes and creating gift baskets can increase revenues just through a little creative marketing. 10. Email Campaign In some cases, online fundraising can be as simple as creating an email campaign and sending notices of solicitation. The email campaign can be made more effective when adding incentives like branded merchandise or entries to a prize drawing. Be sure to set a deadline and drawing date for participants. Don’t forget that emails can also serve as a powerful way to promote other online fundraising efforts. Be sure to include a link to your event in the email. PRO TIP FOR EMAIL CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISERS: The success of many email campaigns often rely on a positive, exciting subject and easy-to-read, actionable content. Make sure emails are visually appealing and include a link to participate. Use a mail manager to track email messages and responses. 11. Text-to-Give Campaigns Text-to-Give campaigns can create a sense of excitement and urgency. It is similar to an email fundraising campaign but utilizes texting. This can have an immediate impact that can be increased by offering incentives for participation. Texts should be verifiable as coming from your organization or one of its principals. PRO TIP FOR TEXTING CAMPAIGNS: Texting campaigns are relatively new as a fundraiser, and initial responses may be mixed. You may be served well to try a limited initial campaign with your most ardent supporters. Keep messages brief and monitor results closely. 12. Corporate Partnership You can also improve your fundraising efforts by selling corporate sponsorships to your events. Sponsorships can range from major sponsorships that may include naming rights to small raffle item sponsorships. The ideas are almost endless. Good corporate sponsorship prospects include banks, car dealers, real estate companies, hospitals, colleges, insurance companies, and large employers in the area. A note about corporate sponsorship: Organizations should be aware that some potential corporate sponsors may have several pools of funds to tap into to support your organization through a sponsorship. They may have a funding pool for charities, for marketing, and for community outreach. These pools are not always controlled by the same person and may take a group meeting to organize successfully. In addition, you can look beyond for-profit businesses for sponsorship funding. Many universities, hospitals, and medical facilities may have the potential for corporate sponsorship. PRO TIP FOR CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS: Some local franchises may have access to corporate support for sponsorships of local events. Also, some government agencies may have funding available to support your event. Reach out to your local Chamber or Visitors Bureau for help and ideas. 13. Social Media Contest/Challenge Creating a social media campaign or challenge can help you take advantage of your current social media members and build your followers at the same time. Create a designated period for your social media fundraising campaign, and consider incentives for participation and spreading the word. Social media campaigns should be updated frequently to maximize effectiveness. PRO TIP FOR SOCIAL MEDIA FUNDRAISERS: Keep social media content light and positive, and keep info up-to-date. Encourage fun photos and brief videos. Recognize companies and individuals who are excelling at their efforts. 14. Google Ads It has been said that it takes money to make money. Google Ads can be a vehicle for that. Weigh your options and determine if a Google Ads campaign would work for you. PRO TIP FOR USING Google Ads FOR FUNDRAISING: Nonprofits can benefit from the Google Ad Grant, which provides up to $10,000 per month in free advertising. 15. Amazon Smile AmazonSmile allows supporters to make a small donation to your nonprofit every time they make an Amazon purchase. The program comes at no cost to supporters and allows them to support you effortlessly once they designate your organization through Amazon. PRO TIP FOR AN AMAZON SMILE CAMPAIGN: Amazon is not alone in paying commissions for referral sales. Many companies offer such programs with an easy sign-up and link placement. You can let site visitors know about how they can support you with a page full of referral links that can benefit your organization. 16. Limited Entry Raffle Could you get 300 people to buy a $10 ticket to win $2,500, especially if they knew sales would be limited to 300 people? Would it be possible to get 300 people to buy a $100 ticket to win $25,000 if ticket sales were similarly limited? If so, your organization could be on its way to building an ongoing, online fundraiser. Create a webpage that shows 300 dollar signs which get marked off as each ticket is sold. When all 300 are sold, you have a drawing for the grand prize, with your organization benefiting from the difference ($500 or $5,000, depending on your pricing). Ticket sales can be done both online and through personal contact from staff and volunteers. Your online webpage would reflect all sales, and excitement would build as your sales goal and drawing date nears. Additional secondary prizes could be donated to expand interest and sales. PRO TIP FOR LIMITED ENTRY RAFFLES: Make sure your raffle complies with local lottery regulations. Tracking ticket sales is important in maintaining excitement towards this event. Update ticket sales via social media. 17. Fundrasing Competition Put the creative juices of your supporters to work by challenging them to a 30-day fundraising effort. The key? Each person or group can create their own fundraiser that they feel will be the most effective or fit their talents or skills. Groups may decide to do a car wash, host a trivia event, conduct a bake sale, or offer singing telegrams. You promote these efforts on your social media and website and share updates. Encourage participants to share photos and videos. As the fundraising period ends, compile the results and share details about the winners’ efforts. It is sure to generate some fun and creativity, along with building camaraderie. PRO TIP FOR A FUNDRAISING COMPETITION: Make sure you provide support for groups participating in your fundraising competition by processing payments and through promotion. Which Online Fundraiser Will You Choose? Now is the perfect time to enhance your online fundraising efforts. At MemberClicks, we offer a range of software solutions to elevate your organization. With our tools, you can efficiently manage members and supporters, track fees and donations, and facilitate event planning. Our software helps transition your organization from spreadsheets to a comprehensive management system. Boost your efficiency and data management today. Contact MemberClicks for a product demo and a free trial, and take your organization to the next level.