43 Ways to Diversify Your Nonprofit Funding Sources

Traditional and relationship-based fundraising

1. Monthly giving programs

Recurring donations build consistent revenue. Make it easy for donors to enroll online and show them the long-term impact of their gifts.

DonorPerfect makes scalable monthly giving programs easy with a hands-off approach. Credit cards and bank accounts are charged automatically at the frequency and amount your donors designate, and automatic thank-you emails are sent out after processing.

2. Major gifts

Identify and cultivate high-net-worth donors who align with your mission. Relationships here are built over time and require personalized stewardship. Whether you have a handful of major donors or a robust portfolio, this group can make a big impact. In fact, 80-90% of a nonprofit’s revenue typically comes from major donors.

3. Grant funding

Apply for foundation, corporate, and government grants. Build a calendar to stay on top of deadlines and reporting requirements. Use the grant process to build lasting relationships. This will help you establish a revenue source that you can come back to in the future.

4. Peer-to-peer fundraising

Empower supporters to fundraise on your behalf by setting up personal campaigns and sharing them with their networks.

DonorPerfect’s online forms solution offers polished peer-to-peer fundraising forms that will build excitement around your cause and spread your mission to a new audience

5. Corporate partnerships

Partner with local or national businesses for event sponsorships, program support, volunteers, or in-kind donations. Your board may be a valuable resource for networking and building relationships with businesses that want to support your mission.

6. Workplace giving

Encourage donors to leverage employer matching programs or payroll deductions. Matching gifts are an easy way for your donors to double their impact, and with programs like Double the Donation, soliciting and submitting a request for a match is easier than ever.

7. Planned giving

Bequests and estate gifts provide long-term sustainability. Offer simple tools and educational resources to encourage legacy giving.

8. Donor-advised funds (DAFs)

Encourage donors to support you through their DAFs, which are increasingly popular, especially with your financially savvy donors. Make it easy by including DAF giving buttons on your website and educating your audience through blog posts or webinars on how DAFs work. Build relationships with local community foundations and financial advisors to increase referrals.

9. Events (with a twist)

Try new formats like trivia nights, virtual escape rooms, or hybrid galas to engage new audiences.

10. Membership programs

Offer exclusive content, events, or merchandise in exchange for an annual fee. Spend some time coming up with creative names for your membership group to create and instill a sense of belonging.

11. Text-to-give campaigns

Allow supporters to donate via SMS—perfect for events or spontaneous giving moments.

Did you know that 90% of texts are opened within 3 minutes of being received? Take advantage of that incredible open rate with DP Text. Easily reach your supporters, collect their donations, and track it all in your system

12. Community giving circles

Bring together small groups of donors who pool their resources and make collective decisions about where their combined gift goes. This fosters donor engagement, shared ownership, and deeper ties to your mission.

13. Fundraising challenges

Host step-count competitions, reading challenges, or social media dares that encourage donations through participation.

14. Volunteer grants

Encourage volunteers to apply for grants through their employers, who reward community involvement. Many companies offer “Dollars for Doers” programs, which contribute money based on volunteer hours. Educate volunteers about this opportunity and provide a template letter or documentation they can use when applying.

15. Board giving

Engage your board in fundraising and ask them to make individual contributions a part of their leadership commitment.

16. Nonprofit investment income

Place reserve funds in low-risk investment vehicles or community loan funds. Work with a financial advisor who understands nonprofit needs and restrictions. Even modest returns on investments can create additional revenue and support long-term sustainability goals.

17. Cause marketing

Partner with brands for co-branded campaigns where a percentage of sales or customer donations at checkout benefit your cause. These partnerships can also include round-up giving, where customers round their purchase to the nearest dollar to support your mission.

For example, Warby Parker’s buy a pair, give a pair campaign demonstrates this approach.

18. Alumni giving

If you serve youth or education-based causes, reconnect with past beneficiaries as potential donors. Alumni often feel a deep sense of gratitude and pride and may be eager to give back. Build a database of past program participants, and send a tailored outreach campaign that celebrates their journey and invites them to pay it forward. Consider forming an alumni committee to help plan engagement events and fundraisers.

19. In-kind donations

Secure goods or services that reduce your operating costs—technology, supplies, printing, etc. Don’t underestimate the benefits of in-kind giving. Track everything from canned goods to volunteer hours donated to truly track the impact of in-kind giving.

20. Matching gift campaigns

Double impact by asking a donor or corporate partner to match gifts during a specific period.

21. Prize drawings and auctions

Host online or in-person auctions or prize drawings featuring donated items or experiences. These events create excitement and encourage competitive giving. Offer a mix of big-ticket and accessible prizes to engage a wide range of donors, and promote them across email, social media, and events for maximum reach.

22. Social media fundraisers

Ask supporters to host birthday gift campaigns for your cause on platforms like Facebook. Provide easy-to-follow instructions and pre-written messages they can use. Highlight successful fundraisers on your social channels and thank them publicly. Social media platforms often give added visibility to these campaigns, especially around birthdays and holidays.

23. Community event fundraisers

Set up a booth at community events, outdoor markets, fairs, and carnivals to collect donations and raise awareness. Use branded signage, interactive games, or giveaways to attract foot traffic. Bring materials about your mission, and make sure you can collect donations digitally (via QR code or mobile POS) to make giving convenient.

Earned income strategies

24. Merchandise sales

Sell branded gear or mission-related products. Make it easy with online storefronts through platforms like Givecloud. Choose items that resonate with your mission, like reusable water bottles for environmental organizations or notebooks for education nonprofits. Use events, email campaigns, and social media to promote merchandise and tie revenue from sales into your larger fundraising goals.

25. Affiliate marketing

Promote products related to your cause and earn a percentage of sales. Choose affiliates that align with your values and will appeal to your supporters. This can be as simple as adding a banner to your website or sharing special links via email. Track performance to see what resonates most with your audience.

26. Fee-for-service programs

Offer training, consulting, or workshops related to your mission for a fee. For example, an arts organization might offer classes, or an environmental group could conduct sustainability assessments for businesses. Promote these offerings clearly on your website and make sure pricing reflects your value while remaining accessible.

Digital and data-driven strategies

Diversifying funding also means diversifying the way you reach and retain donors. These approaches can amplify traditional tactics.

27. Email fundraising campaigns

Segment your list to target specific donor interests and behaviors. Content directed towards target audiences can make a big impact on your response rates.

The DonorPerfect and Constant Contact integration ensure you have all the tools you need to make email outreach easy and impactful.

28. Giving days

Tie into national or local giving events like GivingTuesday for increased visibility.

29. YouTube monetization

If your nonprofit creates educational or inspiring video content, consider turning views into revenue. Optimize your videos with strong titles, keywords, and calls to action. To qualify for monetization, your channel must meet YouTube’s partner criteria, have at least 1,000 subscribers, and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months. Once eligible, nonprofits can earn from ads, memberships, and merchandise links.

30. Podcast sponsorship

Launch a mission-aligned podcast and offer sponsorships to relevant brands. Your podcast can feature interviews with staff, beneficiaries, or thought leaders in your sector. Promote your sponsors in the intro, outro, or even with sponsored segments. You’ll also strengthen your content marketing strategy and create new touchpoints with donors.

Take a look at The American Cancer Society’s podcast, TheoryLab, for inspiration.

31. Subscription-based content

If your organization conducts extensive research or offers specialized knowledge, consider offering premium content for a monthly or annual fee. This could include white papers, webinars, toolkits, or templates. Make sure the value of the content justifies the subscription to maintain engagement and trust.

32. Cryptocurrency donations

This is another means of charitable giving that your more financially and tech-savvy donors will take advantage of. Promote this option clearly on your donation page and explain the potential tax advantages for donors. Ensure your team is trained to answer basic questions and handle reporting.

Engagement opportunities

Funding diversification thrives when your community is connected to your mission. That includes volunteers, advocates, and even your staff.

33. Advocacy campaigns

Mobilize supporters for legislative change that also boosts visibility and engagement.

34. Youth advisory councils

Engage younger supporters with leadership and fundraising roles. Give them real influence over campaign ideas, messaging, or peer outreach. This fosters leadership development and creates a pipeline of lifelong supporters. Meet regularly, offer mentorship, and highlight their contributions publicly to keep motivation high.

35. Civic clubs and rotary

Tap into civic organizations for sponsorships, speaking engagements, or shared events. Partnering with a local Rotary Club brings valuable local connections, organizational experience, and a strong volunteer base. Together, you can increase community engagement and make a greater impact through shared goals and resources.

36. Cultural events

Tie your fundraising to cultural heritage months or community festivals. These events are powerful opportunities to connect with specific communities and celebrate diversity while raising funds. Partner with local cultural organizations and leaders to ensure authentic engagement.

37. DIY fundraising kits

Provide a downloadable toolkit so supporters can host bake sales, car washes, or birthday fundraisers. Include branded materials like posters, social media templates, donation forms, and step-by-step planning guides. These kits empower supporters to take action on your behalf and expand your reach organically through their networks.

38. Local business roundtables

Start a business council that meets quarterly to support your cause and build momentum. Invite business owners to network, share resources, and collaborate on community initiatives. Offer sponsorship or recognition opportunities in exchange for their support. These relationships often lead to long-term corporate partnerships and in-kind contributions.

39. Holiday drives

Food, toy, or coat drives bring in both donations and new supporters. Partner with local schools, libraries, or businesses to serve as drop-off points. Promote your drive with clear messaging and deadlines, and create a sense of shared purpose by showcasing stories of how these goods will directly benefit those you serve.

40. Anniversary campaigns

Celebrate your nonprofit’s founding or program milestones with a themed campaign that highlights your history, impact, and future goals. Anniversaries are a great time to re-engage supporters and invite them to help shape what’s next.

Creative and underused opportunities

41. Real estate or stock gifts

Accept donations of property or appreciated securities for larger, tax-smart gifts. Highlight this option in your year-end appeals and ensure your team is ready with clear policies and trusted advisors.

42. Endowment funds

Build a reserve for the future and encourage legacy contributions. Endowment funds are a great source of sustainable revenue. Before pursuing, ensure your organization has the infrastructure to manage long-term funds and hold these types of donor conversations.

43. Time-bound impact campaigns

“$25K in 25 Days” or “500 Donors by Friday” gives supporters a goal to rally around. Time-bound fundraising campaigns create a sense of urgency that motivates donors to act quickly, often leading to increased participation and higher donation totals within a short period. To hone this strategy, set clear, realistic goals, use compelling storytelling to show immediate impact, and promote the campaign consistently across multiple channels.

Putting it all together

Ready to diversify your funding?

The more diverse your funding streams, the more resilient and future-ready your nonprofit will be. You don’t need to implement all these ideas today, but starting with just a few new ones can make a big difference.

DonorPerfect empowers nonprofits like yours with tools for monthly giving, matching gifts, and automated communications so that you can focus more on your mission and less on manual tasks.