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Sustainable nonprofit fundraising requires a diverse mix of revenue sources. Relying too heavily on one type of income—such as annual charity donations or a single major grant—can leave your organization vulnerable if funding dries up. By strategically expanding your funding streams, you create financial stability and long-term success for your mission.
Below, we’ll explore actionable fundraising ideas to strengthen your nonprofit’s financial foundation.
Launch a Monthly Giving Program to Increase Donations
A reliable source of nonprofit donations is through a monthly giving program. This fundraising strategy encourages donors to contribute small, recurring online donations that provide a steady cash flow.
How to Get Started:
Create a compelling message about why sustained giving matters. Here are a few example messages that can organization could use:
A $10 monthly donation can ensure a survivor has access to immediate crisis support through our 24/7 hotline.
With a $25 monthly gift, you can help provide transportation for a survivor to reach a safe shelter.
Your ongoing support helps sustain critical advocacy services, ensuring survivors have access to legal and emotional support when they need it most.
Offer different giving levels so donors can choose what works for them. The levels could be $5, $10, $15 or $25 a month depending on your donor base.
Make sign-ups easy with an online donation portal right on your website.
Add a pop-up on your website encouraging visitors to become monthly donors, especially after they engage with impact stories or donation pages.
Launch a targeted text message campaign inviting lapsed donors to become monthly donors with simple sign-up links via text.
Use an email series highlighting the impact of sustained giving, sharing testimonials from monthly donors who have contributed
Show appreciation with personalized thank-you messages, exclusive updates, or special donor recognition.
Set a goal for your team related to monthly giving
How many monthly donors do you have now? Would increasing the number by 10% or 25% be realistic? Do you have the staff, volunteers and capacity to do monthly giving?
Why Monthly Donation Works:
Predictable income can help your organization with budget forecasting and recurring revenue.
Small contributions add up over time.
Monthly donors often give more over the course of a year than one-time donors.
Seeking more information about fundraising? Check out our upcoming fundraising free webinar: Mastering Donor Engagement and Management for Long-Term Success
How to Build Corporate Partnerships to Raise Revenue
Businesses, both large and small, want to support impactful causes. Establishing corporate partnerships can bring in direct nonprofit donations, sponsorships, in-kind support, and employee engagement in fundraising events.
How to Get Started:
Identify businesses that align with your mission
Look for companies that have corporate social responsibility initiatives related to your cause.
Research businesses that have supported similar nonprofits in your area.
Reach out to local chambers of commerce, business networks, and LinkedIn to find potential partners.
Develop sponsorship packages with benefits for the business
Create tiered sponsorship levels (e.g., Gold, Silver, Bronze) with different perks.
Offer businesses visibility through event branding, social media recognition, and speaking opportunities at fundraising events.
Emphasize community impact.
Offer opportunities for corporate volunteerism such as organizing group volunteer days where employees can engage directly with your work
Highlight corporate donors on your website, social media, and charity events.
Dedicate a section on your website to acknowledge corporate partners.
Post social media shout-outs recognizing business sponsors.
Provide businesses with co-branded marketing materials to show their support.
Example: A museum could highlight a corporate sponsor’s contribution in a donor appreciation event, and offer an exclusive networking opportunity for employees of the business.
Seeking more information about how to raise funds through corporate sponsors or corporate partnerships? Check out our upcoming fundraising workshop: Fundraising from Corporate Sponsors: Find & Track Prospects, Secure New Gifts and Retain Sponsors
Why Corporate Sponsorship Works for Nonprofits
Businesses gain positive PR and community goodwill.
Corporate sponsorships can provide significant funding for fundraising campaigns.
Employees of partner businesses may become donors or volunteers.
Securing corporate sponsorships is a long-term strategy that requires consistent relationship-building between corporate partners and nonprofits. Businesses often want to see a strong alignment with their values, a clear impact of their support, and meaningful engagement opportunities. By building relationships through ongoing communication, volunteer opportunities, demonstrating impact, and offering tailored sponsorship benefits, nonprofits can develop sustainable corporate partnerships that grow over time.
Create Events with Built-in Recurring Revenue
Many nonprofits host charity events, but not all events generate ongoing revenue. Consider incorporating membership models or annual giving societies into your fundraising events for sustained impact.
How to Get Started:
Create an annual giving society with tiered benefits for different donation levels.
Host fundraising events that encourage repeat participation, such as an annual gala or fun run led by volunteer committee members to reduce staff time.
Offer VIP memberships with exclusive perks like behind-the-scenes tours or early event access.
Why It Works:
Builds long-term donor relationships.
Encourages repeat participation in fundraising campaigns.
Creates a sense of community among supporters.
Invest Time in Grant Research
Many nonprofit organizations miss out on funding simply because they aren’t aware of available nonprofit grants. With dedicated grant research, you can find opportunities that align with your mission and programs.
How to Get Started:
Research local, state, and federal grants that support your cause.
Build relationships with foundations and grant officers.
Keep a calendar of application deadlines and renewal dates.
Dedicate staff time (or hire a grant writer) to increase your chances of success.
Why It Works:
Many funders specifically seek nonprofit organizations to support.
Grant funding can help launch new programs without relying on individual charity donations.
Ongoing grant relationships can create long-term funding opportunities.
Check out our upcoming free webinar on how to secure grant funding: 2025 Grants Trends and Projections
Develop Earned Income Opportunities to Diversify Revenue Streams
Organizations have faced significant changes in recent years and months, making it essential to explore reliable earned revenue models. Moving beyond dependence on grants and fundraising galas can help create financial stability while supporting your mission. This strategy involves leveraging your organization's strengths, assets, services, or expertise to generate revenue in alignment with your cause. Below are actionable strategies to build, manage, and sustain an earned income model that meets both financial goals and community expectations.
How to Get Started:
Offer mission-aligned workshops, webinars, or consulting services.
Provide training or educational sessions relevant to your expertise.
Offer leadership or skills-based training to other nonprofits or businesses.
Sell branded merchandise that supports your cause.
Offer t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, or other items featuring your nonprofit’s logo and message.
Partner with ethical suppliers to ensure alignment with your mission.
Example: An environmental nonprofit could sell reusable water bottles with sustainability messaging.
Develop fee-based programs that provide value to your community.
Charge for specialized programs, memberships, or exclusive content.
Offer sliding-scale fees to maintain accessibility while generating revenue.
Example: A food justice nonprofit could offer nutrition and cooking classes for a small fee.
Partner with local businesses to provide mission-related services.
Offer corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives such as employee volunteer programs or impact consulting.
Form partnerships that allow businesses to support your mission through their products or services.
Example: A youth mentorship nonprofit could partner with local businesses to provide job training for young adults.
Leverage existing assets to create revenue streams.
Rent out underutilized space for events, co-working, or community meetings.
Monetize digital resources such as toolkits, templates, or courses.
Example: A community center could rent its event space to local groups for meetings or celebrations.
Why It Works:
Earned income reduces reliance on donations and grants, providing financial sustainability.
Creates a predictable and scalable revenue stream, allowing for long-term planning.
Expands your nonprofit’s reach and impact by engaging a broader audience beyond traditional donors.
Strengthens relationships with businesses and community members, fostering new funding and partnership opportunities.
By strategically implementing earned income strategies, nonprofits can diversify their funding, sustain their programs, and increase their impact while staying true to their mission.
It is important to review with your accounting department unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) which refers to income generated by a tax-exempt nonprofit organization from activities that are not substantially related to its mission. If a nonprofit consistently earns UBTI, it may be subject to federal income tax on that revenue, potentially impacting its financial sustainability. To avoid excessive taxation and maintain tax-exempt status, nonprofits must ensure that revenue-generating activities directly align with their mission or seek exemptions, such as volunteer-run businesses or activities contributing substantially to their purpose. Understanding UBTI is crucial for nonprofits developing earned income strategies, as improper management could lead to unexpected tax liabilities or scrutiny from the IRS. To learn more about UBTI check out this resource from the National Council of Nonprofits.
A Diverse Funding Strategy Ensures Stability
No single funding stream will sustain your nonprofit forever. By integrating monthly giving programs, corporate partnerships, recurring charity events, nonprofit grants, earned income opportunities, and online fundraising campaigns, you can create a strong, resilient financial foundation for your organization.
Take Action Today:
Choose one or two new fundraising ideas to implement this year.
Set clear goals and track results.
Engage your board, staff, and volunteers in fundraising efforts.
A diversified funding strategy doesn’t just increase revenue—it strengthens your mission’s long-term impact. Start today and build financial security for your nonprofit’s future!
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