3 Smart Fundraising Strategies for Nonprofits in a Tight Economy
Raising money for a nonprofit is always a challenge, but in today’s economy—where people are feeling financial pressure—it’s even tougher. Many potential donors are cutting back on spending, making it more difficult for organizations to secure the funding they need. But don’t worry! There are still creative and effective ways to bring in money without relying solely on large donations.
Here are three smart fundraising strategies that can help your nonprofit thrive even when money is tight
1. Sell Awareness Products on Social Media
One of the easiest ways to raise money and spread awareness at the same time is by selling branded products that align with your cause. These products not only generate funds but also serve as conversation starters, helping to expand your nonprofit’s reach.
For example, if your organization supports breast cancer research, you could sell a pink ribbon charm bracelet for $25, with a production cost of only $5. That’s a $20 donation per sale! By promoting this on your Facebook page, Instagram, and other social media platforms, you can encourage supporters to purchase an item that shows their commitment to your cause while also financially contributing.
Pro tip: Use Facebook and Instagram Shops to make it easy for supporters to buy directly from your page. Also, encourage customers to share photos of themselves wearing or using the product and tag your nonprofit!
2. Create a Monthly Giving Program
When donors feel financially stretched, they may hesitate to make large one-time donations. However, many are willing to commit to small, recurring gifts that fit within their budget. A monthly giving program allows donors to contribute a small amount—such as $10 or $20 per month—without feeling overwhelmed.
Why is this powerful? It creates steady, predictable income. Instead of relying on seasonal fundraising pushes, you’ll have a continuous stream of support year-round.
To encourage sign-ups, emphasize how small donations add up over time. For example:
- “Just $10 a month can provide clean water to a family in need.”
- “A $20 monthly gift covers school supplies for one child for an entire year.”
Make signing up easy by offering automated payments and providing incentives like exclusive impact updates or a small thank-you gift.
3. Partner with Local Businesses for Round-Up Donations
Another simple but effective way to raise money is by partnering with local businesses to implement round-up donation programs. This works by asking customers to round up their purchase total to the nearest dollar, with the extra cents going to your nonprofit.
For example:
- A coffee shop customer spends $4.75 on a latte and rounds up to $5.00, donating $0.25 to your cause.
- A grocery store purchase of $22.60 is rounded up to $23.00, with $0.40 going to your organization.
While each round-up donation seems small, they add up quickly—especially when done at businesses with a high volume of daily transactions!
To get started, reach out to local businesses and offer a simple way to set up the program. Many point-of-sale systems, like Square and Clover, already have round-up donation features. Offer to provide marketing materials (posters, social media shoutouts) to help promote the partnership.
Even in a tight economy, nonprofits can still raise the funds they need by getting creative. Selling awareness products on social media, launching a monthly giving program, and partnering with businesses for round-up donations are three effective ways to keep the donations flowing.
The key is to make it easy and accessible for people to support your cause, even if they can’t give large amounts. By using these strategies, your nonprofit can continue making a meaningful impact—no matter the economic climate.
What’s working for your nonprofit right now? Share your fundraising tips in the comments!