How to get funding for a nonprofit or charity: use these 6 tips

Knowing how to get funding for a nonprofit is key to supporting your cause. Make sure you’re aware of these methods and how to maximise them.

Whether your nonprofit is brand-new or has been around for decades, fundraising is integral to operate and make an impact on the world.

The good news is that people are generous and donate more and more to extraordinary causes. The bad news is that because there are so many amazing causes out there, many go unrecognised and underfunded.

Don’t let your fundraising efforts disappear in the crowd. Here are a few helpful tips on how to get funding for a nonprofit and the types of funding you should seek out:

Getting Nonprofit Funding

No matter how successful your nonprofit is, you’re always going to need funding. Here’s how to make the most of your opportunities:

1. Be Proactive, Not Reactive

From government grants to sponsorships, individual donors to community foundations, there is no shortage of funding sources you can tap into.

But before you send off that first grant application, you need a plan. Meet with your team to create a detailed plan that determines:

• Which funding opportunities align with your mission and vision, and how much can you raise from each
• What types of fundraising events to organise throughout the year
• Deadlines for grant proposals, federal grants, and other time-bound funding
• Which staff members will be in charge of each of your fundraising opportunities
• Your event calendar for the year; map out each source of funding, and work backward to create step-by-step plans for them
• How successful each opportunity was and what improvements to make in the future

The planning process should take a lot of time, but it’s worth it in the end. The more thorough you plan, the easier your year will be!

2. Deliver Standout Messaging

No matter your cause, there are likely hundreds of similar nonprofits and charitable organisations. Hook potential donors with your compelling purpose and fantastic story.

To create a strong message, consider the following:

• Why does your organisation exist?
• Who or what benefits from your organisation?
• What’s unique about your organisation, and how?
• How is it making a difference (e.g., making the world a better place)?

Show your donors a better world. Share your excitement about a future where we’ve cured cancer, how readers can help save the wildlife population, or how their in-kind donations will give underprivileged children the Christmas of their dreams.

Well-crafted stories resonate with readers. They’ll stick with them long after they leave their inbox or your web page, and inspire them to become funders of your cause.

3. Be Transparent

Transparency matters even if you didn’t hit a fundraising goal or failed to acquire grant funding. Give.org’s 2021 Donor Trust Report found that 63% of respondents rated the importance of trusting charities as “essential.”

According to Guidestar, transparent nonprofits frequently receive more contributions. They’re considered stronger organisations, and perform better “across a range of governance, financial, and operational dimensions.”

Guidestar also offers a free “Seal of Transparency” program, which is available to all nonprofits. Organisations publishing this seal receive 53% more charitable contributions on average than those that don’t.

4. Encourage Internal Involvement

Get your board members involved!

Foundation centres, family foundations, government agencies, and the like love seeing organisations where both staff and board are committed to a cause. It signals that the people doing the work are passionate about making a difference in the world.

When looking for new board members, make sure they know what’s expected of them. They should bring their time, money, talents, and resources to make your organisation a success.

5. Humble Brag

Grantmakers and donors alike want to know what you’ve accomplished, so don’t be afraid to humbly tell them how awesome you are. Highlight your successful track record of raising funds and putting them to good use. Share testimonials from donation recipients and how your nonprofit has made a difference in their lives. Provide case studies, white papers, and other research to support your claims.

Did your homeless housing project receive a record number of online donations last year? Share it! Did the federal government or a private foundation grant you more money to help victims of child abuse heal? Make that known!

6. Don’t Forget to Ask

Want to know how to get funding for a nonprofit? Ask for it.

This is as simple as it is important. Actually ask for donations.

The worst thing that can happen is getting told “no,” in which case you’re right where you started before asking. If you’re not asking for donations, you’re leaving money on the table.

Types of Funding to Seek Out

Now that we’ve covered how to get funding for a nonprofit, let’s talk about a few of your potential revenue sources.

Fundraising Campaigns

Want to raise funds? Throw a campaign together!

At Raisely, we have professional templates for all types of fundraising efforts, including:

• Peer-to-peer fundraising: Inspire your brand ambassadors to activate their social media networks to support you and your cause.
• Community fundraisers: Mobilise your community, but get them to rally around a cause, such as a school event, or raise funds for a communal project.
• Active events: Raise awareness and support your nonprofit’s mission, whether it’s for women’s rights, stopping cyberbullying, or something else worthwhile.
• Donation appeals: Create a sense of urgency by sharing why you need to raise funds for your cause.
• Giving day: Whether you’re activating donors on GivingTuesday or creating your own giving day, make the most of a 24-hour period by motivating people with a compelling message and a progress bar.

Grant Writing

Want to know how to get funding for a nonprofit without organising a fundraising event or campaign? According to the National Philanthropic Trust, grantmaking foundations accounted for 13% of all charitable spending in 2021.

Grant programs can give you the funding you need to attract more attention and achieve your fundraising goals. Grants are allocations from foundations, corporations, and governments to nonprofit organisations like yours. Typically, you go through an application process, and there’s often a lot of writing involved. Some nonprofits hire grant writers to do the work for them.

While applying for grants is a timely activity, your hard work can pay off. Just be sure to read the grant guidelines carefully and emphasise how you will spend the funds, not just why you’re applying for them. If you’re new to grant writing, we’ve compiled a few helpful tips to get you started!

Corporate Sponsorships

Corporate sponsorships can help you pay for events, programs, or other activities, reducing out-of-pocket costs. In exchange, the organisation sponsoring your nonprofit gets recognised for its support, either through branding, on your web page, an honourable mention, etc.

In other words, corporations get acknowledged for doing good, while your nonprofit saves money, which you can spend elsewhere. It’s a win-win!

Matched Giving

Wouldn’t it be cool if your $50 donation doubled to $100 without any extra effort on your part? With matched giving, you can make that happen!

Matched giving is an amazing way to boost your fundraising efforts and collaborate with organisations supporting your cause. Matched giving from big donors, corporate sponsors, or local businesses automatically matches donations received during a specified time period within a certain pool of funds, and is an excellent way to motivate donors to give.

Recurring Giving

A one-time $100 donation sounds nice, but do you know what’s even better? A $10 donation every month!

Encourage donors to set up recurring donations, rather than one-time gifts. A steady revenue stream makes planning events much easier, and many donors won’t even notice the money leaving their accounts every month.

Selling Goods

Want to raise extra funds and spread awareness simultaneously? Create an online fundraising store and sell some of your awesome merchandise. Your donors will give to your cause and get a tangible item in return!

With Raisely’s ticketing feature, you can start setting up your online store today!

In-Kind Donation

Money isn’t always everything. In-kind donations can also make a world of difference. In-kind donations are goods and services individuals and organisations donate to help a worthy cause. Goods can include clothing, furniture, appliances, or building materials, while services can range from volunteering at a soup kitchen to providing free marketing consultations.

How to Get Funding for a Nonprofit With Raisely

At Raisely, we’re here to help you bring your fundraising idea to life. Our team of fundraising experts has built powerful tools to help you create, fundraise, and grow. From customisable campaigns and templates to secure virtual wallet payments, our free all-in-one fundraising platform has everything you need to raise funds and do good.

Are you ready to create your next campaign? Request a demo to learn more today!