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Funding for public and private universities is getting tighter by the day, and development offices at universities around the world are quickly learning to adapt to a new reality. Higher education fundraisers need to keep sharpening their donor cultivation skills to learn new ways to fundraise to support research and teaching initiatives Internal research continues to find that fundraising for universities can be challenging and stressful, as donors often don’t consider investing in universities in the same way they think about donating to nonprofits or charities. We’ve done our own research from the university development landscape, and have put together some critical best practices for higher education fundraising.
A gala is a festival or celebration for a particular community. Galas typically focus on some characteristic of that community (usually a specific aspect of its culture, value system, or religion). Throughout history, galas included getting gussied up in your fanciest attire to enjoy food, entertainment, and celebration with your community. Fundraising galas have long been a useful tool for charities and nonprofits to expand their networks and raise much-needed money. Though they might sometimes feel like fundraising from a previous era, galas still work quite well for many organizations. Of course, it can be challenging to organize and execute an effective fundraising gala. Here are some handy tips and tricks to determine if a gala is right for your organization and ways to make your next fundraising gala a smashing success!
Amazon Smile is the sister website of Amazon.com with all the same products, features, and prices. Shoppers probably won’t notice any difference between the two sites. The sites are nearly identical, except when shoppers use Amazon Smile, the Amazon Smile Foundation donates 0.5% of the purchase price of all eligible items to a charity of the shopper’s choice. Amazon is the largest internet retailer in the world, so that 0.5% adds up quickly! Since it launched in 2013, the Amazon Smile Foundation donated over $80 million to nearly one million charities. In addition to your nonprofit's donation page, Amazon Smile is an easy, low cost way for your organization to receive a little passive income throughout the year. All your supporters need to do is set up their Amazon Smile account and select your charity, then start shopping like they usually do! Here are some tips and tricks to help your organization get more out of Amazon Smile. 
Updated September 2026. Corporate sponsorships are collaborative relationships designed to build brand trust and increase visibility for businesses while providing mission-critical revenue for social good organizations. Modern engagement can include direct financial contributions, often toward specific events and programs, employee-led giving opportunities, in-kind donations, and more. Corporate sponsorships have been around for decades. Many Fortune 500 companies have dedicated corporate social responsibility departments that find charitable organizations to sponsor, though others publicize online application portals through which any organization can request support. Some businesses also offer funding opportunities that are unlocked only through employee nominations. The hunt for corporate sponsorships can be overwhelming, but the potential benefits are great for everyone involved. Read on to learn the basics of corporate sponsorships for nonprofits and how to find the right sponsors for your upcoming events and initiatives.
Nonprofit fundraising has always been a challenge. Convincing audiences, even your most passionate supporters, to donate their hard-earned money is never an easy task. It takes careful strategy, relationship-building, and (increasingly) the right tech toolkit. In 2020 and beyond, fundraising won't get any easier, but that doesn't mean you can't continually improve your strategies and approach! In fact, tech developments and current events all point to exciting new opportunities for nonprofits that are ready to rise to the challenge. Consider these points:
Whether you run a nonprofit or you're looking for a way to help your favorite charity, peer-to-peer fundraising is an excellent way to raise money and connect with new supporters. People are more likely to financially invest in a nonprofit if they have a relationship with the organization. Peer-to-peer fundraising can strengthen relationships with your current supporters and develop relationships with new donors. With a little creativity, the right tools, and a little support from your friends, you can rally the troops to make a significant impact. Here's a list of six peer-to-peer fundraising ideas to get you started!
Peer-to-peer fundraising is one of the best and easiest ways to get your donors and supporters involved in the fundraising process. More than 43% of nonprofits that use peer-to-peer fundraising report that it makes up over 50% of their annual revenue! New data suggests that peer-to-peer fundraising is one of the most effective fundraising methods available to nonprofit organizations. Unfortunately, over 45% of nonprofits don’t take advantage of this new and relatively low-cost fundraising method. Are you ready to incorporate peer-to-peer fundraising into your fundraising plan? Here are five steps you can take to ensure your peer-to-peer fundraising campaign is a success.
Peer-to-Peer fundraising is one of the fastest-growing forms of crowdfunding in the nonprofit world! Nonprofits who start Peer-to-Peer (P2P) fundraising campaigns can raise money, expand their donor base, and mobilize their current network of supporters all at once! There are many reasons you should consider launching a P2P fundraising campaign for your nonprofit. Here are some basics and a quick-start guide to help you launch your first Peer-to-Peer crowdfunding campaign.
Social media is a central part of our culture. Most people are on at least one platform, and Facebook is the most popular social media platform, followed by YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. Social media is also transforming the way individuals and nonprofits network and fundraise. Facebook users donated over $2 billion to date, proving that social media platforms are significantly changing fundraising. If done correctly, you can expand your support base and raise significant funds on social media platforms, especially with Facebook. Here’s the key things you need to know before asking for donations on Facebook.
GivingTuesday began in 2012 as a grassroots movement to inspire people to give their time, talents, and finances to support causes and nonprofits they believe in. The movement quickly grew into a global effort, with millions of people around the world participating. The heart behind GivingTuesday is to unite people around a holiday centered on giving back during the season of consumerism and shopping (Black Friday and Cyber Monday). Since 2012, GivingTuesday efforts raised over $1 billion online in the United States alone! In 2018, nonprofits, schools, and organizations raised over $380 million online. The average gift size was $105. We’re excited to help you mobilize your volunteers, donors, and fans this GivingTuesday. No matter how big or small, your organization matters. GivingTuesday is an excellent opportunity to rally the troops, raise awareness about your cause, and bring in some year-end donations. Here are some tips for creating a successful GivingTuesday campaign.
Event registration can be very challenging and time-consuming. There are so many details to gather and track. But, having a smooth, seamless registration process for your guests is vital because this is their first impression of your event. Choosing an online event registration and fundraising software can be just as overwhelming! Many great options on the market offer loads of features and perks. However, there are several features that you just can’t live without. Here are five features that are “must-haves” for your event registration software.
You’ve decided to start a nonprofit in the New Year. That’s fantastic! There are so many needs and injustices in the world just waiting to be addressed. That feels especially true in 2022, after a tumultuous few years. There are currently 1.8 million nonprofits in the U.S., and we know that there are still so many gaps that need to be filled. Whether your mission is to improve your local community or address national or international issues, the world needs champions like you. Operating a nonprofit can be an enriching and life-giving journey, but it requires a lot of time, energy, and resources. It’s essential to be fully prepared and start the right way to avoid unnecessary complications and frustrations.
For nonprofit organizations, accepting donations online is absolutely essential today. Fortunately, it's easier than ever to get up and running with powerful sets of online fundraising tools quickly. However, the easiest online donation tools aren't always the most effective or the most valuable in the long-run! If you're new to online fundraising and are unsure of the best ways to accept donations online, it'll be worth your time to review the essentials.
Large or small, planning an event can be an overwhelming process. Have no fear! From setting your goals to running the event registration, we have all the information, resources, and tools you need to plan a successful event for your nonprofit. Here’s your step-by-step guide to plan events for your nonprofit that accomplish your goals.
Choosing the right fundraising event for your nonprofit or school can be confusing and overwhelming. There are literally thousands of fundraising options, from selling wrapping paper to throwing high-dollar luxury galas, and everything in between. Selecting the right fundraising event is about more than the dollars coming in; you should also consider your resources and manpower (what the event will cost). You don't want to burn out your volunteers, spend more money than the event brings in, or chase away your supporters. It might feel a bit overwhelming, but not to worry...we're here to help you develop the best fundraising events for your organization. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the right event to accomplish your goals.
Most nonprofits share similar unique marketing challenges; they must use limited resources to raise awareness of their mission to donors and the recipients of their services. Unfortunately, many nonprofits either avoid marketing altogether or lack a good strategy to get the most out of their marketing resources. No matter what kind of nonprofit organization you work for, quality marketing is essential and quality is better than quantity. There are several fundamental marketing principles and strategies every nonprofit should understand and utilize.
When was the last time you felt truly appreciated? It's more than good manners to say 'thank you' and acknowledging when your supporters give their valuable time, energy, and resources. It's an essential part of what many nonprofits call "donor care." Sincere gratitude helps build strong relationships between you and your donors. Whether you know it or not, your supporters are one of your most valuable assets, and it's essential to care for them well. Donors usually decide whether to continue supporting your organization based on three primary factors: Nonprofit Payment Processing: A Complete Guide & Glossary
You work hard to raise awareness for your cause, reach new donors, and solicit support for your fundraising campaigns. But how does a donor’s decision to make a gift translate into money in your organization’s account? That’s where payment processing and your donation tools come in. Just like other organizations, nonprofits rely on a steady flow of revenue to keep up their operations. You almost certainly already use online donation tools of some kind, and nonprofit payment processing is essential for converting that online support into real revenue. Online credit card processing is a huge part of our lives these days, so as consumers and donors, it can be easy for us to take it for granted. However, as a fundraising professional, you should be asking yourself (and ideally be able to answer) questions like:
Salesforce is a powerful and sophisticated tool for nonprofits. It has so many useful features that it can feel overwhelming to learn how to use the platform to the fullest. Imagine taking a child to the front of a 747 airliner, and instead of asking her if she wants to say "hi" to the pilots, say, "alright, time for you to fly the plane!" Just a bit overwhelming, right? Salesforce Trailhead and NPSP Days are excellent ways to learn Salesforce, making it fun and easy for your organization gets the most out of Salesforce. Our own Soapbox Engage even has a Salesforce MVP on staff help organizations understand how to integrate Salesforce to grow your organization's success. Since our team can't hang out with the whole Salesforce nonprofit community every day (we try!), some self-service approaches to learning Salesforce could come in handy. Here are three of our favorite Salesforce Trailhead training resources for nonprofits, along with information about our own NPSP Days. Originally published 2019. Updated February 2026. You've done the hard work: built a compelling mission, cultivated relationships with supporters, and set up your online donation forms. But if your donation asks aren't converting the way you'd like, the problem is often the words on the page, not the cause behind them. In 2026, donors are more discerning and more distracted than ever. Inboxes are crowded, attention is short, and generic appeals get ignored. The good news: small, research-backed changes to your language can meaningfully shift donor behavior. This guide covers five proven ways to strengthen your donation wording, with before-and-after examples and practical tips you can put to work today. |
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