With the rise of digital fundraising, fundraisers are finding more and more ways to expand their reach and raise funds. Those who know what matters achieve more impact. The recipe for success is a mixture of tried-and-tested methods and new tools. Get inspired by 13 fundraising ideas.
13 brilliant fundraising ideas
With the rise of digital fundraising, fundraisers are finding more and more ways to expand their reach and raise funds. Those who know what matters achieve more impact. The recipe for success is a mixture of tried-and-tested methods and new tools. Get inspired by 13 fundraising opportunities.
1. Donation forms: donate online quickly & easily
Enable your donors to donate easily and quickly online. The most creative idea for a fundraising campaign will only yield profitable results if convinced users can make a direct and uncomplicated donation. A donation form on your website is ideal for this. In addition to efficient user navigation, it is important that you provide the means of payment that are commonly used for online payments. Do not offer too few or too many options in the donation form. The most commonly used payment methods in Switzerland are TWINT, credit card and Postfinance. When choosing an epayment tool, make sure you have easy access to donor data and can interface with popular CRMs or other relevant tools.
2. Website Design: Donation buttons show the way
It is crucial for successful fundraising to present opportunities for active participation in a concrete and conspicuous way. In the first few seconds, website visitors decide whether to click on or off. An eye-catching donation button with a short and clear call to action gives visitors orientation and leads them to the next target, e.g. to more project information or directly to the donation form.
3. Donation platforms: for new donors
Donation platforms like StiftungSchweiz have a large reach and high user numbers. Only the largest NGOs can achieve this with a lot of work and investment on their own websites. Especially for smaller organizations, donation platforms offer excellent opportunities to activate new donors. But medium and large NGOs also know: directories and platforms are a straightforward and easy-to-implement fundraising idea.
4. Appealing to emotions: Moving fundraising Ideas that tell a story.
Personal stories are remembered – especially when they stir emotions. We can often remember a good story even after several weeks. When stories touch, they more easily bridge to your projects, mission and vision. They introduce interested parties to the problem, help them understand the issue, and motivate them to take action. In short: tell your fundraising idea with an emotional story and win new supporters faster.
5. Creative fundraising ideas: for regular donations
Regular donations are the backbone of an organization and save administrative costs – especially if they are creatively “packed”. After all, fundraising ideas such as “take on a sponsorship”,“become a friend”, “be part of the friend circle” already convey part of the story and at the same time convey the idea of long-term help.
6. Fundraising opportunities on social media: Short videos for regular donations.
Your short video (30-60 seconds) describes the problem, shows the solution, explains what your organization does, and gets donors on board. Because they quickly learn what they can do concretely. This fundraising idea is especially suitable for the shorts on YouTube, Reel on Instagram or for TikTok. Low regular donations work very well, e.g. five francs a month. Include the web address and phone number and emphasize how urgently the donation is needed now. Important: your donation project must be prominently placed on your website with a donation button. If necessary, hire a telephone agency you have briefed if you cannot answer calls yourself around the clock.
7. Fundraising on TV: With luck even «pro bono»
Contact TV stations and ask if they will air your video (30 seconds or other length) in their commercial time. With a bit of luck, you will receive this slot «pro bono» or at discounted rates. Video platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo also place ads before videos and also use user-specific data. This way you communicate your ideas and goals more with the right target group for your fundraising.
8. Cultivate relationships: Fundraising ideas for e-mail marketing & newsletters
Fundraising is relationship work. In digital public fundraising, nothing else is better suited for regular, direct and cost-effective communication than e-mail. An e-mail is personal and gets across, activity is measurable, and much can be easily automated. It is important to build up a distribution list with relevant e-mail addresses so that your donation mailing or newsletter reaches the right people and is also read. You can learn how best to do this, for example, in a corresponding workshop.
9. Telephone fundraising: Exploit all possibilities
After sending a postal mailing or email, call the recipient(s) a few days later who did not donate. During the conversation, it is important not to be pushy, but to be sympathetic and understanding in describing your concerns and allaying fears and worries. If you don’t have resources internally for this fundraising idea, hire a telemarketing agency to do it. You’ll be amazed at how this phone follow-up increases your fundraising success.
10. Fundraising on the first search results: with Google Ad Grants
Not using Google Ad Grants yet? Through the program, Google provides up to CHF 10’000 per month free of charge to nonprofit organizations. Strict guidelines must be followed to benefit from this fundraising opportunity. If you want to build the expertise internally, it is recommended that you complete continuing education before applying for this program so that you can build Google Ad Grants professionally.
11. Donation letters: Fundraising ideas for an increased response rate
The donation letter is considered an important public fundraising measure with high response rates. When you start fundraising, you first write to interested and existing donors – those who already know your organization. Then expand the circle to attract new donors. Recruiting new donors takes time and is cost-intensive. Test mailings on small lists before sending letters to larger audiences.
12. Private fundraising: Donors become fundraisers
Whether online or offline: there are many occasions, such as birthdays, barbecues, baptisms, weddings, virtual concerts or virtual movie nights, where your donors can become fundraisers themselves. They call for donations that directly benefit your organization. Public fundraising events such as a marathon or charity run also offer potential – here, for example, they donate part of the entrance fees or the proceeds from food sales. The donation path with QR code directly to the donation form is particularly short. Give your fundraisers creative ideas so that there is something for everyone.
13. Fundraising projects – Planning ideas strategically
Ultimately, it is also important for your fundraising success that you do not simply implement individual measures spontaneously, but always embed them in your long-term fundraising strategy. All measures should be coordinated and target group-driven along the donor journey. Then your fundraising ideas ignite and you reach your goals.
Fundraising ideas for your project
Regardless of whether you rely on occasion donations or regular donations for your project – with a well thought-out concept as well as creative fundraising ideas, you will increase your reach and the donation potential. Personal contact through donation letters, newsletters or telephone involves donors in the project work, strengthens the relationship and also has a positive effect on the volume of donations. Take advantage of various fundraising opportunities and customize them to fit your projects. StiftungSchweiz offers you the right donation tools for your fundraising ideas. On the digital platform for nonprofit engagement, you not only create a portrait for your organization to be found by donors and grant giving organizations, but also benefit from extensive knowledge resources and effective fundraising tools.
