Running a nonprofit means wearing a lot of hats and fundraising is one of the heaviest. Whether you're a one-person shop or part of a larger team, raising money to fuel your mission never feels like a “set-it-and-forget-it” task. Sometimes you need fresh ideas to get people engaged and excited to give, especially when it feels like you’ve already asked the same supporters ten times this year.
The best fundraising ideas do more than raise dollars. They strengthen your connection with the people who care about your mission, creating a loop of support that lasts longer than any one campaign.
You don’t need to rent out a ballroom to make a big impact. Events that feel more like real conversations and less like productions can still bring in strong donations, and often build even deeper loyalty.
Try a “wine and walk” through a local art district, a rooftop storytelling night, or a “mission picnic” in a local park. The key is creating space for connection. These aren’t just social events; they’re invitations to feel part of something real. When donors hear directly from the people their support helps, or from staff sharing what drives the mission, it shifts the entire tone. It stops being about money and starts being about meaning.
These smaller, more personal gatherings often lead to larger gifts over time because they foster trust and transparency. And they give your team a chance to listen just as much as talk.
People don’t give to organizations. They give to people. Create a short email series where you highlight real stories like a local student who got their first laptop thanks to your program, or a volunteer who’s been with you for 10 years. Keep it simple, just three emails over two weeks. Each one should include:
Here’s an example of what one email might say:
“When Andrea came to us, she didn’t have a safe place to study after school. Now, she’s headed to college with a full scholarship and she still stops by our center every week. Help us be there for the next Andrea.”
Instead of asking people to fundraise, invite them to share. Most of your supporters won’t create a fundraising page from scratch. But if you hand them the words and visuals, they’re much more likely to get involved. Make it easy for your supporters by creating a mini toolkit: a short story, a couple of images, and one or two social posts they can copy-paste. Here’s an example:
“This org changed my life when I was struggling. I’m helping them raise $1,000 this month. Would love for you to be part of it. Here’s the link if you want to chip in. 💛”
The more personal it feels, the better it works. And when people share from the heart, it shows.
The best fundraising doesn’t feel like fundraising. It feels like community. Whether you’re planning a casual gathering or sending an email with one powerful story, the goal is the same: show your supporters they’re part of something meaningful.
And when people feel included, not just asked, they give more, and more often.
If you want help staying personal at scale, we’d love to show you how. Levitate helps nonprofits create warm, authentic, and consistent outreach that keeps relationships strong and giving steady. Book a demo and see how we help nonprofits like yours build authentic relationships that last.
We’ll give you a call to set up time for your team and ours to meet virtually for a personalized demo.
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