Effective fundraising methods for nonprofit success

And with so many fundraising methods out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Do you go with an event? Launch an online campaign? Try peer-to-peer?

The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But the good news? You don’t need one. What you do need is a strategy that fits your goals, your supporters, and your team’s capacity.

In this guide, we’re going to walk through the most effective fundraising methods used by successful nonprofit organizations. These are tried-and-true approaches that can help you build stronger relationships, raise more money, and keep your mission moving forward, whether you’re brand new or you’ve been doing this for years.

And if you’re looking for extra hands-on support? At Harness, we don’t just give you tools, we partner with you. From expert advice to easy-to-use tech, we’re here to help you grow your fundraising without the stress.

Understanding your donor base before choosing a method

Before you pick a fundraising method, you’ve got to understand who you're raising money from. Your donor base isn’t just a list of names, it’s a mix of people with different habits, interests, and giving styles. Some donors love to attend events. Others prefer giving quietly online. Some give once a year, and some give every month without skipping a beat.

The better you know your donors, the easier it is to choose a fundraising method that actually works. Look at past donation data. Who gave? How often? How much? Did they respond to emails, texts, or phone calls? These clues help you figure out what your supporters care about and how they prefer to give.

It also helps to group your donors into segments. For example, you might have a group of major donors who like one-on-one updates, while a younger group might respond better to social media campaigns. Each group may need a different type of ask.

 Set clear fundraising goals and align with your nonprofit’s mission

Before you launch a campaign or plan your next fundraiser, you need to know exactly what you're trying to accomplish. How much money do you want to raise? What’s the timeline? Where will the funds go? These aren’t just nice-to-have answers, they’re what guide your entire strategy.

Clear fundraising goals help you stay focused and make smarter decisions. Let’s say your goal is to raise $25,000 in three months to support a new youth program. That’s going to lead you toward a different plan than if your goal was to build a list of new monthly donors for long-term growth. Different goals = different methods.

Your goals should also tie directly back to your mission. Donors want to feel like their gift is making a real impact. When you say, “Your $100 helps provide five meals for local families,” that’s powerful. It’s clear, it's emotional, and it shows the difference one gift can make.

Tools make this easier by helping you track donations, set up impact-driven campaigns, and adjust along the way. You don’t have to guess, you get real-time data to help you make confident moves.

10 different fundraising methods that actually work

1. Online donation forms and digital fundraising platforms

If you want a simple, low-effort way for donors to give, online donation forms are a must. They’re fast, familiar, and available 24/7, which means donors can support your cause the moment they feel inspired. No waiting, no mailing anything in. Just a few clicks, and it’s done.

But here’s the thing, not all donation forms are built the same. A cluttered, confusing form will drive people away. A smooth, branded, mobile-friendly form will keep them engaged and more likely to give.

That’s why platforms like Harness make such a big difference. With Harness, you can create personalized forms that match your nonprofit’s look and feel. You can even set suggested donation amounts or show donors the impact of their gift in real time. These little touches can turn a one-time visitor into a recurring supporter.

So if you don’t already have a clean, easy-to-use online giving option, this is the place to start.

2. Fundraising events that engage and convert

Events are a classic for a reason. When done well, they bring your community together, raise awareness, and generate real money. Galas, fun runs, trivia nights, benefit concerts, they all give donors something to show up for and talk about.

But events take time, energy, and planning. You’ve got to think about the venue, ticketing, promotion, volunteers, and follow-up. If you’re a small team, it’s smart to start simple, maybe a virtual event or a small community gathering.

What matters most is connection. Donors want to feel part of something. They want to hear your story, meet your team, and see the impact of their support. Events give you the space to do that in a personal way.

And yes, Harness can help here too, from managing ticketing to following up with guests and tracking donations after the big day.

3. Peer-to-peer fundraising

Peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising turns your supporters into fundraisers. Instead of you doing all the asking, your donors raise money from their own friends, family, and coworkers. It’s word-of-mouth giving at scale.

The beauty of P2P is that it brings new people into your community, people you might not have reached on your own. And when someone gives because someone they trust asked them to, they’re more likely to give again.

To make it work, give your fundraisers easy tools, clear instructions, and encouragement along the way. And don’t forget to celebrate them when they hit their goals. A little recognition goes a long way.

Platforms like Harness make it simple to launch and manage peer-to-peer campaigns without a big learning curve.

4. Crowdfunding campaigns

Crowdfunding is all about raising a lot of small gifts from a lot of people, usually in a short period of time. It’s great for one-time projects, emergency needs, or anything with a clear, urgent goal.

What makes a crowdfunding campaign work? A strong message, a clear goal, a great image or video, and regular updates. People want to feel like they’re part of something moving and time-sensitive.

This is also where social media and email come into play. The more you share (and the more your supporters share), the faster momentum can build.

Just remember: when the campaign ends, your job isn’t done. Thank every donor, share your results, and keep the relationship going.

5. Text-to-give and mobile fundraising

Let’s be real, everyone’s glued to their phone. So why not make it easy for them to give that way too?

Text-to-give lets donors send a keyword to a number and donate in seconds. It’s quick, simple, and especially useful at events or during live campaigns.

The key is to keep the process short and sweet. The less friction, the more likely people are to complete their gift. And once they’ve donated, follow up with a thank-you text or message to let them know their gift mattered.

Mobile-friendly forms and donation buttons are also part of this strategy. With Harness, you can easily add mobile tools that work behind the scenes to keep the giving process seamless.

6. Social media fundraising

Social media isn’t just for updates, it’s a powerful fundraising tool when used intentionally.

Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and even TikTok can help you tell your story, connect with supporters, and invite people to give in real time. You can launch a GivingTuesday campaign, share behind-the-scenes stories, or even go live with a donor appeal.

Videos, personal stories, and clear calls to action make the biggest difference. And don’t be afraid to ask directly, just keep it human and mission-driven.

Pairing your posts with a strong online donation form or a peer-to-peer campaign can take things even further.

7. Recurring giving programs

If you're looking for steady, reliable income (and who isn't?), a recurring giving program is one of the smartest fundraising methods out there.

Monthly donors are often your most loyal supporters. They may give smaller amounts, but over time, it adds up, and it helps you plan ahead. Plus, once someone starts giving monthly, they’re less likely to stop.

The key is to make it easy to sign up, remind them of their impact, and keep them in the loop. A good program feels personal, consistent, and rewarding.

8. Major donor campaigns

Major donors often make up a large part of your funding, but they need a different kind of attention.

These are the people who give big because they believe deeply in what you’re doing. They usually want to be part of something meaningful and want to see the real-world impact of their gifts.

This kind of fundraising takes time. It’s about building relationships, listening, following up, and staying connected, even when you’re not making an ask.

Whether it’s lunch with your director or a behind-the-scenes tour, thoughtful touches make a difference. And tracking those touchpoints helps you stay on top of every connection.

9. Silent auctions and raffles

Auctions and raffles are great for engaging donors while raising money in a fun, low-pressure way. You can host them in-person, online, or as part of a larger event.

For auctions, the secret is to offer items people actually want, think experiences, gift cards, or one-of-a-kind items. For raffles, keep the barrier to entry low and the prizes exciting.

These methods also work well when paired with corporate sponsors or local businesses willing to donate prizes or services. Just make sure you're aware of local rules and regulations around gaming and raffles.

Add-ons like mobile bidding or donation prompts during your auction can boost your final numbers.

10. Grant writing and institutional giving

Grants can bring in large chunks of funding from foundations, corporations, or government programs. But they’re competitive and take time to get right.

The best approach? Be organized. Know your mission, outcomes, and budget. Tailor each proposal to the funder. And track deadlines so nothing slips through the cracks.

Grants aren’t always fast money, but they can support big, long-term goals. If you’re new to it, start small and build up from there.

Pairing grants with donor campaigns can give your nonprofit more financial flexibility and allow you to take on bigger projects.

How to choose the right fundraising method for your nonprofit

With so many ways to raise money, it’s easy to feel stuck choosing the “right” one. But here’s the truth: there’s no perfect method, only the one that fits your goals, your team, and your supporters.

Start by looking at your resources. Do you have time to plan an event? Is your team comfortable using tech? Are you working with a tight budget? Be honest about what’s realistic right now.

Next, think about your donors. What do they respond to? Have they supported peer-to-peer campaigns before? Do they prefer quiet giving or big social pushes? Looking at past behavior can point you in the right direction.

And don’t forget your goal. A quick crowdfunding push might be great for raising emergency funds. But if you're focused on long-term growth, a monthly giving program or major donor strategy might serve you better.

The point is: choose based on fit, not trend. You can always test, learn, and adjust as you go.

Fundraising methods by stage of nonprofit growth

Not every fundraising method makes sense for every nonprofit. What works for a large, established organization might overwhelm a smaller team just getting started. The good news? There’s a path forward no matter where you are in your journey.

Early-stage nonprofits

If you’re just starting out, focus on low-cost, high-impact methods. Crowdfunding, peer-to-peer fundraising, and social media campaigns are great places to begin. They help you build awareness, grow your donor base, and start forming relationships, all without needing a big budget or staff.

Don’t worry about being flashy. Keep it simple, honest, and clear about what you need and why. People give when they feel connected to your story.

Mid-size organizations

At this stage, you’re growing your reach and likely have a bit more capacity. You can begin layering in events, recurring giving programs, and email-based campaigns. This is a great time to start using fundraising platforms that streamline tasks and help you manage donors more efficiently.

Focus on keeping your momentum. Try new methods one at a time and see what works best for your community.

Established nonprofits

Larger organizations can take on more complex strategies like major donor campaigns, grant writing, silent auctions, or corporate partnerships. You probably have the tools, people, and data to manage bigger campaigns, now it’s about optimizing for impact.

This is also the stage where long-term planning becomes essential. Think about diversifying revenue, building out segmented donor journeys, and refining your tech stack to work smarter, not harder.

No matter your size, the key is to pick methods that match your team’s reality, and grow from there.

Tips for improving any fundraising strategy

No matter which fundraising methods you use, there are a few simple ways to make every campaign stronger, smarter, and more effective. These tips apply across the board, whether you’re running an online drive or planning a big event.

Test what’s working (and what’s not)

You don’t have to guess. Try small changes like testing two subject lines in an email or changing the layout of your donation form. See what gets more clicks or donations, and use that info to improve future campaigns.

Make it easy to give

If the giving process takes more than a few steps, you’re likely losing donors. Keep donation forms short. Make buttons stand out. Offer suggested donation amounts. And make sure everything works smoothly on mobile.

Tell a clear story

People give to people. Instead of just listing stats, tell a story about someone your organization helped. Keep it simple, honest, and focused on impact. That emotional connection goes a long way.

Say thank you every time

Gratitude builds loyalty. Send a thank-you email or text as soon as someone gives, and personalize it if you can. Let them know what their gift is doing. It helps donors feel seen and appreciated.

Use the right tools to save time

Don’t do it all manually. Fundraising platforms can help you track donor behavior, automate follow-ups, and stay organized without adding to your workload. When you’re not bogged down in admin, you can focus on building real relationships.

A good fundraising strategy doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep learning, keep testing, and keep putting your donors at the center of everything you do.

Fundraising that fits your mission

At the end of the day, the best fundraising methods are the ones that work for your mission, your donors, and your team. There’s no secret formula, just a thoughtful plan, a clear goal, and the willingness to learn as you go.

Whether you’re trying peer-to-peer for the first time or refining a major donor program, what matters most is staying focused on connection. People give because they care. Your job is to make it easy for them to feel that connection and see their impact.

Start where you are. Use what you have. And grow from there.

If you’re ready to take your fundraising to the next level, with expert support, smart tools, and a partner who gets what it’s like to be in your shoes, Harness is here to help.