Fundraising is rarely an exact science. While some tried-and-true methods consistently help nonprofit organizations reach their fundraising goals, thinking outside the box and finding new ways to engage with current and potential donors can have unexpected—and rewarding—results.
As longtime leaders, the members of Forbes Nonprofit Council know the benefits of experimenting with the fundraising process. Below, 13 of them discuss nontraditional fundraising strategies they’ve used that have made a lasting positive impact on organizational growth.
1. Use Peer-To-Peer Storytelling
Leveraging peer-to-peer storytelling through social media has been one of the most impactful nontraditional strategies I have observed in the nonprofit sector. When supporters share their personal reasons for giving, it builds emotional connection and trust, inspiring others to join in. This organic, heartfelt approach has fueled both donations and long-term community growth. – Yujia Zhu, FASSLING.AI
2. Leverage Beneficiaries Of Your Organization
We’ve leveraged veterans who’ve benefited from our SKY Resilience Training to champion our cause and give back. For example, U.S. Army veteran Anthony Anderson, who was featured in the documentary Almost Sunrise, donates $1 from every Lit Beard Oil sale. That move has inspired other veteran-owned businesses to match his contributions. – Leslye Moore, Project Welcome Home Troops
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3. Bring Your Campaign To Life
Well Aware’s Shower Strike campaign has been a transformative nontraditional fundraiser. Participants pledge to skip showers until they meet fundraising goals, raising awareness and funds for clean water projects in East Africa. This creative approach has raised over $2.5 million, funding more than 120 projects and impacting over 170,000 people. – Sarah Evans, Well Aware
4. Adopt The ‘Non-Ask’
Most fundraising strategies have been tried by many organizations, and some are effective. The most impactful for my organization has been the “non-ask,” which is contrary to what all fundraisers do: make the ask. The strategy behind the “non-ask” is to present a success story via a talk, video or photo. If the story is compelling, someone will ask how they can help. – Kimberly Lewis, Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Inc.
5. Help Stakeholders Feel A Sense Of Ownership
When we shifted from traditional asks to sharing the history of the organization, we created movements that stakeholders saw themselves in. We moved beyond the ask to focus on identity shaping so our donors felt a sense of co-ownership over our organization. – Erica Arias, Los Angeles Police Museum
6. Get Board Members Involved
Have board members host small salons in their homes. They can offer a limited group of people a deep dive conversation into the organization, its mission and its impact. A more intimate gathering makes it easier to connect on a human level. These events can be replicated daily on low dollars. – Patrick Riccards, Driving Force Institute
7. Launch A Values-Based Giving Campaign
A turning point was when we launched a values-based giving campaign that asked donors to pick the belief they were supporting, not just the project. Instead of funding a program, they chose to stand for equity, access or dignity. That shift from giving to alignment turned passive donors into advocates and drove our highest retention and upgrade rates to date. – Cherian Koshy, Kindsight
8. Engage Corporations Through Skills-Based Volunteer Campaigns
Our most impactful nontraditional strategy has been engaging corporate partners through skills-based volunteer campaigns. Instead of just writing checks, companies bring employees to solve real challenges with our nonprofit leaders. This deepens engagement, expands networks and often converts into sustained funding and growth. – Lauren Reilly, Gratitude Network
9. Form A Committee For Young Professionals With Reach
We recently formed a Junior Advisory Committee where young professionals from strategic geographic diaspora regions with key industry reach share their passion for our cause. These young individuals are able to leverage their social media platforms and networks to increase our fundraising reach. Unlike most of our foundation and larger-scale funding, the committee members focus on crowdfunding campaigns. – Bree Carriglio, Fund For Armenian Relief
10. Host Immersive Storytelling Events
Hosting immersive storytelling events where beneficiaries share personal journeys directly with donors has had the biggest impact on our growth. This authentic, emotional connection inspires deeper engagement, strengthens community bonds and drives sustained contributions beyond traditional campaigns, fueling long-term organizational expansion and visibility. – Nyene Baker, Visionary Philanthropy Group Inc.
11. Send Personalized Letters To Donors’ Homes
In order to close outstanding leadership-level gifts in a year-end campaign, we sent carefully crafted thank-you letters to donors via special delivery to their homes. Included in the package was a response envelope for the current giving year. It worked like a charm. – Victoria Burkhart, The More Than Giving Company
12. Perfect The Basics
Beware of bright, shiny ideas. Sometimes the traditional path is best. If you are having brain surgery, do you really want a nontraditional approach, or do you want the surgeon who has perfected the technique through repetition? Do the basics well. – Laura MacDonald, Benefactor Group
13. Focus On Being A Good Steward
Rather than a strategy, it’s a philosophical perspective that impacts our fundraising the most. We are called to be good stewards for the people we know and meet. Our role is to steward their resources for the greatest good and align with their passions to make a difference. Their passion sometimes aligns with our mission and opportunities, but other times, it may intersect with another nonprofit. – Albert L. Reyes, Buckner International