Learn how nonprofits can diversify their revenue sources with events, sponsorships, and grants. Donorbox lists out all possible funding sources for nonprofits and charities.

1. TOP FUNDING SOURCES FOR
NONPROFITS AND CHARITIES

2. Identifying funding sources and
deciding on a funding model can
be one of the most challenging
tasks at hand

3. MAIN
NONPROFIT
FUNDING
SOURCES

4. 1
INDIVIDUAL
DONATIONS
71%
Of all donations made to nonprofits,
71 percent come from individuals

5. Gift size
1.1
MAJOR DONORS
Major donors give less frequently but their gifts
are significantly larger
REGULAR DONORS
Regular donors usually give more frequently but
their gifts are smaller in size

6. Online or
offline
1.2
While online
fundraising grows
day-by-day
Combine traditional and modern
fundraising techniques

7. Online
fundraising
1.2.1
WEBSITE
Crowdfunding (see below) works best for
specific campaigns and when you’re telling
specific stories
CROWDFUNDING
Crowdfunding is all about many individuals each
making a small donation – $10, $50, $100,
maybe more
PEER-TO-PEER FUNDRAISING
Individual fundraisers usually set up a personal
fundraising page to accept donations

8. Offline
fundraising
1.2.2
DIRECT MAIL
Generally low cost and
effective
EVENTS
Provide a space in which the nonprofit
and potential donors can interact
DOOR-TO-DOOR
Successfully by political
organizations
PHONE SOLICITATIONS
Couple of ‘thank you’ calls to large
telemarketing campaigns

9. 2
GRANTS
Nonprofits can apply for grants from the
government at local, state, and federal levels as
well as private and public foundations
Fuel large projects
Enabling large-scale societal impact
Take a significant amount of time

10. Considerations
Are we able to invest resources in writing winning
grant applications?
Can we meet the grant conditions?
Are the activities we would conduct consistent with
our mission, our aims, and our strategy?
Can the activity continue after the grant funding
ends?

11. 3
CORPORATE
SPONSORSHIPS
Valuable funding source
Demand transparency
Corporations are usually keen to partner on
projects to improve their philanthropic image

12. Corporate
support usually
comes in three
major forms
Philanthropic – no-strings-attached donation,
similar to individual giving
Event sponsorship – episodic or short-term
support, typically event-based
Cause marketing – longer-term thematic
engagement
Check DonorBox Donation Software for complete
fundraising solution

13. 4
MEMBERSHIP
FEES
Funding through past beneficiaries or alumni
Works if your organization serves a large
community
This funding source is particularly effective if
your nonprofit can offer exclusive programs and
or perks and benefits to its members

14. Considerations
Do we run programs that produce loyal supporters
and evangelists?
Can we invest in long-lasting building relationships
with our beneficiaries?
Do we have the capacity to reach out to
beneficiaries after they finish using our services?
Do we offer exclusive perks and benefits to justify a
membership fee?

15. 5
SELLING GOODS
AND SERVICES
Hospitals bill patients
Museums ask for admissions fees
Another funding source your nonprofit can
consider is selling goods and/or services

16. ‘Trading’ or
‘Earned Income’
Selling tickets to events
Creating and selling publications
Selling in-house expertise e.G. Writing, training,
consultancy

17. 6
IN-KIND
DONATIONS
Save you many dollars
Use them in auctions
Invaluable source of support for nonprofits like
animal shelters, homeless shelters, safe houses,
or humanitarian relief organizations

18. While opinion varies as to what a
nonprofit’s “ideal” funding model
is, utilizing several diverse sources
to achieve sustainability is
generally a good practice

19. MORE INFORMATION
https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-
blog/nonprofit-funding-sources/