Are you looking for effective ways to raise money online for your nonprofit charity?

With more people than ever donating online, digital fundraising has become essential for nonprofits of all sizes. The good news? There are now more opportunities than ever to reach donors and make an impact.

Over the years, I’ve worked with countless nonprofit organizations and seen firsthand which online fundraising strategies actually work. Tthe fundraising landscape continues to evolve rapidly, especially with the rise of AI-powered tools that can help you personalize donor communications, automate repetitive tasks, and analyze giving patterns to improve your campaigns.

I’ve gathered 30+ proven fundraising methods you can try in 2026. Not everyone will fit perfectly, so there’s plenty to choose from.

I hope this guide helps you shine. Scroll down, pick what works for your team, and start raising money today!

Why Raising Funds Online is Essential for Nonprofits Now

Before we jump into the specific strategies, let’s talk about why online fundraising has become so critical for nonprofit success.

The statistics tell a compelling story. Online giving continues to grow year over year, and donors increasingly expect seamless digital experiences when supporting causes they care about.

Here are some key reasons why your nonprofit needs a strong online fundraising strategy:

1. That’s Where Your Donors Are

More people are spending time online than ever before. Whether they’re scrolling social media, checking email, or researching causes on their smartphones, your supporters are already digital-first. Meeting them where they are just makes sense.

2. Lower Overhead Costs

Traditional fundraising methods like direct mail campaigns and in-person events can be expensive. Online fundraising significantly reduces costs associated with printing, postage, venue rentals, and staffing. This means more of your budget goes directly to your mission.

3. Reach a Global Audience

Physical location no longer limits your fundraising potential. With online campaigns, you can reach donors across the country or around the world. A compelling story and the right digital tools can help you connect with supporters you’d never reach through traditional methods.

4. Real-Time Results and Data

Online fundraising gives you instant access to important metrics. You can see which campaigns are working, which messages resonate, and where donors are dropping off. This data helps you make smarter decisions and improve your results continuously.

5. Convenience for Donors

Today’s donors want to give quickly and easily, often in the moment when they feel inspired. Online donation forms allow supporters to contribute instantly from any device, increasing the likelihood they’ll complete their gift.

6. Recurring Giving Made Easy

Monthly recurring donations provide predictable revenue that helps nonprofits plan and budget effectively. Online platforms make it simple for donors to set up automatic contributions, creating sustainable funding streams for your organization.

7. AI-Powered Personalization

Artificial intelligence tools allow even small nonprofits to deliver personalized donor experiences at scale. AI can help you send the right message to the right person at the right time, dramatically improving engagement and conversion rates.

Not sure about using AI? See the Guide to AI for Non Profits »

The bottom line? If your nonprofit isn’t prioritizing online fundraising, you’re leaving money on the table and missing opportunities to connect with supporters who want to help.

If you haven’t yet set up a website for your non-profit, follow our easy video tutorial here:

Here are over 30 ideas you can use to raise funds online for your cause.

Best Ideas for Non-Profits to Raise Funds Online

1. Individual Fundraiser Campaigns with Specific Purposes

Donors tend to respond better to individual campaigns. So for instance, if you’re mission is ocean cleanup, you can run campaigns to raise funds for specific mission, research project, or tools you may need. Donors like to know where their money is going and how they made a difference.

So rather than fundraisers for your non-profit organization on the whole, try more precise, heartfelt purposes like “Fund Surgery for Child X” or “Build a Classroom in Village Y.”

These connect deeply online because specific stories humanize your mission, motivating networks to rally around tangible goals over general asks.

Use Charitable’s readymade templates to launch individual campaigns for your cause. There’s a visual drag and drop builder that lets you customize it without any coding. Launch in minutes, not days.

2. Launch a Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Campaign

Turn your supporters into your best fundraisers with a peer-to-peer (P2P) campaign. They create personal pages to share your mission with friends and family, collecting donations on your behalf.

This works because people trust recommendations from those they know. One donor’s network can spark a chain reaction, reaching far beyond your usual list, especially online where shares spread fast.

Set up easily on WordPress with the Charitable’ Campaigns Peer to Peer Fundraising feature. Let participants customize pages for events like birthdays or runs, integrate Razorpay or Stripe for payments, and promote via email blasts with ready share buttons. Track progress in real-time to cheer them on.

3. Run a Live Stream Auction

Host an exciting live auction on platforms like Instagram Live or YouTube, where donors bid on donated items in real-time.

It thrives online because the urgency of live bidding creates FOMO, pulling in impulse gifts from viewers worldwide. The best part is you don’t need a venue.

Collect items like gift cards or experiences from local businesses. Use free tools like StreamYard for pro streams, embed a Charitable donation form on your site for bids, and hype it with countdown posts. Follow up with thank-yous to build repeat donors.

You can use a tool like Smash Balloon to display livestreams on your wesbite. No coding, just point and click to connect your livestream.

4. Create a Crowdfunding Challenge

Spark a viral crowdfunding challenge where supporters pledge small amounts and challenge their friends to match or beat it on your campaign page.

This idea shines online as challenges tap into social proof – think ice bucket style, but customized to your cause, encouraging quick shares and chain donations.

Build a central page with Charitable’s crowdfunding tools on WordPress, set tiers like “Pledge ₹100 and nominate 3 friends.” Launch with a fun video on Instagram Reels, and use leaderboards to keep momentum going. Check out how to set up a donor leaderboard »

5. Set Up an Email Donation Matcher

Send a special email campaign where you match every donation received within 24-48 hours, doubling gifts and creating buzz.

It excels online because emails have high open rates for trusted nonprofits, and the limited-time match triggers urgency, boosting clicks and conversions.

Use your email tool (like Mailchimp) integrated with Charitable on WordPress. Announce the match clearly, link directly to a one-click donation form, and send a reminder midway. Share results post-campaign to thank donors and build loyalty.

Learn how quick and easy it is to launch a donation form on your website.

6. Host a Social Media Giveaway

Run a giveaway on Instagram or Facebook where entrants like, share, and tag friends for a chance to win prizes, all tied to donations.

This drives online success by leveraging algorithms that reward engagement, turning casual scrolls into donor leads through viral shares.

Partner with donors for prizes like gadgets or vouchers. Post eye-catching graphics linking to your Charitable donation page on WordPress. Set rules like “Donate ₹50+ to enter,” run for a limited period of time like 7 days, and announce winners live to keep excitement high.

7. Use AI-Powered Donation Recommendations

Use AI tools to analyze donor behavior and suggest optimal donation amounts. These smart systems can look at factors like previous giving history, browsing patterns, and demographic data to recommend amounts that feel right for each individual supporter.

This personalization can significantly increase average gift sizes.

Check out AI tools that are available for free. Start small, learn and experiment with tools to find the one that’s right for you.

8. Sell Digital Downloads for Your Cause

Create and sell affordable digital products like printable calendars, ebooks, templates, or planners themed around your mission.

This thrives digitally because once made, they sell endlessly with zero shipping, appealing to supporters who want to help while getting value.

Design with Canva, it’s so easy. You can use Easy Digital Downloads to sell digital products through your website. It’s straightforward, affordable, and easy to use.

9. Launch a Campaign To Gain Recurring Donors

Recurring donors are the backbone of sustainable nonprofit funding. They provide predictable revenue, have higher lifetime values, and require less effort to retain than constantly acquiring new one-time donors.

Give your recurring donor program an inspiring name that resonates with your mission. Instead of just “Monthly Donors,” try something like: “Circle of Hope” for a homeless shelter. Help donors see themselves as ongoing partners in your mission, not just transaction makers. Make the process incredibly simple.

See how to set up recurring donations with ease »

10. Launch a TikTok or Instagram Reels Challenge

Create a short, fun challenge video tied to your cause. So for instance, “Dance for Donations” where you ask users to duet while donating.

This explodes online via short-form video algorithms, reaching younger donors through trends and shares without big ad spends.

Film a 15-second hook on your phone, link a Charitable donation form in bio. Use trending sounds/hashtags, seed with influencers, and repost user entries. Make sure to track with a unique campaign code for easy reporting.

11. Run Google or Meta Ads for One-Time Appeals

Set up targeted ads driving traffic straight to a high-converting donation page for urgent campaigns.

These work online by reaching searchers actively looking to give, with precise targeting (e.g., “charity donations India”) for strong ROI.

Start with ₹5,000 budget on Google Ads or Facebook, link to Charitable form on WordPress (Razorpay/Stripe). A/B test headlines like “Double Your Impact Today,” track conversions, and scale winners.

12. Build a Donor Referral Program

One of the most powerful fundraising strategies is also one of the most overlooked: getting your current donors to refer their friends, family, and colleagues to support your cause.

Think about it – people trust recommendations from friends far more than they trust marketing messages from organizations. When someone they know and respect says “I support this nonprofit and you should too,” that carries tremendous weight.

Before launching, decide what success looks like:

• How many new donors do you want to acquire through referrals?
• What’s your target for total referrals (knowing not all will convert)?
• How will you track referrals and attribute them correctly?

Having specific goals helps you design the right program and measure results.

Referrals from trusted sources convert 3-5x better than cold outreach. That means for every 100 people who hear about your nonprofit through a donor referral, you might gain 15-25 new supporters compared to just 3-5 from traditional marketing.

Provide incentives and an easy sign up and share process. The easier you make it to refer others, the more referrals you’ll get.

If you’re already using Charitable, you can add a referral program with just a few clicks.

See how easy it is to set up a donor referral program »

13. Host Virtual Fitness & Self Defense Classes 💪🏃‍♀️

Virtual fitness classes combine health, community, and fundraising in one engaging package. Participants pay a registration fee to join live-streamed or pre-recorded workout sessions – yoga, Zumba, HIIT, cycling, or any fitness activity that translates well to video.

The beauty of virtual fitness fundraisers is their accessibility. People can participate from home, eliminating geographic barriers and making it easy for supporters anywhere to join. You can host single classes or create a series over several weeks. Partner with local fitness instructors who donate their time, or recruit volunteers from your community who are certified trainers. Promote classes through social media, email, and local community groups.

Make it interactive by encouraging participants to share workout selfies with a campaign hashtag, creating friendly competition with fitness challenges, or offering prizes for participation milestones.

You can also add a peer-to-peer fundraising element where participants create personal fundraising pages and ask friends to sponsor their participation. Virtual fitness classes work especially well for health-related nonprofits, but any organization can use them to build community while raising funds.

14. Create Themed Emoji or Sticker Packs

Design custom emoji or sticker packs related to your cause and sell them as digital downloads or through messaging app stores. These fun, shareable graphics let supporters express themselves while promoting your mission in every conversation.

For example, an animal rescue could create adorable pet stickers, an environmental nonprofit might design nature-themed emojis 🌳🐝, or a mental health organization could offer supportive message stickers with encouraging phrases.

The beauty of digital sticker packs is that they’re created once and sold infinitely with zero production or shipping costs.

They’re also incredibly affordable for supporters – typically $0.99 to $2.99 – making them an easy impulse purchase. Plus, every time someone uses your stickers in their texts or social media stories, they’re spreading awareness about your cause to their entire network! It’s fundraising that doubles as marketing.

You can sell sticker packs through platforms like the Apple App Store, Google Play, Gumroad, or directly on your website as downloadable files.

You can also add them as an upsell during checkout to boost the total donation amount.

Promote them on social media by showing fun examples of the stickers in use, create limited edition seasonal packs to keep supporters coming back, and consider offering them as thank-you gifts for donors at certain levels.

15. Partner with Online Marketplaces for Round-Ups

Integrate “round up your cart” donations at checkout on partner eCommerce sites or your own store. Sometimes they also add a set amount to the total.

It captures micro-donations effortlessly online, adding up to big sums from everyday shoppers. It’s such a small amount that most people don’t think twice about clicking “yes.” But it makes a big difference when you collect $0.50 from 3000 customers.

Approach businesses whose values align with your mission and show them how offering round-ups can boost their brand reputation while making a real difference. Some companies even promote their nonprofit partnerships in marketing materials, giving your organization additional visibility.

Many platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and specialized apps make implementation easy with plugins designed specifically for this purpose.

16. Develop a Cause-Based Mobile App Pledge

Create a dedicated mobile app that makes donating, volunteering, and engaging with your cause easier than ever. Your app can include features like one-tap donations, push notifications for urgent appeals, progress trackers showing real-time impact, volunteer opportunity sign-ups, and exclusive content for supporters. Apps keep your nonprofit literally in donors’ pockets, making engagement frictionless and habitual.

While custom app development used to be expensive, there are now affordable platforms specifically designed for nonprofits that provide templates and easy customization. 

Once downloaded, apps have much higher engagement rates than websites – users who install your app are demonstrating serious commitment to your cause. 

17. Curate a Virtual Silent Auction

Host an online silent auction where supporters can bid on donated items, experiences, and services from anywhere, at any time. Virtual auctions eliminate geographic limitations and can run for days or even weeks, giving more people the opportunity to participate and driving up bid amounts through extended competition.

Source compelling auction items by reaching out to local businesses for donated products, recruiting supporters to offer unique experiences (like a private cooking class or golf lesson, and thinking creatively about what your audience values.

VIP experiences, artwork, vacation packages, sports memorabilia, gift baskets, and exclusive access opportunities typically perform well.

Create appealing item descriptions with high-quality photos and set reasonable starting bids that encourage early participation while leaving room for competitive bidding.

18. Send Personalized Video Thank-Yous with Asks

Record short, personalized video messages thanking donors by name and showing the direct impact of their specific contribution.

A 30-60 second video from your executive director, program staff, or even a beneficiary feels incredibly personal and builds deeper emotional connections than a standard email. 📹✨

For example: “Your $100 gift provided meals for 20 children this month – thank you so much! We’re hoping to reach 50 more children next month, and supporters like you make that possible.” It’s not a hard ask, but it plants seeds for future giving while the donor is feeling good about their impact. 

Tools like Loom, or even simple smartphone videos make this easy – and donors will remember the effort you made long after they’ve forgotten a templated thank-you letter.

19. Launch a Flash Sale for Impact Kits

Offer limited-time digital kits (e.g., fundraising templates) at discount, with all proceeds to your cause.

Urgency drives online impulse buys, while value-packed kits position you as a helpful resource.

Flash sales tap into FOMO (fear of missing out) psychology and are perfect for social media promotion. Post countdown updates, share real-time stats showing how many kits have been “sold,” and celebrate milestones as you reach them.

I would recommend using eye-catching graphics showing exactly what each kit provides, include testimonials or photos from beneficiaries, and make the checkout process lightning-fast with mobile-optimized donation pages. The time pressure combined with tangible impact makes people act NOW rather than putting it off.

20. Integrate Chatbot Donations on Your Site

Add an AI-powered chatbot to your website that engages visitors in real-time conversations, answers questions about your mission, and guides them seamlessly toward making a donation.

Modern chatbots can greet visitors with friendly messages like “Hi! I’m here to help you learn about our work. What brings you here today?” and then respond intelligently to questions about programs, impact, donation options, and volunteering opportunities.

Chatbots are particularly effective at reducing friction in the donation process. If someone seems interested but hasn’t donated yet, the bot can proactively ask “Would you like to make a difference today? I can help you donate in just 60 seconds!”

They can suggest donation amounts based on what the visitor has been reading about, offer multiple payment options , and even process recurring gift setups – all within the chat interface. For visitors with questions or concerns, the bot provides instant answers that might otherwise require waiting for email responses, preventing potential donors from leaving your site.

Platforms like LiveChat, ManyChat, Drift, or specialized nonprofit chatbot tools make implementation straightforward without requiring coding skills.

21. Create a Virtual Wishlist for Donors

Share an Amazon-style wishlist of mission-critical items, letting donors “buy” them directly with tax receipts.

This simplifies giving online by visualizing impact, appealing to shoppers who prefer tangible results.

Virtual wishlists work beautifully because they appeal to different donor preferences and budgets. Someone might sponsor 25 hygiene kits while another funds 2,000 training workshops – everyone finds their perfect giving level. 

This tangible approach helps donors see exactly what their money buys and removes the ambiguity around “general donations.” They can browse your needs, select what resonates with them, and feel the satisfaction of checking something off your list when they give.

22. Host AMA Sessions with Beneficiaries

Organize live “Ask Me Anything” sessions on social media, Zoom, or your website where donors can directly interact with the people your nonprofit serves – program participants, scholarship recipients, community members, or families you’ve helped.

These authentic conversations humanize your cause in ways that statistics and fundraising appeals never can. When donors hear firsthand stories, ask questions, and see real faces behind your mission, emotional connections deepen dramatically.

Schedule AMAs strategically around fundraising campaigns to maximize impact. For example, host a session with a scholarship student during your education fund drive, or feature a family discussing their journey during a housing campaign appeal.

Promote the event heavily through email and social media, create a compelling graphic with the beneficiary’s photo and teaser about their story, and make participation easy across multiple platforms (Facebook Live, Instagram Live, YouTube, etc.).

During the session, have a moderator help facilitate questions, keep things positive and focused, and naturally weave in donation calls-to-action: “Moved by Sarah’s story? You can help another student just like her with a gift today.”

23. Offer Virtual Coffee Chats with Leaders

Charge for 15-minute Zoom chats with your executive director, program staff, or beneficiaries where supporters get exclusive insider updates about your mission and can ask questions directly.

These intimate conversations create a VIP experience that builds deeper relationships with your most engaged supporters. Donors who feel personally connected to leadership are more likely to increase their giving and become long-term advocates.

Exclusivity online builds community and loyalty, turning chats into high-value personal donations.

Set up a booking system using scheduling tools like Calendly that integrates with your payment processor. Limit availability to maintain exclusivity – perhaps 10 slots per week – and price appropriately based on your audience (anywhere from 25 to 500 depending on donor capacity).

Promote these “Coffee with Impact” sessions through targeted emails to your most engaged supporters, major donors, or monthly giving prospects. Market them as opportunities to go behind the scenes, influence strategy, or hear stories that don’t make it into newsletters.

During the chats, be authentic and conversational. Share upcoming initiatives, challenges you’re facing, and wins you’re celebrating. Answer questions honestly and make supporters feel like insiders.

Follow up each session with a personalized thank-you email and a brief impact report showing how funds from these chats are being used. This encourages repeat bookings and referrals to friends who might also value the experience.

24. Run a Social Media Matching Gift Drive

Announce that you’ll match social shares, comments, or other engagement actions with small donations from a matching fund, up to a predetermined total amount.

You can also bring on big brands and influencers to match certain donations.

This clever approach turns free social actions into fundraising momentum. Every share, comment, or tag counts as an “entry” that triggers a matched donation from your fund (secured from a sponsor or board member beforehand).

Virality kicks in online as free actions multiply visibility, drawing new donors via organic reach.

Post clear rules on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms: “Every share of this post = $5 added to our fund!” or “Comment with a heart emoji and we’ll donate $2 to provide a meal!”

Track engagement manually for smaller campaigns or use social media management tools to monitor metrics. As actions come in, provide regular updates: “We’re at $3,000! Keep sharing!” This creates momentum and urgency.

Set a reasonable cap (like $5,000−10,000) to control costs while still creating excitement. Once you hit the cap, celebrate publicly and thank participants. Many will be inspired to make their own direct donations after participating in the free engagement.

Partner your matching fund with a sponsor who gets recognition, making the campaign cost-neutral for your organization while maximizing reach and new donor acquisition.

25. Build an Impact Thermometer Widget

Display a real-time donation progress bar on your website, emails, and social media showing exactly how close you are to reaching specific fundraising goals.

Visual progress creates psychological momentum. When people see you’re 80% of the way to a goal, they want to help push you over the finish line. The thermometer taps into competitive spirit and fear of missing out.

Visual momentum online inspires competition and FOMO, spiking donations as the thermometer fills.

Use donation platform widgets that automatically update as gifts come in. Place the thermometer prominently on your homepage, donation page, and embed it in every campaign email.

• Set specific, tangible goals tied to impact: “100,000 to Build a New Community Center” “25,000 to Provide 5,000 Meals.”
• Break larger goals into milestones and celebrate each one publicly.
• Update supporters frequently: “We’re 67% there!”
• Share screenshots on social media showing the rising thermometer.
• Create urgency as you approach the goal: “Just $3,000 to go – can we reach it by Friday?”

When you hit 100%, celebrate loudly with all your supporters, give credit to everyone who contributed, and quickly set a stretch goal to maintain momentum:

“Goal reached! New stretch goal: $120,000 to serve an additional neighborhood.”

The visibility of collective progress motivates individual action in powerful ways.

26. Launch a Newsletter Sponsorship Auction

Auction advertising spots in your email newsletter to mission-aligned businesses through online bidding.

If you have a sizable, engaged email list, those subscriber eyeballs have value to businesses that share your values. Rather than charging flat sponsorship rates, create competition through auction-style bidding.

Targeted exposure online attracts brands seeking engaged audiences, funding your communications effortlessly.

Create 5-10 sponsorship slots for upcoming newsletters – perhaps offering different positions (header banner, mid-newsletter feature, footer spot) at different starting bid levels.

Use online auction software to run a 48-72 hour bidding period. Promote the opportunity to your network of mission-aligned businesses, local companies, and current corporate partners.

Provide clear metrics about your newsletter: open rates, subscriber count, demographic information, and engagement statistics. Businesses want to know their investment will reach the right people.

Winning sponsors receive professionally designed digital banners in your newsletter with trackable links so they can measure ROI. This data helps them decide whether to sponsor again.

This approach generates revenue while maintaining editorial control – you’re selling advertising space, not influence over content. Choose sponsors whose products or services genuinely benefit your audience.

27. Create User-Generated Content Contests

Run contests inviting supporters to submit photos, videos, or stories showing their connection to your cause, with prizes awarded and potentially donation-based voting.

User-generated content serves double duty: it engages your community while creating authentic marketing material you can repurpose across channels.

Community creativity online generates free content while funneling contest donations your way.

Launch a campaign with a compelling theme: “My Impact Story,” “Why I Give,” or “How This Cause Changed My Life.” Provide clear submission guidelines and deadlines.

Collect entries through online forms and create a gallery showcasing all submissions (with permission). Consider allowing public voting where each vote requires a small donation, or simply have your team select winners.

Offer meaningful prizes – they don’t need to be expensive, but should align with your mission. Recognition itself (being featured in your newsletter, on social media, or at an event) is often reward enough for passionate supporters.

Promote winners extensively and ask permission to use their content in future marketing materials. A powerful supporter testimonial video from your contest might drive donations for years to come.

These contests strengthen community bonds, give supporters ways to engage beyond financial giving, and provide you with authentic stories that resonate far more than professionally produced marketing content.

28. Offer On-Demand Virtual Workshops

Record evergreen educational workshops related to your cause or nonprofit management topics, then sell access at tiered price points.

Once created, digital workshops generate passive income indefinitely with zero marginal cost per new participant. They also position your organization as a thought leader and resource in your field.

Scalable learning online generates passive income, positioning you as a go-to resource.

Host your first workshop live via Zoom to test content and get real-time feedback. Record the session in high quality, then edit it into a polished on-demand course.

You can offer courses on your site using plugins like MemberPress, WishList Member, or Courses for MemberMouse. These plugins are known as learning management systems (LMS). Offer individual workshops or bundled packages at different price points.

Create tiered pricing: a basic tier with just video access, a mid-tier including downloadable templates or resources, and a premium tier with a live Q&A session or one-on-one consultation.

Market workshops to your email list, relevant professional groups, and through social media. Consider offering scholarships or discounted rates for nonprofits with limited budgets while charging full price to corporate attendees or consultants.

Topics might include fundraising strategies, volunteer management, storytelling techniques, grant writing, or subject matter expertise related to your specific cause. Issue certificates of completion to add value and encourage participation.

29. Integrate SMS Donation Campaigns

Send targeted text messages to opted-in supporters prompting quick donations for time-sensitive needs or urgent appeals.

SMS boasts a high open rate – dramatically higher than email. Text messages feel personal and immediate, making them perfect for urgent fundraising needs or time-sensitive matching opportunities.

High open rates online make SMS a direct path to mobile wallets and instant gifts.

Build your text message list ethically by asking supporters to opt in through your website, at events, or via email campaigns. Never purchase lists or add people without explicit consent.

Use SMS platforms that integrate with your donation system to enable seamless giving. Supporters should be able to click a link in your text and complete their donation in seconds on a mobile-optimized page.

SMS works particularly well for existing donors, event attendees, or highly engaged supporters who want immediate updates on urgent situations.

30. Gamify Your Donation Requests

Turn donation asks into interactive games using tools like OptinMonster’s gamified spin-to-win wheel that appears as a pop-up on your website.

Visitors spin a digital wheel for a chance to win discounts on merchandise, exclusive content, VIP event access, or even matched donation amounts. The playful interaction reduces donation fatigue and makes giving feel fun rather than obligatory.

Gamification online transforms passive visitors into active participants, boosting engagement and conversion rates.

Set up OptinMonster’s spin-to-win feature with various “prizes” on the wheel – perhaps segments offering 20% off your online store, a free downloadable resource, a personalized thank-you video, or a 2x matching bonus on their donation. Every segment should lead to a donation page, just with different incentives.

Configure the wheel to appear at strategic moments: after someone has been on your site for 30 seconds, when they’re about to exit, or when they scroll to a certain point on your donation page. Time it to capture attention without being intrusive.

Customize the wheel’s design to match your brand colors and add compelling copy like “Spin to Amplify Your Impact!” or “Take a Chance on Changing Lives!” Make it visually appealing and clearly connected to your mission.

31. Bonus: AI-Powered Personalized Appeals

Use artificial intelligence tools to analyze donor data and automatically generate personalized fundraising appeals tailored to each supporter’s giving history, interests, and engagement patterns.

AI can process thousands of data points – past donation amounts, causes they’ve supported, email open rates, website pages visited, event attendance, and demographic information – to craft messages that resonate with individual donors at scale.

AI can then generate customized email subject lines, personalized donation amounts, tailored impact stories, and optimal send times for each donor. For example, a donor who previously gave to your education program receives stories about students, while an environmental program supporter gets conservation updates.

Hyper-personalization online lifts response rates 2-3x by feeling tailor-made.

Remember to be careful what information you share with AI to ensure donor data privacy and compliance.

Check out how non-profits can effectively use AI.

How to Run Online Fundraising Campaigns: Pick the Right Tool

Running online campaigns starts with the right WordPress plugin to handle forms, payments, and tracking seamlessly.

Charitable stands out as the top choice for nonprofits, powering 10,000+ organizations with no transaction fees on donations.

Charitable lets you create unlimited campaigns, including peer-to-peer fundraisers where supporters build their own pages and teams – perfect for individual drives like birthdays or memorials. \

You’ll get everything you need to run successful online fundraisers and create a steady source of revenue.

It’s packed with features like recurring donations, donor management, donor portal, leaderboards, comments, customizable forms, crowdfunding goals, and ambassador tools to leverage community networks.

Charitable is the top-rated WordPress donation plugin with 1+ million downloads. You get everything needed to launch campaigns without coding or high fees.

With Charitable, you can quickly create appealing, fully customizable fundraising campaigns directly on their WordPress sites.

It transforms your WordPress site into a full fundraising machine, without code, without hassle, without limits.

You can launch campaigns, donation forms, and donate buttons. You get readymade templates + a visual drag and drop builder.

Settings can be configured in a dedicated page. All with just a few clicks. There’s no coding needed.

Here’s a sneak peek at one of the fundraiser templates you can use:

Charitable supports seamless integration with major payment gateways, allowing you to accept donations via credit cards, PayPal, and other popular methods effortlessly.

Now here’s the best part. You can include specific payment options and tailor the donor experience for every campaign you create. So if you’re targeting an African market, you can enable Payrexx or Paystack for that campaign only.

Once you campaigns are live, the metrics are automatically tracked. You can access readymade reports on your top campaigns, top donors, revenue, and more.

Key Fundraising Features

• Create unlimited customizable campaigns with a visual drag and drop builder
• Customizable donation forms
• Conversion optimization fields like deadlines, goals, and progress bars
• Readymade auto-generated PDF receipts
• Automated emails for receipts, confirmations, renewal reminders, and more
• Peer-to-peer tools for supporter-led fundraisers​
• Supports one-time and recurring donations to build steady revenue streams​
• Embed forms anywhere: popups, widgets, pages, or shortcodes, with suggested/custom amounts and donor profiles​
• No transaction fees on donations on Charitable Pro
• Connects seamlessly to Stripe, PayPal, Square, Razorpay (via extensions), offline options, and more
• Donor fee coverage option, anonymous giving, Gift Aid
• Spam protection with reCAPTCHA/hCaptcha.​
• Automate with Zapier, webhooks, Zoho Flow for emails, receipts, and workflows​
• Centralized dashboard for donor history, CSV exports, annual tax receipts, and personalized updates
• Teams/ambassadors extension for group efforts, and recent updates like Elementor widgets and donation buttons
• Self service donor portal so donors can manage their contributions, recurring subscriptions, and receipts on their own

Using another fundraising software and want to make the switch? It’s easy. See our guide on migrating to Charitable »

Need help with launching your first campaign? We’ve created a detailed guide on setting up your first campaign »

FAQs on Raising Funds Online

How do I pick the best idea for my nonprofit?

Start with your audience, younger donors love TikTok challenges or Reels, while steady groups suit recurring memberships. Test 2-3 via Charitable forms to see what converts.

Can small teams run peer-to-peer campaigns?

Yes; one person sets up customizable pages in Charitable’s Ambassadors tool.

I’m completely new to Charitable. Where should I start? 

Start with the Setup Wizard that appears when you first install Charitable. It takes about 5 minutes and will guide you through the essential configuration steps including payment setup and creating your first campaign. If you missed the wizard, you can access all these settings manually through Charitable » Settings.

Can I combine ideas, like challenges + giveaways?

Absolutely; pair a reels challenge with a giveaway for viral boost. Charitable handles multiple campaigns from one site seamlessly.

How do I track success across ideas?

Use Charitable’s dashboard for real-time goals, donor reports, and exports. Add UTM tags to links for Google Analytics on traffic from social auctions or webinars.

Where can I get Charitable support if I have issues?

• Free users: Use the WordPress.org support forums
• Pro users: Contact support directly for priority assistance
• Documentation: Check the comprehensive documentation library
• Community: Join the newsletter and follow social channels for tips and updates

Are there video tutorials available? 

Yes! Subscribe to the Charitable YouTube channel for step-by-step tutorials and success stories.

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Melinda Bartley

I’m the senior writer at Charitable, with over 15 years of experience in content creation, digital marketing, and SEO. Beyond my professional role, I’m the co-founder and trustee of a non-profit organization committed to animal rescue and welfare. Throughout my career, I’ve helped build 17+ blogs – many from the ground up, transforming them into successful marketing platforms that drive traffic, boost brand visibility, and generate revenue.

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