5 Inventive Ideas for Online Fundraising

Creative online fundraising ideas for growth.

After a full year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s no denying that life and how we live it has changed. Whether it’s socializing, school, or work, we have had to use technology to connect. So, it’s only natural that online school fundraising has grown, and innovative ways have emerged.

Let’s look at a few ideas for online fundraising.

Best practices give you a foundation for innovation

New technologies are fun. But before we discuss what’s trendy in online fundraising, it’s a good idea to look at the best practices from Non-profit Tech for Good. They wrote a great article series about digital marketing for not-for-profit groups. Check it out. It may not seem inventive, but the most creative plans are built with a good foundation.

Passive funding sources

Programs offering passive donations are a great way to keep funds coming in all year. Sites like AmazonSmile, which has been around since 2013, may not offer a vast draw initially, but the donations can add up over time.

Another donation platform to consider is RoundUp App. It’s free to join and lets donors round up their purchases to the nearest dollar. The change is then donated to your group or school. A few cents here and there can make a difference.

Peer-to-peer fundraising

Peer-to-peer fundraising lets your group members raise funds on your behalf. For the older kids or parents of the littles, peer-to-peer fundraising can be effective—especially for those with a solid social media presence.

But, if social media sites aren’t an option for your group, consider checking out peer-to-peer fundraising software. There are plenty of options at all price points for your group.

Recycle your way into fundraising profits online

Why not let your donors donate gold, silver, and platinum at full value for a tax deduction? It’s as simple as collecting and shipping broken or unwanted jewelry or household items to Jewelry for Good. Check out the non-profit’s website and see if their program works for your group.

Big Fundraising Ideas and our online programs

There are a lot of online fundraising ideas to consider, with new ones popping up overnight. If that makes you feel overwhelmed and need some help, check back next week. We’ll be taking a closer look at some of our online fundraisers. Each is an easy, fun, and inventive way to raise funds online.

It’s important to note: Your group or school may need to be a registered 501c3 to take advantage of some of these programs.

Author Bio

Clay Boggess has been designing fundraising programs for schools and various nonprofit organizations throughout the US since 1999. He’s helped administrators, teachers, and outside support entities such as PTAs and PTOs raise millions of dollars. Clay is an owner and partner at Big Fundraising Ideas.