As you know, starting a nonprofit requires hard work and dedication. The whole process of starting and financing a new nonprofit might be daunting, but there are many resources available to assist in guiding and helping you through the process.
December is the month many nonprofit will strive to raise funds. A lot. To some nonprofit, we are talking about one-third (or more) of their total donations during the year.
This is really difficult. The pressure from getting every dollar in the door can be devastating. A miserable December can be a disaster for your nonprofit, no matter how impeccable it has been every other month.
December’s fundraiser is frenetic. Today we are going to be discussing exactly how you can raise significant funds for your charity in just thirty (30) days.
Before we proceed, you need to prepare to accept online donations. Ideally, you can use online donation plugins such as Donorbox, but you can also use other online gateways such as Network for Good, Fundly, or PayPal. Getting a direct donation acceptance process will make it more convenient for donors who are technologically more inclined, thus allowing them to give on the spot.
With that being said, these steps do not include bank robbery or lottery. Rather, it is actually what I have been doing personally in different non-profit organizations with tremendous success. Let’s take a look at the best ways to fund your nonprofit in 30 days:
Charitable contributions
Although the total revenue for nonprofit organizations comes from a variety of sources, and the contributions are a fraction of that, individuals are the major source of nonprofit donations.
In the United States, total charitable donations were more than $427.71 billion in 2018, according to Giving USA. Out of that figure, 68 percent was donated by individuals. The other part of the philanthropic pie included donations from government and foundations, corporate philanthropy, and bequests.
Non-profit charities (also referred to as 501c3 or public charities) are especially dependent on donations from many individuals. This is primarily because non-profit are reliant on a significant part of their funding from the public, which helps them qualify for IRS tax exemption.
Corporate Philanthropy
This has become an inherent part of the brand identity of many smaller businesses as well as most large corporations. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has risen in importance as more and more consumers are inclined to purchase from socially responsible companies.
Corporate finance can be a lifelong commitment to the particular causes and related charities and can be more market-driven and episodic, centered around particular projects, events, and campaigns. Corporate funding can be a great source of support for special programs, special events, and new initiatives.
Local, State and Federal Governments
Several not-for-profit organizations benefit from all tiers of government. Grants from local, state, and federal governments support many programs run by nonprofit organizations, most prominently for human and health services.
Federated Funds
Community efforts like the United arts, United Way, and community funds can be good sources of relatively huge sums of money. Federated funds have conventionally flourished because they supported donations from employees at corporations. Today, they are becoming unpopular as new forms of employee donation have been developed and as younger donors, like the millennia, are becoming more involved with the nonprofit organizations they donate to.
Grantmaking public charities
The public charities are a crossway between a charity and a private foundation. They generally receive funds from the private foundation, general public, private foundations, and government. They can provide public services, but mainly raise funding and award grants to other nonprofit organizations that render direct services.
You can find many of these grantmaking public charities in your community. Some are affiliated with a national organization; such as the Junior League. Grant-making public charities submit Internal Revenue Service Form 990, so you can find information about them in many databases, like the GuideStar and Foundation Center.
Foundations
Foundations are of varying types and sizes, but their grants can be significant and substantial.
- Corporate foundations are considered private foundations, but their boards of directors usually consist of corporate officers. Their endowments differ from the corporation and are professionally staffed.
- Family foundations receive donations from families or individuals. Many of the large family foundations have long existed and have become household names. For example, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Gates Foundation. Many family foundations have billions in donations, but most family foundations are far too small, often locally funded, and have no or little professional staff. Such foundations usually give money to charities in their hometown.
- Community foundations can be public foundations that bring together the assets of many donors. They are committed to improving their local communities by providing grants, scholarships, and services to donors. Community foundations have been proactive in providing donor-advised funding for those who wish to make more determined donations but do not wish to establish their own private foundations. Today, community foundations often convene donation days to assist local nonprofit organizations in raising funds.
Earned Income
Earned income from work differs from other forms of charitable financing because it stems from the sale of products and/or services. Many non-profit organizations can receive a significant income by offering classes, renting their space, or selling a product or service that is valuable to their cause. Your nonprofit organization may want to consider whether selling products or services that fit its purpose.