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What Are the Different Types of Non-Profit Fundraisers?

K. K. Lowen
K. K. Lowen

There are many types of non-profit fundraisers. Some of the most popular are annual campaigns to solicit donations and special events, such as walk-a-thons or charity dinners. Collaborating with for-profit businesses to obtain donations is common as well.

Annual campaigns are popular non-profit fundraisers that involve soliciting donations. Sometimes known as a fund drive, annual campaigns occur once each year and usually utilize solicitations through direct mail, telephone, or both. Organizations commonly focus on both acquiring new donors and obtaining funds from previous donors during an annual campaign. A campaign may be most successful during the last months of the year, targeting people and businesses that may wish to reduce their taxable income by donating to charity.

A non-profit may hold a raffle in an effort to raise funds.
A non-profit may hold a raffle in an effort to raise funds.

Many non-profit fundraisers fit in the category of special events. Some common special events include award dinners, charity banquets, raffles, walk-a-thons, auctions, and other fund-raisers that occur periodically or just once. Most organizations attempt to keep the event expenses to a minimum to maximize profits. One of the benefits of special event fundraisers is community involvement, and they often are open to the public and may utilize volunteers. In addition to gathering funds, they can serve as an excellent platform for raising awareness.

Non-profit fundraisers may include food pantries.
Non-profit fundraisers may include food pantries.

Non-profit fundraisers may include encouraging client donations as well. Some people may think that clients will not donate to a program they use if they can receive the service for free, but many prefer to donate. It is very important for some demographics to feel as though they are not welfare recipients, and if clients can contribute in some small way to the program, they can maintain their sense of pride while still receiving necessary assistance. Clients often can afford only the smallest of donations, but even tiny donations can add up to a considerable amount of funding.

A non-profit may ask community members to donate spare change as part of a fundraiser.
A non-profit may ask community members to donate spare change as part of a fundraiser.

Many non-profit fundraisers involve a business donating a particular amount of money for each sale of a certain item. Sometimes the business decides for itself to donate, but the organization often contacts a business about donating. Many products have labels stating that they donate a percentage of profits to a certain cause, but some donate to a single organization. Holiday sales promotions are common as well. For example, a grocery store may give 50 cents to a local food pantry for every turkey sold during Thanksgiving week.

Food drives to collect canned goods are a common fundraiser.
Food drives to collect canned goods are a common fundraiser.

Taking part in credit card promotions and charity shopping malls can be good non-profit fundraisers as well. During a credit card promotion, a company donates a small amount of money to a charity each time consumers make a purchase with their credit cards. A charity shopping mall is similar but involves an online, for-profit store. Non-profit organizations register with the website and the store pledges to donate a certain amount of its profits to the registered charities.

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    • A non-profit may hold a raffle in an effort to raise funds.
      By: Diane Keys
      A non-profit may hold a raffle in an effort to raise funds.
    • Non-profit fundraisers may include food pantries.
      By: Monkey Business
      Non-profit fundraisers may include food pantries.
    • A non-profit may ask community members to donate spare change as part of a fundraiser.
      By: Africa Studio
      A non-profit may ask community members to donate spare change as part of a fundraiser.
    • Food drives to collect canned goods are a common fundraiser.
      By: Николай Григорьев
      Food drives to collect canned goods are a common fundraiser.
    • Fundraisers may include gathering money to buy nice school clothes for children in poverty.
      By: Alexey Belikov
      Fundraisers may include gathering money to buy nice school clothes for children in poverty.
    • Non-profits might give a presentation with local business leaders to ask for sponsors.
      By: razihusin
      Non-profits might give a presentation with local business leaders to ask for sponsors.
    • Local coffee houses often donate gift cards to area fundraisers.
      By: winston
      Local coffee houses often donate gift cards to area fundraisers.
    • Non-profit fundraisers may sell handmade clothing.
      By: adisa
      Non-profit fundraisers may sell handmade clothing.