Let’s jump right in, shall we?
1. Monthly Giving Programs
This might seem obvious, but too many nonprofits aren’t fully tapping into monthly giving programs.
Think about it: instead of asking your supporters for a one-time donation, what if they signed up to give a small, automatic donation every month? It’s predictable, steady income that allows you to plan for the future.
And - some recurring donors still make one-time gifts or major gifts, too (so it’s not always a zero sum game).
Take St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, for example. Their Partners in Hope program encourages donors to give monthly, and in return, they receive updates on the impact of their donations. Plus, they might get access to exclusive content that keeps them engaged and feeling appreciated. (study how they message it, here.)
How to Start: Set up your donation software to allow for recurring gifts (if you’re using Zeffy, they have this feature). Then, craft a compelling campaign explaining how their monthly contribution will create stability for your organization, allowing you to scale your impact.
Potential Income: With a mailing list of 1,000, if just 5-10% of your audience commits to a $25 monthly gift, that’s $1,250-$2,500 per month, or up to $30,000 annually!
2. Membership or Subscription-Based Programs
A slight variation of the monthly giving program is offering a membership or subscription service.
Subscribers could receive special benefits, such as exclusive educational content, discounts on events, or insider updates on your nonprofit’s work.
One organization doing this well is the National Audubon Society, where members receive a magazine and access to special birding resources. The key is to offer something that furthers your mission while adding value for the donor. (study it here.)
Tip: Be careful how you structure these programs to avoid unrelated business income taxes or confusion over what "membership" means legally. Depending on what perks members receive, their monthly membership might not count as a fully tax deductible donation.
Potential Income: With a mailing list of 1,000 people, a 3-7% conversion rate could bring in $300-$3,500 per month, or $3,000-$40,000 per year (for an average $10-$50 / month membership).
3. Fees for Services or Programs
If your nonprofit offers valuable services, like trainings, workshops, or educational resources, you can charge fees to help cover your operating costs. The American Red Cross, for example, charges a fee for their CPR trainings, which is aligned well with their mission and creates some steady revenue. (analyze their model here.)
How to Start: Assess your organization's strengths and consider what services or programs you offer that could be monetized. You want to ensure that those paying for services can afford them, while still benefiting those who may need financial assistance.
Tip: If you’re serving a vulnerable or financially challenged population, take care to structure any paid programming in a way that keeps it accessible or free for them, allowing those who can afford the programming to subsidize the costs with their fees.
Potential Income: If you charge $100-$500 per client and just 2-5% of your audience signs up (again, assuming a mailing list of 1,000), you could generate anywhere from $2,000-$25,000 annually.
4. Recurring, Repeatable Fundraising Events
While large, one-time events can be a heavy lift, recurring smaller events can be a sustainable revenue source. Think simple: monthly networking dinners, webinars, or virtual game nights that bring your supporters together. I know of nonprofits who hold small scale Bingo games or trivia nights every month, for example. This won’t be a strategy to exponentially scale your budget, but if you’re just starting out, easy micro-events could be possible for a small team.
How to Start: Choose a format that fits your team’s capacity and is easy to execute, and specifically, easy to repeat quickly and smoothly. Keep it small and manageable, like a networking gathering where attendees pay $10 at the door. Delegate leading them to an excited volunteer so you can focus on longer-term strategy!
Potential Income: With a 5-10% attendance rate from your mailing list (of 1,000), you could potentially bring in a few thousand dollars per event, adding up to $12,000-$25,000 annually.
Bonus Strategy: Investment Income
This is an advanced strategy, but if your nonprofit has some savings, you could invest it to generate interest or create an endowment. Over time, the returns from these investments could provide a consistent, low-effort revenue stream.
How to Start: Work with a financial advisor to create an investment policy that aligns with your nonprofit’s goals.
Potential Income: With a small endowment of $50,000-$100,000, you could earn $2,000-$7,000 in interest annually, depending on the market.
Have you tried any of these strategies? Hit reply and let me know - I’d love to hear what’s worked for you!
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