7 Important Steps to Master Crowdfunding for Nonprofits

Nonprofit crowdfunding has become the go-to option for organizations to meet their financial needs and keep operations running. But did you know that the average success rate of crowdfunding campaigns is just 22.4%?

That’s not because the causes aren’t worthy, but because the right strategies aren’t in place. The good news? You can flip the script. By nailing down a clear plan, telling a story that tugs at heartstrings, and building trust with your supporters can turn your campaign into a success story!

So, read on and see the list of nonprofit crowdfunding tips we have prepared for you!

PS: We’ve also shared our top pick!

1. Set Achievable Goals and Make a Plan of Action

All nonprofit crowdfunding campaigns that hit their target and even go beyond start with a clear and achievable goal. Start by defining exactly what you want to accomplish.

Here’s a simple example to make it crystal clear:

Instead of aiming to “raise money for meals,” get specific: “We’re raising $5,000 to provide 1,000 meals to local families in need.”

This kind of attention to detail makes your goal much more tangible and helps potential donors truly feel the impact of their contributions!

Once your goal is set, next comes the step-by-step plan of action. Break your campaign into manageable phases—like pre-launch preparation, active promotion, and follow-ups. Ask yourself questions like: Who will you reach out to first? Which platforms will you use to share your campaign? How will you keep donors engaged?

With a seamless plan, you and your team will stay focused and tackle challenges as they arise. 

As Benjamin Franklin has said, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."

Oh, and remember that donors love to see progress! So don’t be afraid to share milestones along the way! 

2. Research and Pick the Right Platform

The right crowdfunding platform can be the backbone of your campaign’s success. So, don’t just pick the first one you stumble upon—do your homework!

Here’s how to approach it:

• Start by identifying what’s most important for your campaign.
• Does the platform make it easy to share your story?
• Can it handle peer-to-peer fundraising so supporters can create their own mini-campaigns to further amplify your reach?
• Are there features like recurring donation options and integration with your website or email system?

And let’s not forget the fees! Some platforms take a percentage of donations or have extra costs. It’s always wise to read the fine print even though we hate it (everyone does).

Another thing to look for is transparency. Consider only those platforms that have tools and features like donor tracking or analytics.

Before sealing the deal, put yourself in your donors’ shoes. Is the platform easy to use? Mobile-friendly? Secure? A smooth experience is quintessential for gathering the big bucks on crowdfunding platforms for nonprofits.

One excellent option is BetterWorld - which is fast, secure, and has every single tool you need to host the best crowdfunding for charity.

3. Share Your Story—Make it Personal!

At the heart of every successful crowdfunding campaign is a powerful, personal story that resonates with potential donors. Instead of general statements like, “We help students access education,” give details that go directly inside the readers’ hearts and showcase the enormous impact of your work!

Take a look at how the experts do it: 

“Meet Marium Khan, a bright young woman from western Sydney who’s been through more than her fair share of struggles. Growing up in a low-income, single-parent home, chasing her education felt like chasing the moon—far out of reach. Thanks to our amazing donors, we stepped in to lighten the load. With help for school uniforms, excursions, and activities, Marium didn’t just get what she needed—she felt seen, supported, and believed in. Fast forward to today, and Marium is smashing it, studying for her Bachelor of Education and determined to pay it forward. Her story? It’s proof that when we come together, dreams that once seemed impossible can take flight. That’s the magic you help make happen.”

• From The Daily Telegraph

4. Reach Out to Your Community

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” Your community is your team—when you invite them to join, amazing things can happen!

• Helen Keller

Your community is your greatest strength when it comes to nonprofit crowdfunding. They’re the people who care about your cause. Believe in your mission. And want to help! You just need to invite them in!

Start by reaching out to those closest to you: your friends, family, and long-time supporters. These are the people most likely to jump in early and give your campaign momentum. A simple, heartfelt message like, “We’re raising $10,000 to build a safe space for kids in our community, and we’d love your support!” works wonders.

Once you’ve reached your inner circle, don’t forget local connections! Reach out to community groups, schools, or businesses that align with your cause. A local café might let you leave flyers, or a school might promote your campaign in their newsletter.

5. Plan Your Outreach: Don’t Wing It!

A successful crowdfunding campaign has nothing to do with chance. Every single thing depends on having a clear, actionable plan to guide your outreach efforts. Preparation is everything for any nonprofit crowdfunding charity that wants to do well!

Plan how you’ll expand your reach and focus on each and every detail. Will you use email newsletters, social media, or in-person events?

Timing is also extremely sensitive! Don’t send all your messages at once. Spread them out over the course of your campaign to maintain momentum.

To put things in perspective: 

1. Launch with an email to your core supporters on the first day
2. Post a heartfelt video on social media in week two
3. Share a progress update halfway through.

Keep your messages consistent but fresh. Highlight your campaign’s goal and the impact of each donation, and celebrate milestones!

One of the most overlooked crowdfunding tips for success is realizing that messages like “We’ve reached 50% of our goal! Thank you for helping us bring clean water to 250 families. Let’s keep it going!” keep the campaign from slowing down.

6. Say Thank You (and Mean It)

You must have heard Maya Angelou say, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

A heartfelt thank you goes a long way in building lasting connections with your supporters. When someone donates to your campaign, they choose to believe in your mission—don’t let that go unnoticed!

Start by thanking donors immediately. A personalized email or message works wonders. The perfect example of this is God's Love We Deliver, a nonprofit in New York City. Every time a donor makes a donation, they express their gratitude and share how their contribution helped a real person:

You helped Antonia, a client of God's Love We Deliver, and she shares her experience: "God’s Love makes me feel important. They sent me a hand-drawn card and a homemade birthday cake for my birthday. They said I could have a little sugar on my birthday! 

7. Learn and Improvise in Real-Time

Even the best crowdfunding campaigns can hit bumps along the way. The key to success? Stay flexible, adapt quickly, and treat every challenge as a learning opportunity!

Keep an eye on your campaign’s progress.

• Are donations slowing down?
• Is one type of post getting more engagement than others?

Use analytics tools to track what’s working and what isn’t.

If you notice your video updates are getting lots of shares but your text posts aren’t, shift your focus to creating more videos.

Listen to your nonprofit’s crowdfunding supporters! Are they asking for more details about your campaign? Do they want updates on how their contributions are making a difference? They will give you information that's nothing short of gold!

Use their feedback to fine-tune your messaging. And remember, if something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to pivot.

Regroup and Keep Trying Until You Hit Your Target: Persistence Pays!

Crowdfunding is a full-fledged journey. It’s rarely a straight line to success. If you hit a slowdown or miss a milestone, don’t get discouraged—regroup, adapt, and keep pushing forward.

Start by reviewing what’s working and what’s not. Is your message clear? Are you engaging your audience enough? Maybe it’s time to try a new approach.

Sometimes, reaching out directly to potential donors can make a big difference. A personalized email or message can reignite interest and remind people why your cause matters.

Celebrate every win, no matter how small. When you show gratitude and excitement for progress—like hitting 50% of your goal—it inspires others to step up and contribute.

Above all, stay persistent! Fundraising takes time! Not every effort will immediately pay off. Remember why you started, and keep your eyes on the impact you want to create.

As Thomas Edison said, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

Keep going, keep adapting, and trust that your dedication will get you to your goal. You’ve got this!

Using an Online Nonprofit Crowdfunding Platform to Win!

Crowdfunding platforms for nonprofits are all over the place. Let’s talk about taking your fundraising to the next level with the top pick, BetterWorld. We’ve built it specifically for nonprofits like yours! It’s simple, effective, and stress-free to rally support for your cause!

Here’s the best part: BetterWorld is completely free. That means every dollar raised goes exactly where it’s needed—straight to the heart of your mission. No hidden fees, no surprises!

BetterWorld makes it so simple to create beautiful, customizable donation pages that tell your story and inspire action. You can also run exciting campaigns like raffles, auctions, and peer-to-peer fundraisers, all in one place! Plus, we keep your donors engaged with updates, success stories, and progress tracking that builds trust and connection.

Your mission deserves the best tools and support. With BetterWorld, you can focus on what matters most—changing lives and creating a better world for everyone. Get a free demo today!