50 Facts About Fundraiser

General Fundraising Statistics

Fundraising is the lifeblood of many nonprofit organizations. Understanding the landscape can help you navigate it better.

1. Number of Nonprofit Organizations: Over 1.5 million nonprofits operate in the United States.
2. Average Donation Amount: One-time gifts average $121, while recurring gifts are typically $25.
3. Operating Expenses: Nearly half (46.48%) of nonprofit staff cite rising operating expenses as their biggest challenge.
4. Smaller Organizations: Almost 1 million U.S. nonprofits make below $50,000 in annual revenue.
5. Total Donations: Individuals donated $319.04 billion in 2022, with $6.5 billion raised in 2023.
6. Number of Donors: Around 4.8 million donors contributed in 2023, despite a 2.8% decrease in giving.

Demographics and Giving Trends

Who gives and how they give can shape your fundraising strategy.

7. Generational Giving: Over half of Gen X and Gen Z are willing to fundraise for nonprofits.
8. Age and Giving: Generosity spans all ages, races, and genders, with middle-class, working-class, and poor people giving significantly.

Year-End Giving Statistics

The end of the year is a crucial time for fundraising efforts.

9. Year-End Giving Trends: Personalized acknowledgments to first-time donors can increase repeat donations by over 80%.
10. New Donors: Peer-to-peer fundraising can help recruit around 300 new donors on average for nonprofit campaigns.

Online Donation Statistics

Online donations are becoming increasingly important.

11. Online Revenue: Email campaigns accounted for 14% of total online revenue for nonprofits in 2022.
12. Email Engagement: Personalizing the sender in emails can increase open rates by 329%, and adding a donor’s name boosts it by 270%.
13. Welcome Series: Welcome series focused on offering content can increase donor conversion rates by 920%.

Social Media Fundraising Statistics

Social media is a powerful tool for engaging with potential donors.

14. Social Media Engagement: It allows for soliciting feedback and addressing concerns about fundraising efforts.
15. Mobile Fundraising: There was an 11% increase in mobile fundraising subscriber lists in 2022, with nonprofits sending 28% more mobile messages.

Mobile Fundraising Statistics

Mobile devices are now a major platform for donations.

16. Mobile Users: Mobile users made up 57% of nonprofit website traffic in 2022, with 36% completing a donation.
17. Text Fundraising: The average gift size for text fundraising in 2023 was $134, and Qgiv’s platform saw text donations averaging $30 higher than the industry norm.

Email Fundraising Statistics

Email remains a staple in the fundraising toolkit.

18. Email Campaigns: Email campaigns declined by 4% in 2022, but personalized emails can significantly boost engagement.
19. Email Frequency: Nonprofits sent an average of 60 emails per subscriber in 2022, with a 2% decrease in email subscriber lists.

Fundraising Event Statistics

Events can be a great way to raise funds and engage with donors.

20. Event Frequency: 27% of Qgiv’s Sustainable Giving Report hosts 5 or more fundraising events per year.
21. In-Person Events: 33% of donors prefer in-person events, which offer direct interaction opportunities.

Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Statistics

Peer-to-peer fundraising can expand your donor base significantly.

22. Peer-to-Peer Campaigns: These campaigns recruit an average of 300 new donors for nonprofits.
23. Donor Engagement: Personalized acknowledgments in peer-to-peer campaigns can significantly increase repeat donations.

Volunteering Statistics

Volunteers are invaluable to fundraising efforts.

24. Volunteer Involvement: Volunteers help spread the word and participate in various fundraising activities.

Grant Statistics

Grants are a competitive but essential source of funding.

25. Grant Funding: Careful planning and application are crucial for securing grant funding.

Corporate Philanthropy Statistics

Corporate giving can provide substantial support.

26. Corporate Giving: Companies often provide significant donations and support through corporate philanthropy.

Recurring Giving Statistics

Recurring donations provide a stable income stream.

27. Recurring Gifts: The average donation amount for recurring gifts is $25.

Matching Gifts Statistics

Matching gifts can double your donations.

28. Matching Gifts: These programs provide a dollar-for-dollar match of donations made by employees or their spouses.

Major Gift Statistics

Major gifts can have a huge impact.

29. Major Gifts: Significant donations can substantially impact a nonprofit’s budget and operations.

Tech Statistics

Technology is transforming fundraising.

30. Tech in Fundraising: Platforms like Qgiv and Bloomerang offer tools for managing donor data, sending personalized emails, and tracking progress.

Sources of Funding

Understanding where your funds come from is crucial.

31. Earned Income: Products and fees for service account for about 50% of all nonprofit income.
32. Government Funding: Government funding makes up 30% of nonprofit income.
33. Private Sector Funding: Foundations, corporations, and individuals contribute the remaining 20%.

Surprising Facts About Fundraising

Fundraising is more than just asking for money.

34. Fundraising is Not a One-Time Event: It requires continuous effort and strategy.
35. Multiple Ways to Fundraise: Auctions, bake sales, and social media campaigns are just a few methods.
36. Low-Cost Fundraising: Garage sales and bake sales can be effective without needing much money.
37. No Need for Popularity: Introverts and those with smaller social media followings can still be successful fundraisers.
38. No Need for Expertise: Passion and authenticity are key to connecting with donors.
39. No Need for Perfection: Being authentic and sharing your story can make a significant difference.

Best Practices for Fundraising

Following best practices can improve your fundraising efforts.

40. Have a Plan: A plan keeps you focused on the ultimate goal.
41. Be Organized: Track donors, donations, and follow-up communications.
42. Be Persuasive: Articulate why the cause is important and how donations make a difference.
43. Be Patient: Raising money takes time; focus on small amounts from many people.
44. Be Persistent: Follow up with donors, engage with your community, and continuously promote your cause.

Specific Fundraising Ideas

Get creative with your fundraising efforts.

45. Auctions: Auction sports memorabilia, spa packages, gift baskets, and more.
46. Babysitting: Collect donations from parents to babysit during events.
47. Bake Sales: Hold bake sales at places with heavy foot traffic.
48. Bingo Nights: Organize bingo nights, charging a fee for participation and selling refreshments.
49. Birthday Parties/House Parties: Host parties and ask guests to make a donation or charge a fee.
50. Build-Your-Own Fundraiser: Combine different ideas or create something new. Make it fun and engaging.

Fundraising: A Continuous Journey

Fundraising isn't a one-time gig; it's an ongoing effort that demands strategy, creativity, and persistence. From understanding donor demographics to leveraging social media and mobile fundraising, there's a lot to juggle. Personalized emails, peer-to-peer campaigns, and recurring gifts can significantly boost your efforts. Don't forget the power of in-person events and volunteer involvement. Even low-cost methods like bake sales or bingo nights can make a difference. Remember, you don't need to be an expert or have a huge following to succeed. Authenticity and passion go a long way. Keep track of your donors, stay organized, and always follow up. With the right plan and a bit of patience, your fundraising efforts can thrive, making a meaningful impact on your cause. So, roll up your sleeves and get started—your mission awaits!