Expert tips for nonprofit fundraising success 

The number one request Candid gets from nonprofits is for support with fundraising, whether they’re looking for training, resources, or general help navigating the complexities of keeping their nonprofit in good financial shape. Fundraisers need support to help their organizations sustain day-to-day operations, implement and expand programs, and ensure financial stability for future planning and long-term projects. 

To highlight the most helpful resources, we dove into our archives to resurface the top tips and trends in nonprofit fundraising. These articles explain, for example, how to overcome fundraising challenges during an election year, how to make sure your nonprofit is “grant-ready,” and how even the smallest nonprofits can get noticed by potential donors and build those relationships. We also share free books about year-end fundraising strategies. 

Strategic nonprofit fundraising 

There’s no one-size-fits-all template for successful nonprofit fundraising. Fundraisers face different challenges, ranging from competing with political campaigns in an election year to establishing small organizations that are just starting out. These articles offer strategies for meeting these specific challenges. 

Nonprofit fundraising in an election year is especially tough. What can fundraisers do?. Learn how you can overcome challenges in nonprofit fundraising in an election year by adapting your messaging to reach the next generation of nonprofit donors, while also diversifying your outreach, and embracing data to guide your decision making. 

Is your nonprofit organization ‘grant-ready’?. Are you seeking a grant from a foundation for the first time? Consider how your organization’s tax status, track record, leadership and board, and financial viability could influence donors’ decision making. 

Visibility and relationships: Effective fundraising for small nonprofits. Candid’s senior development manager shares insider tips, tactics, and strategies for building relationships with grantmakers to help smaller nonprofits find, secure, and retain grant funding. 

Resources for fundraisers 

Candid offers numerous resources for fundraisers, including training, educational articles, and a free, public collection of eBooks and audiobooks on fundraising and other nonprofit topics. Here are just a few highlights, including how nonprofits can earn a Candid Seal of Transparency on their nonprofit profile to boost visibility.  

Kickstart a successful fundraising year with Candid Seals of Transparency. Find out how Candid Seals benefit nonprofits like yours and how to get started earning a Seal to boost your fundraising success. 

Zero-cost, maximum-impact professional development for fundraisers. Take your nonprofit fundraising to the next level with Candid’s free training. From quick, on-demand videos about compelling storytelling to more intensive webinars on writing the strongest grant proposals, Candid offers dozens of professional development opportunities at any given time.  

12 free nonprofit books to help you achieve year-end fundraising success. Check out 12 titles from Candid’s collection that can help you make the most out of your year-end fundraising efforts this giving season. These include How to Write Successful Fundraising Appeals by Mal Warwick, From the Ground Up Digital Fundraising for Nonprofits by Brock Warner, and Storytelling: The Secret Sauce of Fundraising Success by Lynn Malzone Ierardi. 

Data and trends 

The nonprofit fundraising landscape is constantly changing. Keep up with implications of the latest data and trends that affect fundraisers.  

5 takeaways from the Fundraising Effectiveness Project’s 2023 data. Dig into the Fundraising Effectiveness Project’s 2023 data to discover five key takeaways that discuss trends in individual giving, including a decline in the number of donors and dollars raised, and what they may signal for nonprofits in 2024.  

Beyond efficiency: A human-first AI adoption strategy. How will AI affect fundraising and the people dedicated to that work? Beth Kanter and Allison Fine explain the risks and benefits, including saving fundraisers time on prospect research so they can spend more time talking to donors. 

We hope that these strategies and resources support your nonprofit’s fundraising success.  

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