The nonprofit sector continues to evolve as new tools, trends, and donor expectations shape how organizations raise funds. Staying ahead of these trends isn’t just about keeping up—it’s about creating meaningful connections, building trust, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
As we look toward 2025, three key fundraising trends stand out: personalization, recurring donations, and corporate sponsorships. These strategies have the potential to revolutionize your fundraising approach, making it easier to engage donors and grow your impact.
1. Personalization for Impact
Donors want to feel seen and valued. Generic appeals and one-size-fits-all campaigns no longer cut it in today’s personalized world. To build trust and boost donations, nonprofits are leaning into tools like videos and tailored FAQs to create meaningful, customized experiences for their supporters.
The Power of Video
Videos bring your nonprofit’s mission to life in a way that text and photos alone cannot. A compelling story shared through video can evoke emotion, inspire action, and build a sense of connection. In 2025, nonprofits are doubling down on this medium to show donors the real-world impact of their contributions.
- Impact Stories: Feature a beneficiary sharing how your organization has changed their life. For example, a short clip of a student receiving a scholarship or a family benefiting from housing support can powerfully convey the importance of your mission.
- Behind-the-Scenes Content: Give supporters a peek behind the curtain—whether it’s footage of volunteers in action or your team prepping for an event. These moments humanize your organization and build trust.
- Interactive Formats: Live video Q&A sessions or personalized thank-you messages create real-time engagement, making donors feel uniquely appreciated.
Building Trust Through FAQs
While emotional stories inspire action, transparency builds confidence. A well-crafted FAQ page or section on your donation platform can address donor concerns and reduce hesitations.
Consider questions like:
- Where does my money go?
- How much of my donation supports administrative costs?
- What tangible impact does my donation have?
Pair these answers with infographics, visuals, or even short videos for a more engaging experience. Donors are more likely to give—and keep giving—when they feel their contributions make a genuine difference.
2. Recurring Donations as a Growth Strategy
One-time gifts are essential, but recurring donations provide a reliable revenue stream that allows nonprofits to plan for the future. In 2025, nonprofits are prioritizing this model, and for good reason: it’s not just about raising funds; it’s about fostering ongoing relationships with donors.
Start Small, Grow Big
Recurring donations allow donors to make smaller, manageable contributions on a regular basis rather than a single large gift. Over time, these consistent donations add up, often surpassing the value of one-time contributions.
To encourage recurring giving:
- Offer suggested monthly amounts with clear examples of the impact (e.g., “$25/month provides school supplies for one child”).
- Make the process simple with a user-friendly platform allowing donors to easily set up, modify, or cancel their recurring donations.
Upselling Through Impact Tiers
Once donors have a recurring gift, they’re more likely to consider increasing their contribution over time. Regular updates showcasing the impact of their donations can inspire them to give at the next tier. For instance, sharing a story about how a $50 monthly gift funds an entire program might encourage a $25 donor to increase their commitment.
Recognizing Your Recurring Donors
Loyal donors deserve special recognition. In 2025, nonprofits are finding creative ways to celebrate their recurring donors:
- Offer exclusive updates or “behind-the-scenes” content to keep them engaged.
- Send personalized thank-you messages or handwritten notes.
- Highlight recurring donors in your newsletter or on your website.
This extra effort goes a long way in building donor loyalty, ensuring your supporters feel appreciated and connected to your mission.
3. Corporate Sponsorships That Shine
Corporate partnerships remain a cornerstone of nonprofit fundraising, and in 2025, the focus is on creating dynamic sponsorship packages that appeal to businesses of all sizes. By offering flexibility and creative promotion opportunities, nonprofits can attract sponsors eager to align with their mission.
Crafting the Perfect Sponsorship Tiers
Not all businesses have the same capacity to give, but every business has the potential to contribute meaningfully. A tiered sponsorship approach allows you to meet businesses where they are while maximizing their support.
Here’s how to structure your tiers:
- Bronze Level: Small business-friendly options like a mention on your website or inclusion in event programs.
- Silver Level: Mid-tier benefits include social media shout-outs, branded merchandise, and event signage.
- Gold Level: Premium opportunities such as co-branded campaigns, speaking slots at events, or exclusive networking opportunities with your donors and board members.
Make sure your sponsorship packages clearly outline what businesses will receive in return for their support. Emphasize the visibility, credibility, and community impact they’ll gain by aligning with your organization.
Promoting Your Sponsors
Once you’ve secured corporate partners, keeping them engaged and excited about their investment is key. In 2025, nonprofits are leveraging creative tactics to showcase their sponsors:
- Event Branding: Include sponsor logos on everything from banners to digital invites and event swag.
- Social Media Spotlights: Share posts highlighting your sponsors’ contributions and publicly thank them for their support.
- Collaborative Content: Work with sponsors to create co-branded content that highlights your partnership, like blog posts or videos.
When sponsors see a return on their investment—not just financially but also in brand recognition and goodwill—they’re more likely to renew their support year after year.
Key Takeaways for 2025
As the fundraising landscape continues to shift, nonprofits must adapt to meet new donor expectations and capitalize on emerging opportunities. Your organization can create meaningful relationships, boost donor retention, and build a sustainable future by focusing on personalization, recurring donations, and corporate sponsorships.
- Invest in Personalization: Use tools like videos and FAQs to connect with donors on a deeper level.
- Encourage Recurring Donations: Build lasting relationships and reliable revenue through monthly giving.
- Leverage Corporate Sponsorships: Offer tiered packages and creative promotion to attract and retain business partners.
Ready to put these trends into action? Join Cheddar Up’s free webinar on Proven Trends and Strategies for Fundraising Success and discover how to seamlessly implement these strategies in your nonprofit. From crafting personalized donor experiences to setting up recurring giving options and building irresistible corporate sponsorship packages, this webinar will equip you with practical tips and tools to maximize your impact. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experts and take your fundraising efforts to the next level! Register here to reserve your spot.
If you’re ready to start implementing these best practices, Cheddar Up makes it easy to take the first step. Our free plan allows you to start collecting funds and managing your nonprofit’s needs with no commitment so that you can experience the platform’s power without any upfront cost.
When it’s time to elevate your fundraising, Nonprofit-Apps members can unlock an exclusive 40% discount on Pro and Team annual subscription plans. These upgrades provide access to advanced tools and features designed to save time and maximize your impact. Use code NPL40 to upgrade—but don’t wait, this offer ends December 31, 2025!
Sign up now and put these trends into action with ease.
With these strategies in your toolkit, 2025 could be your nonprofit’s most impactful year yet!
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