How to Use Community Building to Strengthen Fundraising

Article Contributor: BWF

Donors give to your nonprofit’s fundraising campaigns because they believe in your mission and want to help further your goals. For some supporters, that belief is enough to keep them engaged over time.

But for most, it’s the people that keep them coming back—not just the individuals your organization helps, but also the fellow donors, volunteers, staff, and advocates who make your mission possible. Being part of that community gives supporters a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

Whether you’re interested in planning standout events or figuring out the best ways to foster donor loyalty and trust, here are some tips to help you use community building to boost your campaign results.

1. Plan fulfilling non-donation experiences.

It might seem counterintuitive, but one of the best ways to boost revenue is to focus on the parts of supporter engagement that aren’t about donating. Activities like volunteering, advocacy, and peer-to-peer campaigns play a massive role in moving your mission forward. Plus, they help build a sense of community and shared goals, keeping people connected to your cause (and increasing their likelihood of donating).

With that in mind, use these tips to ensure that your non-fundraising activities are fulfilling and meaningful:

• Design volunteer roles that allow for purpose-driven, skilled contributions. Managing volunteers effectively requires your organization to build relationships based on more than just a passion for your mission. When you engage volunteers in skilled roles that directly relate to your organization’s purpose, they’ll get much more value from the experience. For example, you could ask volunteers with a keen eye for design to help create event posters and flyers, or supporters with tutoring experience to work with your after-school program.
• Encourage team-based volunteering to deepen relationships. Facilitate relationship-building among supporters by inviting them to volunteer in groups. Contact businesses, civic groups, schools, universities, and other community organizations to spotlight your group volunteering opportunities. Go above and beyond by offering additional team-building activities that help group members feel more connected to your mission and one another.
• Invite supporters to engage in peer-to-peer campaigns. Peer-to-peer campaigns put supporters in charge of pushing fundraising efforts forward. Foster friendly competition between participants by creating a peer-to-peer fundraising challenge, such as calling on supporters to raise $500 each. Share a leaderboard and frequent supporter shoutouts on social media to recognize top performers and maintain campaign momentum.
• Engage donors in your advocacy efforts. If your organization has an advocacy arm, prioritize making this initiative as inclusive and welcoming as possible so that any supporter can get involved. Ensure advocates are well-equipped with training and resources to help them succeed, such as pamphlets or phone scripts.

When supporters see how their fundraising makes a difference—not just in dollars raised, but in activities like volunteer programs or advocacy work—they’ll feel more connected to your mission and community. That connection makes them more likely to stick around and keep giving. And it’s not just a nice theory; studies have shown that people who volunteer in a previous year are 14.5% more likely to donate in the current year.

2. Create events that go beyond fundraising.

Your events should not only prioritize a high return on investment (ROI); they should also provide a significant return on experience (ROE). ROE encompasses multiple metrics that speak to attendees’ enjoyment of the event, such as their feedback and event perceptions. 

A high ROE means that attendees valued your event for more than just its fundraising opportunities—they were able to form meaningful connections and engage with your mission in unique and creative ways. 

Increase event ROE with these tips to facilitate a holistic and engaging experience: 

• Incorporate interactive components like storytelling or simulations. Create stations where supporters can visualize various aspects of your mission, such as your reforestation efforts or the scope of your meal delivery program in your community.
• Facilitate networking among guests. Give attendees event badges with details like their full names, job titles, how long they’ve been involved in your organization, and a QR code leading to information like their phone number or website. Participants can get to know other attendees by reviewing the information on their badges and following up after the event to continue forming personal and professional relationships.
• Ensure events are inclusive and accessible to a wide range of community members. Whether your events are in-person or online, they should be inviting and accessible for any supporter to attend. Ensure in-person events comply with ADA guidelines and online events and meetings follow best practices, such as using a meeting platform that is compatible with assistive technologies and including live captions for videos.

Follow up meaningfully after your events to grow new connections and provide additional ways for attendees to stay involved. If your event focused on fundraising, share your total donation amount and how your nonprofit will use the funds. Additionally, invite attendees to future activities, such as volunteer days, advocacy meetings, food drives, or 5Ks.

3. Start a membership or loyalty program.

Membership programs empower highly engaged supporters to take their giving efforts to the next level. They can demonstrate their dedication to your cause by setting up recurring donations to support all aspects of your operations. 

Build your membership community by taking these steps:

• Identify potential members through prospect development. BWF’s prospect development guide recommends starting your prospect development research with the internal donor data in your nonprofit CRM. Scan your current donors to identify potential recurring supporters who exhibit wealth indicators (such as past large donations to your organization) and warmth indicators (such as involvement in additional activities like volunteering). These supporters have the capacity and willingness to participate in your nonprofit membership program.
• Offer membership benefits. These perks may include exclusive email content, early event ticketing access, or discounted merchandise. Providing these incentives shows members that you appreciate their involvement and want to go the extra mile to create an exceptional experience.
• Recognize members regularly. Spotlight members in emails to all donors, social media posts, and during events. Include a donor wall on your website that lists all members’ names to acknowledge their efforts publicly. 

Track membership engagement and feedback to enhance the experience. Evaluate membership engagement metrics such as program retention, event attendance, and average gift size. At the same time, gather members’ feedback using surveys asking about their satisfaction level and likelihood of renewing their membership. 

Combine the quantitative and qualitative data you receive to enhance your program to better appeal to members’ needs and interests.

4. Join forces with other community organizations. 

Your nonprofit doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s an integral part of the fabric of your local community. The people who live within your community are your donors, volunteers, advocates, fundraisers, and supporters. 

Acknowledging and building on this sense of community can give your fundraising efforts the strength they need to support your organization year-round. Make the most of community relationships using the following strategies:

• Host co-branded events or awareness campaigns with other nonprofits. Partner with other charitable organizations to host community events such as 5Ks, festivals, or concerts. You can also create partnerships with these charities where you share links to their campaigns and vice versa. These efforts offer mutual benefits because they help both organizations access a broader audience of potential new supporters, especially when you partner with nonprofits with similar missions.
• Partner with businesses for corporate-sponsored events, donations, or volunteering. Businesses often seek ways to expand their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. In fact, a CSR study from Double the Donation found that 58% of companies say workplace giving programs are essential in retaining employees. Take advantage of these charitable attitudes by planning events, volunteer opportunities, or cross-marketing campaigns with your corporate partners.
• Align fundraising goals with shared community outcomes. By aligning with community goals and projects, you can ensure that wins for your nonprofit are wins for your whole community. For example, your efforts to clean up local parks may align with your community’s goal to be a safe haven for families and people who enjoy the outdoors. Your nonprofit could partner with civic organizations that volunteer to pick up trash and repaint benches in your community. 

These tips can help you whether your community is local or global. For nonprofits targeting an international audience, consider running digital marketing and fundraising campaigns in collaboration with similar organizations or virtually partnering with businesses that share your philanthropic goals.

5. Prioritize donor appreciation. 

Your current donor community deserves frequent, genuine appreciation and acknowledgment. Recognizing these supporters in thoughtful and meaningful ways encourages them to remain part of your community for years to come. 

Optimize your donor stewardship approach with these simple next steps:

• Segment donors for tailored appreciation. Group donors based on shared characteristics to tailor your messages to each segment’s unique needs and interests. For example, you could create groups for small, mid-level, and major donors, and send each segment unique updates about how their collective support helped reach campaign goals.
• Personalize thank-yous with details about each donor’s unique impact. Send thank-you emails personalized with donors’ names, gift amounts, and a unique statement about how their donation helped further your aims. For example, explain that a donor’s $500 gift allowed you to purchase new supplies for your community mobile health clinic.
• Use video or social media shoutouts to publicly express gratitude. Send donors personalized videos thanking them for their individual contributions. Additionally, use your social media platforms to share donor stories or testimonials and show appreciation for supporters’ commitment.

Donors who feel like a genuine part of your nonprofit community are inspired to give again and stay engaged over time. According to the Fundraising Effectiveness Report, repeat-retained donors (donors who gave last year to the organization, but not for the first time) contributed 60% of all funds raised in 2024. Plus, repeat donor retention is significantly higher than new donor retention. 

Your nonprofit’s community should be dynamic and ever-evolving to meet the needs of your donors, volunteers, advocates, and other supporters. By meeting supporters where they are, listening to what matters to them, and showing up with sincere intentions, you can build a powerful movement to support your fundraising efforts year-round.