Fundraising for Nonprofits: How To Start Raising Money (Step by Step)

How do you start to fundraise when you start a nonprofit organization? Fundraising can be intimidating; here is a step by step guide to getting started. #Fundraise #Nonprofit #Startup
When you start a nonprofit, figuring out how to raise money can seem like one of the scariest or challenging parts of the process. But, raising funds is typically necessary to grow your nonprofit organization’s impacts, and a critical skill to learn to succeed. Here are the basics of how you start fundraising when you’re first starting a nonprofit from scratch, especially from individual donors. When you break it down into common sense, easy to follow steps, it doesn’t have to seem so daunting!
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// MORE ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Amber, a nonprofit founder, Executive Director, and public speaker on social impact, changemaking, nonprofits, leadership, and more. Want me to come speak at your business, college, school, or event? Reach out: ambermsmith.com/
My Nonprofit Founder to Full-Time Academy -- with online trainings to guide you through the steps to start a nonprofit (in the USA) and more -- is now LIVE! foundertofulltime.com/
On Facebook? Talk to me and other change makers about social change, nonprofits, social enterprise, leadership and more in my Facebook group, Change the World or Bust: / changetheworldorbust
Join my newsletter! ambermsmith.com/blog/newsletter/
I'm also on Twitter: / ambermelsmith
Pics of me and my cute dog on Instagram: / ambermelsmith

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

My Nonprofit Founder to Full-Time Academy -- with online trainings to guide you through the steps to start a nonprofit (in the USA) and more -- is now LIVE! foundertofulltime.com/

[@Alnoor7Inc]

Our organization is a non-profit tax-exempt federally 501(c)3 and tax-exempt also from the state of Texas. However, I have not been able to obtain any donation yet. Give me free software first please 🤗🤗🤗

[@michaelschwartz8922]

“Living a life of impact and purpose” love

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

☺

[@miltonericfletcher3047]

Great video Amber. I am the President of a Non-Profit, and we a just beginning our fund raising efforts. The information you provided was invaluable! God bless!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful! Best of luck with everything!!

[@fashionandfortunes9692]

Hello, Thank you so much for creating this video! I have been giving to charities financially and volunteering sporadically throughout my life. There are some causes though that I want to help with and don't see an already formed organization. I've been questioning if I could start an organization and still am not sure if that will be my path but, this video has made me think a lot about what that would look like. Thank you for sharing this information!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

So glad it was helpful! Starting a nonprofit is not for everyone / easy, but if done well with passion and persistence, can be very rewarding! You can also start a business and help causes too. There are many ways to make an impact for causes you care about. :)

[@selinacardoza7441]

I just starting, got my paperwork done, and watching a bunch of nonprofit tips. Thanks for these!!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

You're so welcome! Good luck!

[@daishanewsomednp6956]

How it’s going ? Where are you from?

[@christineowens6306]

Thank you for the information, I am learning how to do a fundraiser for the first time I am on step one. ☺

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

You got this!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Are you starting to fundraise for a nonprofit? What step are you on right now? What are your challenges or successes? Share!

[@abovethestigma5614]

Amber I’m in the pending status on my nonprofit and I was wondering if you’d be available for a call. I love all of your videos and they have been very helpful.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

So glad they are helping! What are your questions?

[@abovethestigma5614]

Amber Melanie Smith would you consider being a mentor? How would you recommend getting more corporate sponsorships? How would you go about marketing in the beginning with smaller starting funds?

[@mamaboogz3969]

I am at the beginning stages I'm looking for board members

[@beequeened800]

Great advice!! You rock !

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

:)

[@berniceahiakwa5199]

Thank you so much, the best so far🙏💙

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad you liked it!! :)

[@mdianga0103]

Awesome!!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

:)

[@FrancessCowan]

Thank you for sharing. This is packed with great ideas.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hoseamatavao1483]

Really understand this thanks 👍

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad to hear it!

[@chemaynusrah9957]

This is soo insightful, thank you Amber

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad to hear it! :)

[@mightmanmagarasadza5506]

It's really helping Amper thank you so much ...I am the fundraising head of STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION ZIMBABWE and I really appreciate your help thank you so much

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

So glad the videos are helpful!!

[@yimeandr3826]

Thank you! Amazing! You saved my life!)))

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it helped!

[@hemhoorsingerofficaloffici6775]

They way you explain things it’s amazing 👌🏻

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Ha, thank you!

[@cherylenecase3286]

Thank you Amber for your wonderful insight!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@richards8834]

Thank you! These are great and important ideas and considerations when trying to fundraise

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks Richard!

[@rebeccachanda9292]

This information is so so helpful. Thank you so much

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rasheemrooke3400]

Great video. I can't wait to implement some of this information!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hopedomesvision4africa984]

Thanks!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thank you SO much for the support for the channel!!!

[@agathakmundia6229]

Thanks for the powerful presentation. My desire is to help Orphans and Vulnerable Children but didn't know how to get started. Am in Zambia, Central Africa

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@mauricewilliams5013]

Thank you so much for sharing this invaluable information, your content was very easy to follow!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mablepringle2560]

Great info

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mercyekeleme]

This is really valuable to me as a nonprofit newbie. Thank you so much.🙏 Just subscribed to your channel.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Yay! Welcome aboard!

[@nourishachilduganda683]

Surely good information.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it helped!

[@ameliakleingeldt163]

👌excellent tips, thank you Amber!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stephaniegiampiccolo6005]

Really informative. Thank you

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@abubakaribrahimnune9203]

thanks good Information

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lebohangmohapi8605]

Thanks, helpful information

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robertgirling4616]

Amber Thank you for your excellent videos. You are an amazing speaker and your information is valuable and extremely well organized and easy to understand.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Wow, thank you!

[@user-xb2rx2ey6t]

I really appreciate 🙏 your videos,we are a start up to end homelessness and help people out of addiction and poverty

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks for sharing your passion and mission!

[@yimeandr3826]

Interesting to know more about non-profit in education

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Yess! There's so much info out there.

[@travismayfield2317]

Thankyou so much for the information. Im in the process of working with veterans with PTSD and children and adults with autism. I am retired military and I have great people that work with me doing Equine Horse Therapy.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks for sharing your mission, Travis!

[@JudyFHoyle]

I am right at the very beginning. I'm so glad you mentioned the Charitable Solicitation License. I am working on all of the paperwork to get the board solidified, and I have created almost all of the documents I will use, plus I am planning the evaluation process. I'm so glad you shared this video! Thanks so much!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

So awesome that you're thinking about the evaluation process in the beginning stages!

[@kyabaggusimon8841]

Thanks alot, this has been very helpful and I hope to follow and every step in my endeavor to start a charity organization Soon. The world need more people like you am very grateful indeed.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

So glad to hear it was helpful!!

[@user-lg7gt6ob5k]

Thx for unstopping aspirations

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

😀

[@gracesoon7823]

Thankyou, I'm newly beginner the insights were much helpful.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@user-ik9un7kl8i]

Many thanks.. God bless your home.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks for watching!

[@mamaboogz3969]

new subscriber i just sat here watching your video ive watched 5 already maybe 6. great content thank you you make it easy to understand

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

I'm so glad the videos are helpful!

[@timikahwilliams7122]

That is exactly what happened to me, lol... so much content

[@mamaboogz3969]

@@timikahwilliams7122 I know lol I cant leave her once I start watching lol

[@mamaboogz3969]

@@AmberMelanieSmith thank you for posting it's a great healo

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

@@mamaboogz3969 :)

[@soymiltonfi]

Good ideas. Thanks for sharing. I would like to start a fundraising activity for a non-profit project in Honduras. I will keep watching your videos to learn more

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks for watching!

[@UniqueGuidanceWithTreonna]

Wonderful information I am very excited about my new journey I am getting ready to accomplish as a nonprofit entrepreneur making changes In my community! Thank you

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Best of luck!

[@rachelfaith9169]

Step 1: Plan your fund raising in advance. Focus: Individual Donation(s) - One-Time -Reoccurring (monthly/quarterly) -Donor advised fund - Major Gift. (relationship is Key).

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks for watching!

[@ParadoxReport]

Good video

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thank you for watching!

[@marthapocchiari2784]

I am writing my business plan and I really appreciate your insider info! Soooo helpful. You’re giving me the answers to the test I have to implement,which is half the battle. Your insight is amazing! TY♥️ My mission statement for “Moms Nuturing Kids in Care”, is to develop a model to assist foster parents to take whole sibling groups into care.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Love it! I'm so happy to hear the videos are helping someone!

[@debbieshook7246]

Hello, This is helping me so much, Want to thank you for these videos. I want to start a nonprofit and I am getting so much for you. Have not got into anything yet have to get help for my website and more and like I said I am starting all paper now.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks for watching Debbie! The beginning parts, with brainstorming and ideas, can be lots of fun!

[@infoawkpk]

Amber, Thank you for making the video. I have been in the non profit sector for quite a time but still we are facing issues in fundraising due to COVID-19. need to connect on this.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@b-borg8942]

Thank you so much for this video I will use it to review my business plan and WOW! The way you bring us thru the end of this video is awesome! I didn't look at your video with analytic software but I am sure you get your viewers to view back this video to make sure they follow all your tips as they all important steps. My order is quite different because of the circumstances I make the proof first as a proven base is always a solid one for me. And all so by getting material donations thanks to your suggestion And as making videos to prove the necessity and the impact the prosthetic device has on peoples also help me to attract a better board of directors for the registration and some basic donation as the registration fees could be quite of high even in a country like here in India where the fees are only USD 1 000.00 but this represents in Rupees 70 000.00 and when you consider as a day of living cost INR 250.00 that's a big amount. With regards, Ali Bradford

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

I'm so glad this has been helpful for you! It can be hard to identify quite how to start!

[@Alnoor7Inc]

Really thank you so much for your videos, I am a founder and President of new Nonprofit US organization, and fighting now to start funderising but it seems somewhat difficult or maybe I am somewhat stupid 😂, Really you are creating a very useful videos, thanks a lot for you

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

You're not stupid! Fundraising is hard! Start with making as many relationships as you can.

[@andrewthomasvisuals7670]

🔥

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

🌦

[@nnctechnicalkids4035]

hello Amber Amber Thank you for your excellent videos. You are an amazing speaker and your information is valuable we have started new organization in souther Punjab Pakistan we want to empower the youth by skills Thankyou so much for the information.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thank you so much!

[@drivenbyexcellence2725]

WOW, God bless America

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks for visiting the channel!

[@OdidiifeolaFertilityFoundation]

Thank you Amber for this awesome video, it straight forward and packed with information. I am the President of Odidiifeola Fertility Foundation, a non profit created to support women Trying To Conceive, to access IVF and other ART. Been doing it alone for a couple of years with great result to the glory of God. I recently create an online support group where I meet with all the women. Have 100s of women in that group today. Just finish paper work with the bank with zero idea of how to start fundraising. This great video from you is a life saver Amber, more grace to you.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

I am so happy to hear the video was helpful to you!

[@abadirdulla8234]

Dear; Amber i am grateful for your guide its very challenging for the country where Non -profit was not used to Non -profit-- Organization how do you advice.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Do you have a legal structure for non-governmental organizations / nonprofits in your country?

[@armiyantomuhamad6726]

yess i ll already subscribe your chanel

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thank you!

[@jodenham932]

Firstly, thanks for this well-explained video. My nonprofit (in UK) is new but it has a legal structure, a website, and a tiny bit of a following but the directors had to step back due to lack of time and us less-experienced folk are taking it on! We really need to fundraise enough to pay part-time salaries for a couple of people to put in the quality work it needs to get everything growing. I'm worried that it might be hard asking donors for that at the beginning? Is there any advice you could offer on that? All the best

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

I would say determine a concrete goal for money raised and build a case around why it's important to raise that money, then give it a shot! "If we can raise X... we can do Y... and that will result in us being able to serve Z more people..."

[@jodenham932]

@@AmberMelanieSmith thank you!

[@MrEyesickearsick]

Finding my board members..

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Is that the part you're working on right now?

[@SantoshKumari-bc1yy]

@@AmberMelanieSmith yes, please make a video on that too. I've started a non profit and I'm glad I came across your channel!!!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

@@SantoshKumari-bc1yy I do have a few videos on recruiting board members! I hope you were able to find them. :)

[@mosesgideon6852]

Thanks for the Good advice. I tried to raise money for the past 2 years but i failed up to date but the potential donors make me apply for grants even invite to they event out of the country I live in. I am InTouch with the potential donor but I am failing don't know what to do then said I must apply this but I don't feel like apply anymore.

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Are they able to help you write the grant application if you are struggling?

[@rockskipper5353]

So can i just make a video of what my goals are and make a patreon account .. Or do i need to start with paperwork and lawer stuff first

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

If you accept money without a tax exempt status, you'll be personally liable and have to pay taxes on that money. You also won't have the legal protection of the nonprofit status if something goes wrong. Finally, you'll need to be fully transparent with anyone who gives money that it is not a tax deductible donation. If you want to start a personal business (not a nonprofit) that's a different model that requires different paperwork.

[@gonzaloriverosamsing476]

Thanks You very much, Melanie. They content of your video is highly practical and inspiring. I am looking forward to putting your ideas to work in they Food Bank i'm León, Guanajuato, México where I collaborate with. Please Helo all of us with more Great contento! Gonzalo Rivero PS Is it possible fir You yo share success stories?

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks so much for the message Gonzalo! What kind of success stories are you looking for? Nonprofit startups in general or something more specific?

[@Andymacseo]

Do you have a podcast too?

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

I don't but you are not the first person to ask! Maybe I should look into it? I don't know much about doing podcasts...

[@Andymacseo]

@@AmberMelanieSmith anchor app. It's free and will put you on every podcast platform. You could just repurpose your youtube's.

[@daishanewsomednp6956]

What’s a donations website?

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Are you referring to me talking about a site / service that will help you manage donation transactions? Like Stripe / PayPal?

[@craigoverholt9678]

;) start in your area

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Yep!

[@dicksonimsongole9969]

I have my own organization but there is the problem of economy (fiscal) to manage it , please can you help me on how to get sponsors

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Definitely check out my video about how to get sponsorships in my Fundraising playlist!

[@HelloooThere]

I can’t get my board to put up a donate button on our website. They don’t believe we should have a donate button until after the programs start to gain credibility!? Are they right? Going cray cray!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Hello there :) For me, it's all about transparency. There's no reason not to put the button up there as long as you are honest with the public about A) whether you have your tax exempt status yet and B) that you're just getting started! Orgs do it all the time. And I think if someone is willing to donate, you should make it as easy as possible for them to do so :)

[@HelloooThere]

@@AmberMelanieSmith this is great and I will let them know! Thanks so much for your help!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

@@HelloooThere Awesome!

[@mwererobert3940]

Still struggling on how to raise money for my NGO

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

It's a challenge for sure!

[@jamiedaniels5650]

#ambermelaniesmith Thank you! Founder of Urban Reform Coalition Currently in Saint Louis Missouri, expanding soon! You have given some beneficial nuggets!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

I'm so glad to hear it!

[@BUYBLUESHOPPER]

Are you a fundraiser?

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

It's one of the many things I must do as Executive Director!

[@danielcitizenman5510]

🙏😇😎👍🇺🇸

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

:)

[@90MDaily]

Amber please explain how charity get money from ppl just walking / running

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Hi there! A common nonprofit fundraiser (in the USA at least - not sure about other parts of the world) is a Run or a Walk where people pay a donation / entry fee to participate. Sometimes it is a race and the first to finish get prizes. :)

[@nami_kt3168]

I'm trying to make a fundraiser for my mother to get her out of a rough neighbor

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Wishing you luck!

[@maximhollandnederlandthene7640]

Its not easy, all to find out the wheel again. I did volunteer to sell cookies for a charity organisation as a child but thats a long time ago. 😅

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

It takes practice!

[@demianan.kumoru]

Can you help me

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Hopefully the videos have been able to help! :)

[@ResidentIndia-yr8do]

I am shocked if beauties start raising funds no one will no. U looking Russian Spy

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

😮🕵

[@wanidev]

Hello @AmberMelenieSmith thanks so much for these great info, i lead a non-profit organisation in SOuth Sudan which we are in a cause to locally make reusable sanitary pads for underprevillage girls. and the info is awesome great to hear this anyone who could love to help in this cause in welcome

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

Thanks for sharing your mission!!

[@franklinmiamen1391]

Thanks!

[@AmberMelanieSmith]

You're welcome!