How to raise money for a nonprofit (fast & effectively)

Fundraising strategies often call for patience, but what happens when you need support right now? When an unexpected challenge hits, the last thing you want is to wonder how you’ll hit your goal. You need a clear, proven path forward.

With the right strategy and tools, you can go from “we need funds now” to “we’re fully funded” faster than you think.

In this guide, you’ll learn the most effective ways to raise money for a nonprofit when time (and resources) are limited. Plus, you’ll get a step-by-step playbook you can put into action today.

Key takeaways

• Set a clear goal and urgent need 🎯 Give supporters a specific reason to act and a realistic target to rally around.
• Choose fast-moving tactics 💨 Digital appeals, peer-to-peer fundraising, and social sharing help bring in donations quickly.
• Start with your warmest supporters 👋 Your existing community is your quickest path to early momentum and broader reach.
• Make giving easy 💳 Offer multiple payment methods and a simple checkout to convert more donors.
• Amplify your reach across channels 📣 Promote your campaign through social, email, text, and other channels to maximize visibility and momentum.
• Use Givebutter to launch faster ⚡ Build donation pages, accept more payment methods, and manage your entire campaign in one free, donor-friendly platform.

How to raise money fast (7-step playbook)

Your nonprofit needs to bring in funds fast, and your annual fundraising plan hasn’t reached its goal yet. Here’s how to raise money quickly when you don’t have time to wait for your relationship-building efforts to mature.

Step 1: Get clear on your urgent need and goal 🎯

Are you raising funds for an urgent repair or to support a community cleanup after a natural disaster? 

Set a realistic fundraising goal and timeline. Can you raise $15K in a month, or is $7K more likely based on your past fundraisers? If you have a more ambitious goal, are there voices in your community that can amplify your campaign to reach new major donors? 

Before you move forward, make sure you have: 

• A solid understanding of your urgent need
• A realistic (or slightly challenging) fundraising goal
• A clear statement explaining why you need funds now
• An idea of the resources you’ll need to launch a campaign

Freebie alert!

Download your free Raise $1K in 30 days guide for a day-by-day action plan →

Step 2: Tell a compelling story that moves people to act 💛

Once you’ve determined your most pressing need and a realistic goal, it’s time to work on your story. You need a message that motivates supporters to give quickly so that you can meet your goal by the deadline.

Ask yourself why your audience should care about this urgent need. What does it mean to them? Do they have a connection to the situation or community? Look for ways to position supporters as the hero of the story.

A narrative is much more compelling if you can enhance it with facts or media, like: 

• Quotes from affected people or communities
• Photos, videos, and audio clips
• First-person accounts
• Statistics and reports
• Evidence of previous results

💪 Pro tip: Prioritize crafting a story that compels supporters to take action, then repurpose it into multiple assets, such as social media graphics and short videos, for greater impact. 

Dive deeper

Discover how to start a fundraiser that brings in new supporters →

Step 3: Launch a donation page that converts in minutes 💻

When the goal is to raise funds quickly, optimizing your donation page is essential. Design a fundraising page that’s clear, engaging, and built for donor conversion.

A winning donation page often includes: 

• Story-driven content
• Engaging visuals
• A clear and compelling CTA to give
• Custom donation tiers
• A real-time progress bar
• Campaign updates
• A built-in donation form with preset giving amounts and recurring donation options

💪 Pro tip: Givebutter’s donation forms give your donors a simple way to support the cause they care about, with no unnecessary distractions or complications.

Get inspired

Check out this easy donation page setup guide and examples →

Step 4: Make giving ridiculously easy 💳

Boost your chances of converting interest into funds with a fundraising platform that provides multiple payment options and a seamless checkout experience.

Givebutter offers a wide range of payment processing methods, including popular digital wallets, credit/debit cards, text-to-donate, scan-to-donate, and more. Combine these with our simple donation form, and you have a setup that makes giving effortless.

Step 5: Promote across channels 📣

You need to get your campaign noticed by the broadest audience of potential donors. Use a variety of channels to amplify your voice and spread the word. Consider a combination of: 

• Social media
• Email marketing
• Text messaging
• Direct mail
• Digital advertising

🧠 Did you know? 43% of people participate in charitable events in their community because they saw it promoted on social media. Make sure you include your go-to social channels in your nonprofit marketing plan.

Freebie alert!

Download your free rapid response outreach templates for emergency fundraising →

Step 6: Activate your community 👋

One of the most effective ways to raise money quickly is by tapping into your supporters’ networks. Popular ways for your community to amplify your message include:

• Social media share buttons and challenges
• Peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns
• Digital communities
• User-generated content (UGC) campaigns
• Team fundraising pages
• Volunteer programs
• Employer gift matching programs

💪 Pro tip: Social campaigns are always more successful when you can empower your supporters with resources. Share campaign materials, images, and tips on how to create an engaging fundraising page.

Step 7: Follow up fast (thank, update, repeat) 🙌

You’ve poured your heart into securing those much-needed donations, but there’s one last task—to thank your donors and bring them into your ecosystem.

Express gratitude immediately following a donation with an automated receipt. You can also send a follow-up note that provides more information about your organization and the impact of their contribution.

Regularly engage with donors to make them feel appreciated and more inclined to give again. Here’s how:

• Mail a personalized thank-you letter
• Schedule a call to get to know them
• Send a monthly newsletter expressing gratitude to supporters
• Provide progress updates on a project they helped fund
• Share a program impact report
• Invite them to a VIP community
• Host an exclusive event

Intentional donor appreciation increases the likelihood of recurring or major giving. Caring for your donors now builds the long-term, sustainable support your mission depends on.

Learn more

Get the full guide to nonprofit fundraising for small but mighty teams →

Tried & true ways to raise money for a cause

Below are the most common fundraising approaches and how quickly they can deliver results. Understanding the full landscape helps you choose the right mix for your timeline, whether you need donations today, this month, or this quarter.

Online fundraising  💻

Online giving is one of the most effective ways to raise support for your cause. Online fundraising methods include donation forms, fundraising pages, and crowdfunding campaigns.

⏳ Speed: Launch in minutes; donations can start same day

⭐ Best for: Getting quick donor responses with minimal lift

💡 Good to know: Payouts typically take 1–3 business days, depending on your processor

Get inspired

Discover 70+ online fundraising ideas to reach more people →

Peer-to-peer & social sharing 👋

Peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns can be hugely successful if you have a loyal and engaged audience willing to put boots on the ground for your cause. Combined with easy social sharing (like Givebutter’s Meta fundraising integration), your supporters can drive real impact in a short amount of time.

⏳ Speed: Can gain momentum within days; full results unfold over 1–3 weeks

⭐ Best for: Nonprofits with a strong and active donor base

💡 Good to know: Success depends heavily on how quickly advocates activate

Events (virtual, in-person, hybrid) 🎉

With so many different types of fundraising events, there’s something for every nonprofit and its supporters. Host a livestream, hybrid auction, or gala event—the choice is yours, and the right tools make the entire process smoother.

⏳ Speed: Requires weeks (sometimes months) to plan; not suited for urgent needs

⭐ Best for: Raising money in the coming weeks or months while boosting engagement

💡 Good to know: First-time events usually take longer to reach a strong ROI

Get inspired

Check out 60+ unforgettable fundraising event ideas →

Corporate support 🏢

Large corporations and local businesses can be a significant asset to your fundraising efforts, often providing either monetary contributions or in-kind support. Other common ways companies give back to nonprofit organizations include corporate sponsorships, matching donations, and volunteer programs.

⏳ Speed: Relationship-dependent; warm contacts can convert within weeks

⭐ Best for: Short- to mid-term revenue

💡 Good to know: Cold outreach typically requires longer nurturing

Earned revenue & membership models 💳

Membership models provide a sustainable revenue stream, eliminating the worry of where the next contribution will come from. Sports clubs, community organizations, and other groups establish membership programs to raise funds from their beneficiaries, then utilize those funds to enhance their experience and make a positive impact.

⏳ Speed: Quick to launch if you have an existing community; revenue builds steadily

⭐ Best for: Reliable, predictable income without constant campaigning

💡 Good to know: Growth compounds over time rather than immediately

Grants & institutional funding 📝

Funds from grant-giving organizations and institutions are in high demand, but with a tailored and passionate application, you could benefit from a substantial donation. Receiving grant funding is all about identifying the right opportunities, writing a winning grant proposal, and nurturing relationships over time.

⏳ Speed: Long timeline; expect months between application and award

⭐ Best for: Securing larger funding later this quarter or beyond

💡 Good to know: Best paired with fast-acting tactics when money is needed now

Get inspired

Explore even more fundraising ideas for nonprofits →

Start raising money faster with Givebutter

With the right story, the right supporters, and the right channels, your nonprofit can build momentum and turn urgency into results. The strategies in this guide give you a clear, proven path forward so you can fundraise with confidence.

When you need to raise money fast, you need a platform that helps you get up and running in minutes, not days. 

Givebutter makes it easy to launch a high-converting campaign right away. Create a compelling fundraising page, add custom donation tiers, and enable multiple payment options, such as Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App, for seamless giving. You can also activate peer-to-peer fundraising, turn on text-to-donate, or embed a donation form directly on your website to meet donors wherever they are.

With everything in one place, Givebutter helps you move fast, reach more people, and make giving easier than ever.

Sign up for Givebutter for free today to start your best fundraising campaign yet.

FAQs about how to raise money for charity

What is the fastest way to raise money?

The fastest way to raise money is to start with the people who already know and trust your organization. Share a clear, urgent need and a specific goal, then ask your core supporters to donate or share your campaign with others. 

Board members, volunteers, existing donors, and local partners can help you build quick momentum by promoting your fundraiser within their own networks.

How do I raise money for a nonprofit online?

Raising money online is most effective when you combine a compelling story with simple, donor-friendly tools. Most nonprofits start with a fundraising page or donation form, add peer-to-peer fundraising to expand their reach, and share updates through email and social media. 

You can also use Givebutter to embed a donate button or widget on your website, which helps supporters give without ever leaving your page.

How do I raise money with little or no budget?

If you’re working with a tiny budget, focus on personal outreach and simple, low-lift activities. Ask friends, family, board members, and early supporters to give, and use free or low-cost fundraising tools. Platforms like Givebutter enable nonprofits to launch campaigns and collect donations without upfront costs, making it easier to start fundraising quickly.

What’s the best site to raise money for a cause? 

Givebutter is one of the best sites to raise money for a cause—especially if you need to move fast. With $0 in platform or processing fees, built-in rewards, and everything nonprofits need in one place, Givebutter makes it easy to launch a high-converting fundraiser and start raising money right away.

How can I fundraise $25K for my organization?

You can raise $25K fastest by focusing on the supporters who already know and trust your work. Start with a clear, time-bound goal and make direct outreach, then layer in a peer-to-peer campaign so your strongest supporters can tap into their own networks. Corporate sponsors and grants can be helpful, but they typically require more time to secure, so prioritize building warm relationships first. 

Givebutter makes this easier by letting you launch one campaign with P2P pages, donor updates, and multiple payment methods all in one place.