Everyone Can Be a Philanthropist

Think only large nonprofit donations can help keep your organization afloat? Don’t underestimate the power of small gifts.

Small Nonprofit Donations Add Up

Fundraising campaigns don’t necessarily need massive donations from wealthy supporters in order to be successful. For example, consider Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. His campaign saw massive success despite only asking his supporters for small donations. In fact, about 62% of the over $210 million Sanders raised came from people giving less than $200.

While many assumed that Sanders could not compete with the fundraising efforts of his fellow Presidential candidates by avoiding large donations from the wealthy, he eventually out-fundraised them all.

Small Nonprofit Donations Add Up

Political campaigns are not the only groups proving that small gifts add up. While checking out at a store’s cash register, have you ever been asked to round up your bill and put the spare change toward a charitable cause? This is becoming increasingly common, and the simple concept brings about significant results. According to Cause Marketing Forum:

71% of people surveyed have made nonprofit donations at the cash register while shopping.

55% of people in the U.S. reported that they enjoyed giving to charity at the register.

In 2014, a group of 77 initiatives raised more than $388 million in cash register donations.

No gift is too small. In one year, supporters who dropped spare coins into donation bins for Ronald McDonald House Charities helped raise a total of over $54 million. How much more could your organization raise by following in their footsteps?

How To Capitalize On Small Donations

One of the biggest mistakes your organization can make is to write off donors who can only afford to give in small doses. Never forget the impact their nonprofit donations can have in the long run.

Collect spare change. Team up with a local store to raise money at the register. Allow supporters to give any amount — however small — and make donations from anywhere, at any time by using a mobile giving app. Drive donations throughout the year by reaching out to your members on social media and email newsletters, encouraging them to give as much as they are able.

Emphasize to your supporters that they do not have to break the bank in order to support your organization’s efforts. Even a tiny gift will go a long way toward reaching your goals. You just may be surprised how far those small donations can go.