First, a quick statistic: 90 to 95% of a Nonprofit’s budget usually comes from 5 to 10% of its donors. This figure is different for new and emerging Nonprofits, but it holds true for more established Nonprofits.

So, if you’re a volunteer-led Nonprofit like a PTA you might rely on a lot of small donations and a few events like yard sales or a school carnival for most of your budget. And if you’ve got a full time fundraiser on your staff and have been around for a few years, chances are 90% of your budget will come from 10% of your donors.

Many small and new Nonprofits use events to raise money. This helps build the Nonprofit’s donor base, and then allows the Nonprofit to continue communicating with donors and soliciting them outside of events as part of an annual or year end fundraising campaign.

Mature and more established Nonprofits also use events to raise money and bring new donors into the Nonprofit. You’re 6 times more likely to receive a gift from a past donor than a prospect, but Nonprofits must find new ways to attract and secure new donors. Events are a great way to do this. One of the best fundraising ideas is to always be building your list of prospective new donors

Another method used to identify and possibly secure new donors is by asking existing donors one simple question:  Who else should we be talking to? You’ll be amazed how helpful donors will be in suggesting prospects to you and possibly even making introductions to them on behalf of your Nonprofit.

But when you move past bake sales, car washes, and school carnivals you’ll find the best fundraising idea is building a major gifts program. While all gifts are significant, your Nonprofit only has so much time and resources for fundraising, so you need to go where the money is, i.e the 10% of donors that give 90% of your fundraising revenue.