Fundraising Ideas and Photo Fundraiser Tips

When we first started building our portrait-based fundraising platform, we weren’t looking for a “course platform.”

We were looking for infrastructure.

We needed something that could:

• Power nonprofit websites

• Host campaign landing pages

• Automate donor follow-up

• Manage applications and intake forms

• Run email marketing

• Track affiliates

• Scale across multiple organizations

We didn’t need more tools.

We needed fewer moving parts.

After testing multiple setups,  including WordPress with plugins,  we ultimately chose Kajabi.

And years later, I would choose it again.

The Business Problem We Were Solving

Our fundraising model required more than a standard nonprofit website.

We needed:

• Individual campaign pages for multiple organizations

• Automated email follow-ups for donors and applicants

• Digital product delivery (guides, downloads, onboarding)

• Application funnels

• Event pages

• Affiliate tracking for partner photographers

• A backend system our internal team could man

  ...

Because no one wants to sell wrapping paper again.

Let’s be honest: most traditional fundraisers are exhausting. Bake sales, car washes, spaghetti dinners — they’re time-consuming, often unprofitable, and everyone’s done them a hundred times. You want results, not burnout.

So we’ve rounded up fundraiser ideas that don’t suck — the ones your donors actually want to participate in, your volunteers won’t dread, and that genuinely move the needle for your mission.

🚫 The Problem With Traditional Fundraising

Here’s the usual deal:

• Your volunteers spend weeks planning an event

• You buy supplies, print flyers, make social media posts

• A few people show up… and you raise just enough to cover expenses

Sound familiar?

It doesn’t have to be that way. Fundraising should feel energizing — not exhausting. Here are 7 ideas that actually work (plus a bonus one you’ve probably never tried).

1. Photo Fundraisers (Portraits with Purpose)

📸 Turn smiles into dollars

Donors book...

High-Impact Fundraisers (High ROI, Low Stress)

These ideas generate real money without draining your staff or volunteers.

1. Photo Fundraisers

📸 Best for: Schools, alumni clubs, local chapters, and donor-based nonprofits
Instead of selling popcorn or asking for pledges, offer donors a professional portrait session they’ll actually want. Donors give, then book a session at their convenience.
✅ No upfront costs
✅ No event hosting required
✅ Works nationally with local photographers

Tip: Try a partner like Vacanva that sets it all up for you.

2. Matching Gift Campaigns (Also Available on a Vacanva Campaign)

Work with local businesses or corporate partners to match every dollar donated. This doubles your donations while encouraging more people to give.

3. Text-to-Give Campaigns 

Make donating as easy as sending a text. These work especially well during events, virtual campaigns, or media appearances.

4. Peer-to-Peer Fundraising 

Turn your supporters into your best fundraisers. Give them ...