Essential Fundraising Strategies for 2025: How to Diversify and Sustain Your Nonprofit’s Revenue Streams
- Mara Daniele
- Mar 12
- 6 min read
In 2025, the most successful nonprofits will be those that have diversified their revenue streams. The events of the past few years have irrevocably altered how organizations think about sustainability, engagement, and capital. As we are now settling into 2025, the old models of relying on a single revenue stream are no longer viable. To weather future storms and maintain meaningful impact, nonprofits must embrace new nonprofit fundraising strategies in 2025 that are resilient while staying aligned with their mission.
At Working Within, we understand the delicate balance between financial stability and mission-driven work. Our commitment to helping nonprofit leaders access capital is rooted in the belief that financial sustainability requires fostering relationships, building trust, and creating a robust ecosystem of support. As the landscape shifts, organizations must be agile and able to respond to change without losing sight of their core values.
Organizations that rely solely on grants, fundraising events, or one-time donations are at risk of stagnation. A diversified revenue model ensures that a shift in donor behavior or a downturn in funding doesn’t jeopardize an organization’s core operations. Think of it like building a solid foundation for a house. When you have stable ground, there’s a less likely chance that the house built on it will crumble.
Faith-driven nonprofits, in particular, face the challenge of securing sustainable revenue while remaining true to their mission.
The communities you serve are often those with the least financial resources. Yet, these organizations must also be among the most innovative in their approach to revenue generation. This means that in 2025, thinking beyond traditional models and exploring new pathways for financial growth will be what sets you apart.
Read our Blueprint for Building Sustainable Revenue Streams
The question on every nonprofit leader’s mind is this: How can we diversify our revenue streams without compromising our mission or values? The answer lies in developing multiple, complementary sources of income that align with the organization’s work. Here are a few strategies that are critical to ensuring your nonprofit’s financial resilience.
Ask Current Funders for Help
Treat your funders like your customers. Check in with them regularly. Ask them what you could do better. Ask them what opportunities they have coming up, including opportunities to access more capital or general operating dollars. They might even refer you elsewhere, which is still a win.
Check on the Friendly Business Next Door
Corporate partnerships are a vital component of a diversified revenue strategy. By aligning with businesses that share your values or who share your target customer, nonprofits can access both financial support and a new network of donors. In a world increasingly driven by corporate social responsibility, businesses are looking for social impact partners that serve their bottom line and contribute meaningfully to their community. The right partnership can yield sponsorships, employee giving programs, in-kind donations, and even pro-bono services, all of which help strengthen your financial foundation.
If you can guarantee that you can put a business in front of their intended audience, you’re a product placement match made in heaven, and you can earn some unrestricted dollars in the process.
Services like Lighthouse are a great resource for businesses looking to engage in these partnerships, turning unused assets into valuable support for nonprofits.
Figure out Where You Can Save
Collaborating with other nonprofits on shared initiatives can be a game-changer when it comes to maximizing resources. By coming together to apply for funding, you can pool your efforts, reducing the administrative burden and increasing your chances of success. Leveraging each other’s networks helps you expand your reach, while sharing costs ensures that no one organization carries the full financial load. This type of partnership also helps strengthen your collective impact in the community. By working together, you can create more sustainable programs with greater efficiency, allowing each organization to focus on what they do best while sharing the rewards.
Consider Donor Campaigns Focused on Longevity Rather than Repetition
Major donors remain an essential part of nonprofit revenue, but they require a more tailored approach. In 2025, nonprofits must move beyond mass solicitation and embrace personalized strategies to engage major donors. High-net-worth individuals are looking for causes that resonate with their values and goals, and are looking to give to an organization where their money will make a difference, where they won’t have to give consistently to keep the organization alive. Cultivating these relationships requires deep listening, thoughtful communication, and a compelling vision of the future that aligns with the donor’s philanthropic interests
Lookout for Paid Fellowships
Exploring paid fellowships can elevate your fundraising by providing a stipend, increasing its visibility, attracting new donors and partners. Some good examples are:
18-Month, part-time
$25,000
12-month hybrid program
$10,000
3 Years
$100,000
Multi-year (up to 3 years)
Tailored stipend
12-Months
$5,000
Position Yourself For Impact Investment
A Program-Related Investment is an impact investment made by a foundation or philanthropic organization to support a nonprofit or mission-driven enterprise, typically with a 2-5% return on investment. PRIs are ideal for new or growing initiatives that aim to generate both revenue and social impact. Nonprofits with the capacity for revenue generation alongside their mission are well positioned for PRIs. For organizations to successfully access this funding, it’s essential to consider several key factors including legal structure, financial forecasting, impact measurement, ROI clarification, and a clear exit strategy. Defining revenue streams, understanding cost structure, and considering a designated B Corp can enhance the appeal to your organization to investors.
Resources like Impact Charitable and Staro Insights can help you understand and position your nonprofit to attract these types of investments. SVP Denver offers specialized impact investment guidance, helping nonprofits understand and leverage PRIs to advance their initiatives.
Consider Leveraging Your Organization’s Growth with Low-Cost Nonprofit Loans
Nonprofit loans, when used strategically, can be a powerful tool to support your organization’s growth and expansion. Organizations can access low-cost loans through resources like the Nonprofit Finance Fund. However, it’s important to approach loans with caution. Debt should only be used for growth-focused initiatives. Using loans for working capital, or to cover operational shortfalls, can put your nonprofit in a cycle of debt that limits your ability to innovate or build financial resilience. Make sure that any loan aligns with your growth strategy and is used in ways that will generate a return on investment.
Monetize Your Mission-Driven Activities
Nonprofits can also explore earned income strategies by offering mission-aligned products or services. Whether it’s a paid training program, workshops, or other services, earned income models allow organizations to generate revenue while fulfilling their core mission. Another powerful way to generate revenue is by responding to mission-aligned Requests for Proposals, which can open doors to new contracts and funding opportunities. By carefully considering your nonprofit’s strengths and the needs of your community, you can recreate products or services that support your mission and fund it at the same time.
Invest in Help
Investing in expert support like through consultants, specialized services, or additional staff, can provide the guidance and resources needed to drive your nonprofit’s growth. With the right help, you can refine strategies, enhance operations, and scale your impact more efficiently.
At Working Within, we provide nonprofit leaders with the tools and support they need to thrive in this evolving landscape. Our services are designed to help organizations diversify their revenue streams and sustain them over time. Here’s how we can help:
Our Fundraising Coaching program provides tailored guidance to help nonprofits refine their strategies, optimize donor engagement, and identify new revenue opportunities. With bi-monthly coaching sessions and on-demand support, we offer hands-on expertise that drives results.
Price: $1,500/month | Duration: 90-day commitment, then month-to-month
For organizations in need of rapid transformation, our Fundraising Accelerator is a high-impact, results-driven program designed to create a 12-month strategy in just 90 days. From grant prospecting to donor engagement, we help nonprofits build a fundraising roadmap that will deliver sustainable growth.
Price: $5,000 | Duration: 90 days
For organizations looking to establish a strong foundation, our Fundraising Toolkit offers a comprehensive package of strategic frameworks, fundraising materials, and a compelling grant prospectus. This toolkit ensures you have the right resources to launch a successful fundraising campaign and build long-term sustainability.
Price: $30,000 | Duration: 6 months
The Future of Fundraising
The challenges of 2025 require bold thinking and innovative strategies. As nonprofits strive to create lasting change, they must evolve to meet the needs of a shifting landscape. Diversification of how and where you’re getting your funding is a necessity in today’s landscape. By embracing a multifaceted approach to fundraising, nonprofits can secure their future and continue to serve their communities with impact and purpose.
At Working Within, we are committed to helping you build the financial sustainability your organization needs. Reach out today to learn how our strategic services can help you diversify, sustain, and grow your nonprofit’s revenue streams.
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