Searching for a option to revolutionize your nonprofit’s fundraising technique? We’ve received the reply for you – a web based retailer. Promoting nonprofit merchandise in a web based retailer not solely revitalizes your group’s fundraising method, but in addition expands your attain, captivates your supporters, and ensures a sustained affect all year long.

This step-by-step information has the whole lot you should launch and run a profitable on-line retailer in your nonprofit. We’ll cowl the whole lot from doable advantages, to the right way to arrange your retailer, and even go over some finest practices for retailer promotion. Collectively, we will unlock the complete potential of e-commerce in your trigger. 

Able to get began? Let’s soar proper in!

On this submit we’ll cowl:

Advantages of Nonprofit On-line Shops

When expertise and neighborhood be a part of forces, they create lasting affect. Nonprofit on-line shops are a major instance of this collaboration – expertise and neighborhood working collectively easily and successfully. Having a web based retailer can revolutionize the sport for nonprofits and supply a flexible method to fundraising. 

Past being a transactional area, on-line shops function a strategic avenue so that you can amplify your presence and propel your group in the direction of reaching lasting and significant change. 

Advantages for Nonprofit On-line Shops Embrace:

World Attain: Having a web based presence permits your nonprofit to achieve a wider viewers. This extends your affect past your native communities and doubtlessly attracts new supporters globally.

Model Visibility and Recognition: Branded merchandise serves as a strolling commercial in your nonprofit. When supporters showcase and put on your gadgets, they improve your model visibility and recognition.

Neighborhood Engagement: Promoting merchandise in your nonprofit in a web based retailer fosters a direct connection between you and your supporters. This nurtures a way of neighborhood engagement.

Donor Incentives: Merchandise could be a compelling incentive for donors – encouraging contributions and providing a tangible option to acknowledge their assist.

Knowledge Insights: On-line gross sales give you essential details about supporter preferences and shopping for habits. This helps you alter your merchandise and advertising methods accordingly.

Steady Fundraising: Not like one-time occasions, a web based retailer operates constantly, offering a constant avenue for fundraising efforts with out being tied to particular dates or areas. Your on-line retailer can at all times be energetic!

Integrating Your On-line Retailer into Your Fundraising Technique

On the subject of incorporating a web based retailer into your fundraising technique, the excellent news is that it doesn’t necessitate an entire overhaul of your present method. This course of is extra about strategic integration than a radical transformation.

By strategically introducing your on-line retailer into your present fundraising initiatives, you’ll be able to faucet into a spread of advantages that stretch past conventional strategies.

The right way to Combine Your Nonprofit On-line Retailer Into Your Technique:

Strategic Merchandise Choice: Select merchandise that aligns together with your nonprofit’s mission and resonates together with your audience. If you supply gadgets that mirror your group’s established values and goal, you safe a stronger connection together with your supporters.

Themed Campaigns: Hyperlink campaigns in your on-line retailer to particular occasions, milestones, or causes. Design merchandise that mirrors the theme, fostering a way of neighborhood and shared goal.

Collaborations and Partnerships: Make the most of collaborations with artists, influencers, or different organizations to co-create and promote unique merchandise. Tasks like these increase your attain and convey recent views to your merchandise choice.

Incorporate Storytelling: Embrace features of storytelling in your product descriptions and advertising supplies. Share the affect of every buy, connecting the merchandise to your mission and the distinction it makes.

Selecting the Greatest Platform for Your On-line Retailer

Choosing the precise platform in your nonprofit’s on-line retailer is pivotal for achievement. This alternative is greater than a technical choice—it’s a strategic transfer that immediately influences the effectiveness of your fundraising initiatives, person expertise, and total engagement together with your neighborhood of supporters. 

The platform you select turns into the spine of your fundraising efforts, impacting integration capabilities and, finally, contributing to the achievement of your group’s mission.

What to Take into account When Selecting a Platform:

Ease of Use: It’s essential to discover a platform with a user-friendly interface that makes it simple for each directors and clients to navigate.

Value Construction: Perceive the platform’s pricing mannequin – together with transaction charges, subscription prices, and any extra prices. Select an answer that aligns together with your funds and monetary objectives.

Bonfire Prices: Bonfire’s platform is free to make use of and requires no upfront prices! Bonfire is a wonderful alternative for nonprofits, identical to you, who’re on the lookout for cost-friendly on-line retailer platforms! 

Integration Capabilities: Make certain the platform you select works nicely together with your present techniques – like fee choices, accounting software program, and buyer relationship administration instruments.

Bonfire Integrations: Bonfire gives a YouTube Merch Shelf integration that allows you to promote merch immediately in your YouTube channel and a Linktree integration that allows you to add your retailer and merchandise immediately in your profile.

Bonfire makes it simple to launch peer-to-peer t-shirt fundraisers through our Giving Campaigns. Our integrations with leading platforms like Classy and BlackBaud TeamRaiser ensure seamless p2p t-shirt fundraisers for your organization. Opting for a versatile merch platform sets your organization up for both current and future success.

Customization Options: Look for platforms that allow you to customize your online store. That way you can make sure your store aligns with your nonprofit’s branding and mission. 

Customer Support: Evaluate the level of customer support provided by the platform. Responsive and accessible support can be crucial for troubleshooting issues and ensuring smooth operations.

Analytics and Reporting: Opt for platforms that offer robust analytics and reporting tools. These insights can help you understand customer behavior, track sales, and refine your strategy.

Nonprofit Features on Bonfire: Bonfire offers a full suite of features that were designed specifically to help nonprofits raise more money and connect with their community through custom apparel.

Reduced Donation Fees on Bonfire: Once your nonprofit is verified on Bonfire, all of your processing fees are significantly reduced from 8% to 3.5%.

Bonfire Verified Nonprofit Badge: A green heart with a checkmark will appear next to your org name on your org page and campaign page. This is a symbol of trust that lets your supporters know their money will directly benefit your organization.

Customizable Organization Profile Pages on Bonfire: Your organization’s official profile page is your nonprofit’s home to tell your story, highlight active campaigns, and show off your fundraising stats.

Downloadable Supporter List on Bonfire: You have the option to effortlessly export the contact details of your supporters from all your connected campaigns – in a user-friendly .CSV format.

Payment Options: Make sure the platform you choose offers a variety of payment options for your supporters.

Deciding What Products to Sell

The products you choose to sell in your nonprofit’s online store go beyond just making sales. When you choose the right products, you ensure financial sustainability and help to shape the overall identity of your nonprofit. Think of your merchandise as a way to tell your story – this strengthens the emotional connection between your cause and your community. 

Things to Consider When Deciding What Products to Sell:

Relevance to Mission: Choose products that directly align with your nonprofit’s mission and values. This reinforces your organization’s identity and resonates with your supporters.

Target Audience: Understand your target audience and their preferences. Select products that appeal to your supporters and foster a stronger connection with your cause.

Quality and Sustainability: Prioritize high-quality products that reflect positively on your organization. Additionally, consider sustainable and eco-friendly options to align with contemporary values.

Costs and Profit Margins: Evaluate the production and procurement costs of the products to ensure a reasonable profit margin. This ensures that your online store contributes meaningfully to your fundraising efforts.

Practicality and Usability: Choose products that your supporters will find practical and usable in their everyday lives. This increases the likelihood of repeat purchases and ongoing support.

Pricing Your Products

It’s important to be intentional with how you price your products. You want to make sure your prices are accessible to your target market, while still covering your costs. 

This approach transforms transactions into meaningful contributions, reinforcing financial sustainability and fostering lasting connections with your community.

What to Think About When Pricing Your Products:

Fundraising Goals: Consider your organization’s fundraising goals and precisely calculate the revenue required from merchandise sales to support your programs and initiatives. Clearly articulate how merchandise sales align with and contribute to your fundraising strategy.

Transparency: Clearly inform donors how their purchase contributes to your nonprofit’s mission and provide regular updates on how the proceeds make a positive impact.

Market Research: Research the market price range for similar merchandise to understand your target audience’s pricing expectations.

Feedback from Supporters: Collect supporter feedback on pricing to gain valuable insights into their perceived value and willingness to pay.

Setting Up Your Online Store

Building your nonprofit online store on Bonfire is super easy. Once you have a Bonfire account, you can select the Store tab on the dashboard to begin! You’ll be prompted to name your store (we recommend using your org name to keep things consistent). You can change your store name at any time.

Next, you’ll be able to add merch campaigns (minimum of 1 and a maximum of 50 campaigns) and customize the look of your store. Once you’ve got everything set, all you have to do is hit Publish and your store will be LIVE! If it sounds too good to be true, let us assure you – it’s too good AND it’s true! We told you it was easy! 

Helpful Resources:
Create a Store
Manage Campaigns in Your Store
Change Store Settings
How to Create and Customize an Online Merch Store With Bonfire

Now that you have your nonprofit online store up and running – it’s time to promote it to your community! Effectively promoting your online store helps drive visibility and encourages supporters to contribute. Strategic promotion not only boosts sales, but also broadens your audience, fostering long-term relationships with those aligned with your mission. 

Ways to Promote Your Online Store:

Post on Social Media: Use relevant social media platforms to showcase your products. Engage your audience with impactful visuals – including photos and videos. It’s also a great idea to re-share user-generated content as a way of promoting your merchandise! 

Website Integration: Feature your online store prominently on your website. You want to make it as easy as possible for visitors to explore and learn about your merchandise.

Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with influencers, both within and outside the nonprofit sector, to extend your reach. Influencers can help promote your products to their followers, generating more interest.

Run Promotions and Campaigns: Create promotions or campaigns tied to specific events, holidays, or milestones. Limited-time offers or exclusive items can drive urgency and boost sales.

Create Compelling Content: Develop compelling and shareable content about your online store and the impact of purchases. This could include success stories, behind-the-scenes footage, or interviews with beneficiaries.

Utilize Paid Advertising: Consider using paid advertising on social media platforms or other relevant channels to reach a broader audience. Target your ads to specific demographics or interests.

Highlight Impact: Emphasize the impact of purchases. Clearly communicate how funds raised through the online store contribute to your nonprofit’s mission. Your supporters will appreciate knowing how their purchases contributed to positive change. 

Exploring online stores can offer a world of benefits for your nonprofit. Following this guide lets you diversify revenue, engage a wider audience, and strengthen your community ties. Gear up to transform your nonprofit’s future – launch that online store and unleash the power of digital impact, today!

Written by: Hayden Ireland / Content Specialist
Illustrated by: Madison Summers / Lead Marketing Designer