10 Reasons Nonprofits Struggle With Reach, Engagement, and Fundraising

Nonprofits do incredible work every single day, but even the most mission-driven organizations can struggle to get the word out. For nonprofit organizations with long-term sustainability goals , a strong communications and marketing plan isn’t just a “nice to have”.  It’s the key to raising awareness, building trust, and driving donations.

Here are ten of the most common mistakes nonprofits make in their communications and marketing efforts, and how your organization can avoid them.

1. Not Connecting Communications and Marketing to Fundraising

Your marketing plan should never exist in a silo. Every email, social post, and press mention should point back to your organization’s larger goals, such as annual fundraising goals and service benchmarks.. When communications aren’t aligned with specific and measurable goals, you risk missing opportunities to find new supporters and donors. 

2. Using Little to No Video Content

Video is one of the most engaging ways to connect with your audience. While it may take more effort (and sometimes more budget), it’s worth it. Donors and supporters are more likely to stop, watch, and share a video than read a long post. Think testimonials, behind-the-scenes clips, or a quick thank-you message.

3. Relying on an Outdated Website

Your website is your digital front door. If it looks outdated, cluttered, or hard to navigate, potential donors may click away before learning about your mission. Keep your site clean, modern, and easy to use. A well-designed site and yearly website audits will make your nonprofit look credible and inviting online.

4. Not Accepting Digital Donations

People want to give in ways that are convenient for them. If you only accept checks or cash, you’re shutting out a huge portion of potential donors. 

We recommend using a donor relationship manager with payment processing capabilities, like Zeffy or GiveButter, to accept online donations securely. 

Please note: Digital donations do not replace traditional donation methods. We recommend keeping traditional donation methods available. The more options, the better.

5. Ignoring Recurring Donations

Think about how many people pay for Netflix or Amazon Prime without even thinking about it. That same “set it and forget it” mindset applies to donations. Offering recurring giving options makes it easier for supporters to give smaller, consistent amounts over time, which often adds up to more than one-time gifts.

6. Not Using a CRM/DRM with Marketing Capabilities

Donor relationship management (DRM) tools are a nonprofit’s best friend. They help you track contact info, donation history, and preferred communication channels, so you can stay connected in meaningful ways. 

Every nonprofit organization should research and select a DRM that aligns with their budget AND communications needs. Many DRMs, like GiveButter, are equipped with email marketing and website integration tools that make it easy to stay in contact with your supporters while also providing you with valuable marketing analytics. 

7. Failing to Segment Audiences

Not all supporters are the same. Some are volunteers. Some are donors. Others might just love attending your events. Segmenting your audience helps you send the right message to the right people at the right time—boosting engagement and reducing unsubscribes.

8. Publishing Inconsistently

Your supporters can’t stay connected if they don’t hear from you. Consistency is key. At a minimum, aim for:

• Email: 1–2 times per week

• Social Media: 3+ times per week

• Articles: 2+ times per month

• Press Mentions: 1+ times per quarter 

• Postal Mail: as needed

• Events: annually

Feeling too overwhelmed to stay consistent? You don’t have to do it all by yourself. Chat with us to create a plan to stay consistent without sacrificing your sanity. 

9. Skipping the Review of Marketing Results

If you’re not looking at your analytics, you’re essentially marketing in the dark. Reviewing audience demographics, website traffic, and social media engagement will show you what’s working and what’s not. Keeping a close eye on your marketing data helps you to spend time, money, and resources wisely.

10. Operating Without a Brand Guide

A brand guide is a set of rules for how your nonprofit shows up visually and verbally in the world: colors, fonts, taglines, approved imagery, and more. 

When you operate without a brand guide, your organization will struggle with lengthy design approval times, inconsistent design styles, and generic messaging. 

Consistency builds recognition—and recognition builds trust.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, effective nonprofit marketing isn’t about flashy campaigns or big budgets. It’s about clarity, consistency, and connection. 

Avoiding these common mistakes will help your organization reach more people, inspire more action, and ultimately make a bigger impact.