Hey Reader,

I get it.

If you’re not used to it, digital fundraising can feel like you’re standing at the base of a mountain trail, wondering if you've got what it takes to make it to the top.

A fundraiser I spoke with a couple of years ago felt exactly that way. She kept saying, "We're just not techie enough for online campaigns."

But every Giving Tuesday, she'd watch her colleagues from other nonprofits post online and succeed and think, “Maybe next year.”

Last year, was the year. She decided to try with one small thing.

She leaned into her organization’s Facebook Group, posting a simple story with a link to the donation page: no fancy graphics, no ads, and no huge expectations.

Guess what happened?

Donations trickled in. She followed up by sharing replies in the post and by the end of the week, her organization had raised more online than ever before through a couple of social media posts.

Her message wasn't perfect.

But it was real.

And that's what people responded to.

That fear didn't disappear overnight. But now? She's planning a full digital campaign for this year's Giving Tuesday.

Treat digital fundraising as a series of small, low-stakes experiments instead of one big, scary leap

You'll learn quickly.

Each post, each email, each little campaign teaches you something new.

Share what your audience cares about. Monitor what gets your donors to click, share, or give, and what doesn't.

Along the way, you build confidence without even realizing it.

Soon, digital fundraising stops feeling like a weird and mysterious thing that other people do. It starts feeling like a skill you're actually good at.

And it doesn't have to be a giant leap.

It can start with small steps, you know the kind that make digital fundraising feel less like a tech project and more like a relationship-building effort.

Because when you take small steps, a few powerful things start to happen:

✅ You start giving donors what they already expect: a smooth, trustworthy online experience.

✅ You begin inspiring supporters with stories that feel personal.

✅ You start to see your website not as a static page, but as a door that leads people closer to your organization.

✅ And bit by bit, that overwhelm fades because you're creating a simple, safe, welcoming space for donors to say "yes."

So if you're ready to take those first steps, here are 10 simple experiments that can elevate your donor's online experience and raise more revenue while you're at it:

1. Add a "Donate" button to every page of your website. Make it easy to give from anywhere on your website.
2. Include your donation link in your staff's email signature. Those daily emails quietly build visibility.
3. Add your mission and donation link to your out-of-office reply. An asset to inspire giving even when you're away.
4. Add a link to your donation page in your social media bios. Use a simple title like "Ways to Give to [Your Org Name]."
5. Feature an email sign-up on your website. Capture visitors interest and want to stay connected.
6. Ensure your website and donation form are mobile-friendly. If it's clunky on your phone, your donors will feel it too.
7. Keep your branding consistent. Use your logo, colours, and fonts on your donation page to show continuity and trust.
8. Add a short sentence that shows impact (e.g., "$50 provides three nights of shelter").
9. Send emails from a real person's name. It makes every message feel more personal and genuine.
10. Use a QR code on event name tags or signage. Make it super-simple to give in the moment.
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You don't have to overhaul everything overnight.

Just pick one thing from that list and give it a try.

Because every minor tweak is one more way you're building trust, inspiring generosity, and making giving easier for the people who already want to support you.

And the best part? Every experiment adds another layer to that digital foundation.

Start small. Stay curious.

And watch what happens when fear gives way to action.

Want to dig even deeper into online fundraising? Hit reply and we'll find a pathway for you and your organization.

Link 💜

Have you tried Perplexity AI yet? For me, it’s the quiet winner for nonprofits. They say it’s the Swiss Army Knife for information discovery and curiosity. It answers your questions, summarizes the content, and shares citations so you know where the information was sourced.

When you’re ready to take your next step in developing your digital skills, Scott Paley from Joan Garry Consulting shares four improvements you can make on your website to raise more revenue.

Ready to create your own donation landing page? Get the guide! It’s my secret to acquiring your next donor online. (paid product)