What You Have to Know About On-line Shops for Nonprofits

Do you know that of consumers who obtain branded merchandise from companies and different organizations, 80% are extra seemingly to suggest the model to others? Your nonprofit may unlock related advantages by promoting merchandise to its supporters. However to do that successfully, you want a web-based retailer. 

Promoting nonprofit merchandise will revitalize your group’s fundraisers, broaden your attain, captivate your supporters, and supply sustained influence all year long. This step-by-step information has all the things it is advisable launch and run a profitable on-line retailer on your nonprofit:

Sure, nonprofits can promote services and products. These services and products should generate income to help your work and ought to be associated to your mission. Moreover, make sure the objects resonate together with your target market to spice up gross sales.

Be taught extra: Whereas promoting merchandise is a good way to lift extra on your mission, there are some authorized and tax concerns to bear in mind.

1. International attain: A web based presence permits your nonprofit to succeed in a wider viewers. This extends your influence past your area people and might entice new supporters globally.
2. Model visibility and recognition: Branded merchandise—notably attire—is a strolling commercial on your nonprofit. When supporters put on your objects, they improve your model visibility and recognition.
3. Group engagement: Promoting merchandise fosters a direct connection between you and your supporters, nurturing a way of group engagement. Moreover, it may possibly open the door for partnerships with different nonprofits, native artists, company sponsorships, and extra.
4. Donor incentives: Merchandise is usually a compelling incentive for donors, encouraging contributions and providing a tangible solution to acknowledge their help.
5. Knowledge insights: On-line gross sales present essential details about supporter preferences and shopping for habits. This helps you regulate your merchandise and advertising methods accordingly.
6. Income diversification: Merchandise gross sales present a brand new earnings stream on your nonprofit. It will stop you from relying too closely on only one or two earnings streams, making your group extra financially secure.
7. Entry to unrestricted funds: Typically, donations include restrictions and guidelines for the way the cash can be utilized—however the earnings out of your merchandise gross sales don’t. You need to use these funds nonetheless you see match, supplying you with flexibility to help your group’s prime priorities.
8. 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!

Nonprofit on-line shops are a primary instance of expertise and group working easily and successfully that can assist you attain your funding objectives. On-line shops can revolutionize the sport for nonprofits and supply a flexible method to fundraising. 

• Strategically choose merchandise: Select merchandise that aligns together with your mission and resonates together with your target market. For instance, a conservation group would possibly supply branded, reusable water bottles to scale back single-use plastic waste. While you supply objects that mirror your group’s established values and function, you safe a stronger connection together with your supporters.
• Contemplate creating themed campaigns: Design merchandise that mirrors the theme of your broader campaigns, fostering a way of group and shared function. For instance, rejoice particular occasions, milestones, or causes.
• Hunt down collaborations and partnerships: As talked about, promoting merchandise is usually a pure introduction to partnerships with people and organizations in your group. Collaborate with artists, influencers, or different organizations to co-create and promote unique merchandise. These initiatives broaden your attain and produce contemporary views to your merchandise choice.
• Incorporate storytelling: Inform the story of your nonprofit and its beneficiaries in your product descriptions and advertising supplies. Share the influence of every buy, connecting the merchandise to your mission and the tangible distinction it makes.

The excellent news is that opening a web-based retailer doesn’t require a whole overhaul of your present fundraising method. As an alternative, contemplate this a strategic integration of a brand new earnings stream.

• Ease of use: Bonfire gives a user-friendly interface that’s simple for directors and clients to navigate.
• Nonprofit-friendly price construction: Perceive the platform’s pricing mannequin, together with transaction charges, subscription prices, and any extra fees. Select an answer that aligns together with your finances and monetary objectives. Bonfire’s platform is free and has no upfront prices.
• Integrations: The platform you select should work together with your present programs, like cost choices, accounting software program, and buyer relationship administration instruments. As an example, Bonfire integrates with Stylish fundraising software program, making it simple to launch peer-to-peer t-shirt fundraisers through our Giving Campaigns. 
• Customization options: Look for platforms that allow you to customize your online store to align with your nonprofit’s branding and mission. This also gives your shop a more professional look.
• Excellent customer support: Evaluate the platform’s level of customer support. Responsive, accessible support is 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 to maximize revenue.
• Flexible payment options: Make sure the platform you choose offers a variety of payment options for your supporters, such as credit and debit cards, gift cards, PayPal, and Amazon Pay.
• Reduced donation fees: Once your nonprofit is verified on Bonfire, processing fees are significantly reduced from 8% to 3.5%.
• Customizable organization profile pages: Your organization’s official profile page is your nonprofit’s place to tell your story, highlight active campaigns, and show off your fundraising stats and progress.
• Downloadable supporter list: You can effortlessly export the contact details of your supporters from all your connected campaigns in a user-friendly CSV format.

Bonfire was created with nonprofits in mind, with features that address common fundraising challenges and discounts that help you keep more of your hard-earned funds.

Creating your nonprofit online store on Bonfire is super easy. Here’s what the process looks like: 

1. Set up your Bonfire account. 
2. Select the “Create My Store” button or click the “My Store” tab on the dashboard to begin. 
3. You’ll be prompted to customize your store. You can change your store name at any time.

You can add merch campaigns—we allow a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 50 campaigns. You can also customize the look of your store for a more polished, professional touch. Once you’ve got everything set, all you have to do is hit “Publish,” and your store will be live!

• Relevance to your mission: Choose products that align with your nonprofit’s mission and values. This will reinforce your organization’s identity and resonate with your supporters.
• Your target audience: Who do you want to purchase these products, and what are their preferences and values? Select products that appeal to these supporters and promote them in ways that highlight their value.
• Quality and sustainability: Source high-quality products that positively reflect your organization. Consider sustainable, ethical, and eco-friendly options, as consumers are increasingly concerned with sustainability. In fact, 80% of consumers say they are willing to pay more for sustainable products.
• Costs and profit margins: Evaluate the production and procurement costs of the products—do they offer a reasonable profit margin? This will ensure your online store contributes meaningfully to your fundraising efforts.
• Practicality: Choose products your supporters will use in their everyday lives. This increases the likelihood of repeat purchases and ongoing support.

When you choose the right products, you ensure financial sustainability and help shape your nonprofit’s overall identity. Think of your merchandise as a way to tell your story—this strengthens the emotional connection between your cause and your community. 

Intentionally Price Your Products

Ideally, your prices should be accessible to your target market while still covering costs. Consider each of these factors 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: 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.

This thought-out approach to pricing transforms transactions into meaningful contributions, reinforcing financial sustainability and fostering lasting connections with your community.

Promote Your Online Store

Now that your nonprofit online store is up and running, it’s time to promote it to your community! Here are some engaging ways to promote the store:

• Post on social media: Use social media platforms to showcase your products. Engage your audience with impactful visuals, including photos and videos. Re-share user-generated content, like a photo of someone posing in their new t-shirt, to build social proof.
• Feature on your website: Make it as easy as possible for visitors to explore and learn about your merchandise. Add links in prominent places on your site—for example, add a “Shop” button to your header navigation bar.
• Collaborate with influencers: Partner with influencers within and outside the nonprofit sector to extend your reach. Influencers promote your products to their followers, generating more interest.
• Offer time-sensitive promotions: Create promotional campaigns for specific events, holidays, or milestones. For example, you might offer a 15% discount on GivingTuesday. Limited-time offers and exclusive items can drive urgency and boost sales.
• Create compelling content: Develop engaging 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.
• Highlight impact: Emphasize the concrete ways that funds from the online store contribute to your nonprofit’s mission. Supporters will appreciate knowing how their purchases contributed to positive change. 

Promoting your online store drives visibility, increases awareness, and encourages supporters to contribute. Strategic promotion will boost sales and broaden your audience, fostering long-term relationships with current and new supporters. 

Using online stores for nonprofits will diversify your revenue streams, engage a wider audience, and strengthen your community connections. Launch your online store today to transform your nonprofit’s future and unleash the power of digital impact!

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