Is your membership renewal rate now where you would like it to be? Non-Dues revenue streams could be your saving grace in these days of greater economic fluctuation. No matter what, diversification of revenue streams makes a stronger, more stable, and more secure association.
Most nonprofit associations rely on Non-Dues Revenue Streams to help fund their operations. These streams can include donations, grants, sponsorships, and more. Marketing these streams is essential to ensure that the organization has the funds it needs to continue its mission.
If you do not yet have any Non-Dues Revenue Streams, or if you are looking for additional ones, there are a lot of options out there. Below are some ideas that might help get your creative fundraising juices flowing.
- AmazonSmile
- Career Center / Job Board
- Certifications
- Consulting Work
- Continuing Education
- Exhibitors
- Foundation
- Grants
- Meeting Programs
- Partnerships
- Philanthropic Campaign
- Phone App
- Podcast
- Publications
- Recognition Programs
- Sponsored Emails
- Sponsorships
- Training Modules
- Virtual Networking
- Webinars
Once you have one or more Non-Dues Revenue Streams fleshed out and ready to go, you will want to start marketing them. Here are our five favorite ways.
Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for marketing Non-Dues Revenue Streams. It allows organizations to reach a wide audience and target potential donors. Organizations can use social media to post updates, share stories, and build a community around your streams and your mission.
Organizations should also use social media to promote events, campaigns, and other initiatives that can generate non-dues revenue. Using group photos from your live events and tagging the people in them encourages them to share the picture of themself with their own network. If you have your association’s logo and URL on the photo, it can generate visits to your website.
Email Marketing
Email marketing is a great way to reach potential donors and keep them informed. Organizations can create email campaigns to promote events, campaigns, and other initiatives that can generate non-dues revenue. Organizations should also use email marketing to thank donors, keep them engaged, and continue to build your brand and promote your difference. You could develop a series of emails with testimonials from people being helped by your organization to show how you are making a difference.
Public Relations
Organizations can use public relations to generate positive press coverage and increase visibility. Organizations should also use public relations to build relationships with media outlets and other influential organizations. Anytime you are holding a live event, notify the local press to see if they will cover it. A link to your event landing page from a major media outlet’s website and social media can be gold for your association.
Partnerships for your Non-Dues Revenue Streams
When you partner with another association, group, or business, you tap into their list of customers, clients, or supporters. This can be a free (or inexpensive) way to build support for your association. Brainstorm about like-minded organizations that could benefit from something you can give that solves a problem for their followers. If you can make the other organization look great for offering your information, that’s even better. Provide this free information in the form of a PDF, a webinar, a class, or other ways.
Conclusion
It’s not enough just to have Non-Dues Revenue Streams. Nonprofit associations must use effective strategies to market their non-dues revenue streams in order to generate revenue from them. We’ve given you some ideas for ways to beef up your marketing. Need help? See our Services page or click on the button below to Book an Appointment with us and we will take the frustration out of your marketing efforts.
