Crowdfunding, or any form of group fundraising, used to refer to startups and individual projects seeking investors. Today, online crowdfunding sites (think Kickstarter and GoFundMe) have expanded to give individuals and organizations alike the power to create simple online support campaigns. Nonprofits are beginning to buttress traditional development strategies with online crowdfunding. In 2015, the crowdfunding industry raised over $17 billion in the United States alone. By 2025, crowdfunded donations are projected to reach nearly $100 billion. Yes, the iron is hot! Could your nonprofit benefit from the rise of crowdfunding? Read on for an infographic detailing trends and tips to get the most out of this unique fundraising opportunity.

By now, you've probably seen the images on the news. Category 4 Hurricane Harvey has brought torrential rains and massive river flooding to southeast Texas, leaving 30,000 and counting without shelter. The destruction and damage has been widespread and, in some cases, fatal.

Whether you’re raising money for a community project, a research facility or a local animal shelter, there are a number of tried and tested methods for raising funds... so much so, it can be hard to come up with any original ideas for connecting new people to your cause. Thankfully, the internet has opened up a wealth of new channels and possibilities for fundraisers.  They key to standing out from the crowd: Keep your online fundraising endeavors both fun and profitable. Fun ideas like online auctions, hosting webinars and even setting up an e-commerce store work wonders for both organizations and individuals looking to raise money. Here's why.

Most event organizers know a big portion of the night's proceeds comes from the fund-a-need, also commonly known as a cash appeal, special appeal or fund-a-cause. Nonetheless, this revenue strategy can be tough to execute properly.

Crowdfunding, which refers to any form of group fundraising, has been around for years. The term used to refer to entrepeneurs looking for angel investors and venture capital to launch their business, Shark Tank-style. But recently online crowdfunding sites have changed the landscape of individual giving. What is a crowdfunding site? Simply put, it's a fundraising page around which individuals and organizations create an online giving campaign. Donors can pay directly on that page using the website's own credit card processor.