The Cold, Hard Truth About Charity Fundraising (That No One Wants to Admit)

When you think of the word “charity,” chances are you picture smiling volunteers handing out food, rescuing animals, supporting veterans, or helping families during a crisis. It’s heartwarming — the very definition of that “feel-good” moment.

 But behind the scenes, the world of charity fundraising is anything but warm and fuzzy.

When of my common sayings is “When the blood hits the water, all the big sharks come to feed.  If you’re scared, either grow a fin or get out of the water” because charity fundraising is a blood sport.

 The truth? It’s fiercely competitive. And if your nonprofit or cause is trying to raise money through events, campaigns, or community drives, you’re entering a crowded arena where fundraising success doesn’t just come from having a good mission — it comes from knowing how to get attention, fast.

The Billion-Dollar Battle You’re In

In 2024 alone, according to GivingUSA, charities in the United States received a staggering $592.5 billion in donations. That number doesn’t even include the money raised through smaller fundraising events, benefit galas, or grassroots efforts that go unreported.

In total, when you include private fundraising platforms, online fundraising sites, corporate sponsorships, and event fundraising, the number likely exceeds one trillion dollars a year.

And here's the part most people overlook:

That much money attracts serious competition.

Thousands of organizations — big and small — are constantly looking for easy fundraising ideas, new tools, and charity event strategies to get their share of it. And many are turning to professional fundraising assistance, experienced charity auctioneers, and event planning companies to guide them.

Let’s Make It Local: The Harford County Example

Take Harford County, Maryland as a real-world example.

The county has about 1,370 registered nonprofits

It spans 437 square miles

That’s an average of 3.13 charities per square mile

That doesn’t even include all the school fundraising groups, community clubs, and volunteer-led benefit efforts trying to raise money for their cause.

Now imagine all those organizations sitting around a round table. Someone walks in and dumps a huge pile of cash in the center. What happens?

Everyone dives in.

This is exactly how it feels when you’re planning a fundraising event. Whether it's a gala, auction, online campaign, or donor dinner — you're surrounded by other groups hoping to do the same thing, often at the same time.

Why Some Charities Stay Small (While Others Keep Growing)

Here’s the truth that stings: your cause might be incredibly important but so are thousands of others.

 Everyone believes their mission matters. But donors only have so much to give, and they’re more likely to support organizations that look professional, feel trustworthy, and host high-quality charity events that actually engage them.

The big charities? They’ve figured this out. They know how to:

• Use online tools and fundraising platforms

• Create standout fundraising event ideas

• Leverage social media and fundraising sites to attract attention

• Partner with companies that provide expert help and guidance

Your charity fighting to be recognized against very large, well established nonprofits is like being thrown into the ring fighting Mike Tyson - you don’t have a shot going “Toe to Toe” with them.

Meanwhile, many smaller nonprofits try to do it all themselves — struggling with DIY plans, no event experience, and outdated methods that don’t excite or convert.

So… What Should You Do?

First, understand that success isn't just about your mission. It’s about visibility, planning, and execution.

If you’re serious about making your charity fundraising efforts work — whether for a nonprofit, school, club, or volunteer project — you need more than hope. You need real help.

At BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising, we specialize in helping charities and causes plan fundraising events that actually work. From creative fundraising ideas for nonprofits to elite auction items and planning support, we give you the tools and team to rise above the noise and attract real donors.

 Because when the money hits the table, you don’t want to be the one left empty-handed.

 Let’s Talk

📞 Call us at 443.206.6121

🌐 Or visit www.BWUnlimited.com to learn how we can help you plan a high-impact event and finally get the results you’ve been working for.

The Grand Canyon Divide Between Successful and Struggling Charities

In the fundraising world, there is a definite major noticeable difference between the highly successful charities raising $100’s of $1,000’s of dollars, if not millions and those who either break even or raise very little. The difference is so large, it’s as if both are standing on different sides of the Grand Canyon.

The reason for the difference is based on these three criteria:

 1.       Time

2.       Resources

3.       Professional Fundraising Assistance vs. DIY Uneducated Fundraiser

Charity A – Successful

#1 – Time

A charity that has been established for many years has had ample chances to educate themselves on how to plan a successful fundraiser. They have gone through years of planning and executing their events. They have learned what works and what doesn’t. They have curated the right guests to attend and have had many years to educate everyone on the amazing work they are doing while showing social proof.

#2 – Resources

Over time, they have learned to build a fundraising infrastructure. They have created systems to identify high-level event sponsors and donors. They have procured a list of potential sponsors based on various surveys as well as being recognized in their community for the work they have done. Furthermore, they have held many fundraising events/galas and had time to educate their guests on how to spend and what their event entails. They have sought out Auction Item donors who can and do donate high-quality auction items for their live and silent auctions. They have learned from their guests in regard to what they like and will bid on.

#3 – Professional Fundraising Assistance

Routinely, successful charities will hire a “Director of Development” whose sole purpose is to plan, manage and run their upcoming fundraising activities such as Galas. These individuals are part of their paid staff and hired based on their professional experience as well as prior successes—they essentially hire their own Professional Fundraiser. The Executive Director of the charity knows that he/she does not have the time or knowhow to plan such an event; their focus is on handling the business of the charity and more importantly, its mission in the community in which it serves.

Charity B – Unsuccessful / DIY Uneducated Fundraiser

#1 – Time

A new or fledgling charity has not had the time to grow their base. Often they are solely volunteer-driven. They proudly proclaim “We are all volunteers,” meaning “We have no paid staff – our donations don’t pay salaries.” That statement in and of itself, unbeknownst to them, is actually detrimental to their success because it signals to other charities in the area that they aren’t competition. They haven’t had time to grow their base or to figure out how to plan a successful fundraising event. They haven’t learned what a successful fundraising event even looks like. Because they are volunteers, they do not have the time to devote their lives to the mission of the charity and how to raise more money.

#2 – Resources

Because they are “All Volunteers,” they don’t have the time to go out and meet potential sponsors and donors. They haven’t had the time to learn how to plan, manage, and host a successful fundraiser and often attempt to simply copy another fundraiser they saw from another similar charity. That is why these types of charities conduct “50/50” or “Money Wheel” raffles—which are not successful. They often rely solely on donated items, especially gift baskets for their auctions—because they haven’t had the time to evaluate whether those are effective. Often, after their fundraising events, they don’t even go back and study their event to see how to improve. Because they are “All Volunteers” living a full-time life, with a full-time job, with a full-time family and full-time commitments—they simply do not have the time needed to invest in the charity to help it grow.

#3 – DIY Uneducated Fundraiser

These charities are stuck because they have beliefs that greatly hinder their growth. Again, because they are “All Volunteer” (signaling that none of the funds raised go to pay salaries), they are against hiring a professional fundraiser—believing that if they pay someone to help with fundraising, it will take money away from their event, instead of increasing it. They do not have the time to educate themselves on successful fundraising trends, are not professional event planners, and do not know how to host a successful fundraising event. They falsely believe they can “Do It Yourself” and experience the same success as the much larger, more profitable charities. They have no clear direction planning the event—they guess on what to do next and what will help. They often focus only on the outcome of the event rather than the experience of the donor. They give away “Door Prizes” which local businesses donated to help raise money—but these are simply given away. They don’t understand event timelines, they make homemade flyers, and they don’t understand how important the venue is in appealing to major donors. They are simply guessing.

In Summary

The huge chasm between the highly profitable charities and the DIY Uneducated Fundraisers is rooted in the belief that “You must spend money to make money.” New or completely volunteer-driven charities must seek the help of a professional fundraiser—hired as a contractor—to help plan, execute, and teach them how to build a truly successful event.

Volunteer-led charities should not try to compete with larger, more experienced organizations or criticize them with comments like “Their Executive Director makes $100,000.00.” They don’t yet understand the importance of having a qualified professional in that role—and how much that person helps raise. Instead, they should focus on their own growth and mission—and seek help from a professional team like BW Unlimited Charity Fundraising. Contact BW today at 443.206.6121 or their website at www.BWUnlimited.com or by email at info@bwunlimited.com.

Fishing for the Best Guests: How to Attract High-Value Guests to Your Charity Fundraiser

One of the most common questions I hear from charities, nonprofit organizations, and clients nationwide is: “How can I get wealthy people to attend our fundraiser?” If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked that… well, you know the saying.

The answer to this question goes deeper than you might think. Attracting the right guests to your fundraising event hinges entirely on strategy. Here are some tried-and-true tips to help you attract high-value attendees and make your event a success:

1. The Small Pond Strategy

When inviting guests to your fundraiser, don’t limit your outreach to people within your immediate circle or local area. Constantly "fishing in a small pond" will only yield the same results, as the same individuals will attend year after year. Instead, expand your reach through motivated team efforts, innovative marketing, and strategic advertising.

For instance, many assume people won’t travel from neighboring counties or states to attend a fundraiser. However, successful charities and 501c3 organizations regularly attract guests from across the country—and even internationally. With the right event and messaging, people will gladly travel and book hotels to be part of a meaningful cause.

2. The Right Bait

It’s easy to fall into the trap of hosting the same fundraiser in the same venue year after year. Many charities use identical marketing tactics, offer similar auction items, and repeat the same dinner menu. While this approach may appeal to long-time supporters, it does little to attract wealthy individuals with the means to make significant contributions.

To appeal to high-value donors:

Choose a premier venue that exudes elegance and exclusivity.

Curate a high-quality menu and offer unique live and silent auction items.

Set an appropriately high ticket price. This acts as a financial filter, attracting those with expendable income who are more likely to make substantial donations. Remember, everything matters: the venue, the food, the entertainment, and even the guest list. Wealthy individuals want to be around like-minded people in a luxurious setting.

3. Highlight Your Mission

Many nonprofit organizations make the mistake of only engaging with individuals who are already familiar with their cause. To grow your donor base, you need to design an event that attracts new faces. Once these individuals are at your event, take the opportunity to educate them about your charity’s mission. Whether your organization focuses on animal welfare, education, or environmental causes, clearly communicate the tangible impact of their support.

Leveraging your event as a platform to share stories, showcase your achievements, and connect emotionally with attendees will inspire them to become lifelong donors and advocates.

Why Strategy is Key

Ultimately, the success of your fundraiser hinges on how well you execute the event. From selecting the perfect venue to crafting an exceptional experience, every detail plays a role. It’s no coincidence that the best charities to donate to often host their events in five-star hotels and upscale venues. These settings signal to attendees that their participation is valued, encouraging them to give generously.

By taking care of your guests, you ensure they’ll take care of your charity in return. If your goal is to attract attendees searching for "non profit organizations near me" or "501c3 events," your strategy must be intentional, polished, and mission-driven. With these steps, your charity fundraiser can become the must-attend event of the year—drawing in supporters who can make a real difference.