Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi everyone! What are you beat methods of getting donations? I just started a rescue about 3 weeks ago and I've had a whopping $14 in public donations. I've been posting on Facebook, Craigslist, Reddit, Instagram (although that is more recent), and more! I don't even know where to go from here. I'd love to hear methods that work for others as you're getting started 

#FundraisingandDevelopment

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Kara Schmidt
Director
Paws and Claws Pet Rescue
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One of the easiest way we have found is to sign up as a non-profit on FB.  This allows you to post a donate button on each of your posts and there is no fee taken out.

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Jonna Spatafore
Shelter Director
Marion County Humane Society
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Hi! We occasionally do medical fundraisers on Facebook. We write the rescue story and what is going on with the dog and then post what we have had done for the dog, including lots of pictures and then also show the invoice from the Vet to show our charges. We include the donate button on Facebook and also put the link to our website and also our PO box for those that want to mail a check. They are usually very successful and helps with our high vet bills. 

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Laura Ward
Foster Coordinator
A Path 4 Paws Dog Rescue
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In my opinion, the best thing you can do is build a social media following.  We use Amazon and Chewy to keep wish lists of items needed up to date and post our needs to social media with links to the wish list.  We have very good luck with people sending us donations through those lists.  If you're able to attain 501c3 status you can then raise money on Facebook as well.  Last year we were able to raise $27,000 by adding the "donate" button to social media posts.  It really works!  Your first step is to build a strong social media presence and go from there.  Good luck!

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Kelly Eckerle
Dubois County Humane Society
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I am curious about this because I definitely agree about building your social media following. I've never noticed a way to add a donate button to posts though so I wondered if you'd be willing to share more? Is this a Facebook only feature? How do you add the button?

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Brandi Washburn
Executive Director
Bigglesworth Sanctuary
VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-11-2023 03:35 AM
From: Jordan Wehr
Subject: How do you get donations?

In my opinion, the best thing you can do is build a social media following.  We use Amazon and Chewy to keep wish lists of items needed up to date and post our needs to social media with links to the wish list.  We have very good luck with people sending us donations through those lists.  If you're able to attain 501c3 status you can then raise money on Facebook as well.  Last year we were able to raise $27,000 by adding the "donate" button to social media posts.  It really works!  Your first step is to build a strong social media presence and go from there.  Good luck!

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Kelly Eckerle
Dubois County Humane Society
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Donations are a tough come by. Most of our donations are made by family or friends we've made out in the world who support what we do, or are pledged donations for saving death row dogs from shelters. 

I am looking at creating little trinkets or keepsakes in exchange for donations, and try to brainstorm to put together like a newsletter with updates, and membership gift packages in exchange for recurring donation commitment. 

The big thing though, I feel.. is getting out in your community, making friends, continuing conversations, etc - don't allow yourself to get overwhelmed with the "non-public outreach" work (cleaning, soliciting donations/foster/adopters online), because you end up pleading to a very stagnant pool and your immediate social circle generally can only help so much, only have room for so many dogs or ability to help with xx emergency. It is crucial to always have someone with good people skills out there interacting firsthand. 

💓

Best of luck! 💓💓💓

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Mariah von Weigert
Dog trainer/rescue owner
Wolf Creek Dog Rescue
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Hi Kara,,

Welcome to the animal rescue world! Make sure you register your 501c3 with Candid and charity navigator and other chairty hubs. When you first try to register, it will send you to hub. That usually takes a couple of days to get approved.
As far as donations and  fundraisers. What is your rescue about? Dogs, cats, other?

Post stories and pictures on social media to get the audience drawn.

Also you can start with a small fundraiser such as a raffle.  Easter basket? Go around small business to ask for a donated item such as a gift card, bottle of wine etc. to complete a basket.
 Check your local market events and pop up shops, set up a tent with a raffle, a puppy and a donation box.

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Claudia Padilla
Founder and Executive Director
Happy Bunny Project
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Hi Kara, do you already have your nonprofit status? When I started my nonprofit I used GoFundMe to raise the money I needed for the startup business expenses. Now I use a wide variety of methods: Facebook and Instagram fundraisers and donate buttons; FlowerPower fundraising; See's Candies; there are numerous restaurants that offer fundraising opportunities (Chipotle, Panda Express, Krispy Kreme, just to name a few); Giving Grid and CauseVox let you set up fundraising platforms separate from your own website. You can ask local bars and restaurants if they'd be interested in hosting a fundraiser; there are some coffee companies that might partner with you (one is called Grounds for Hounds, there's also one about kitties, but I don't remember the name), and Trupo Treats is a vegan candy company that does some similar partnering; you can design t-shirts and other products at Bonfire.com (you can even create several designs and create your own "store"), and I think Custom Ink does something similar. If there are any businesses you frequent, you could ask about having a donation jar at their checkout counter. 

Best of luck to you!

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Sincerely,
Johanna Spielman
Founder of Jamie Brianna's Legacy Fund
https://jamiebriannaslegacyfund.org/
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We have used Hugo Coffee - big pet lover; Hayward popcorn - their stuff is really good and reasonable.  We have also done pampered chef which brought in good funds.

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geri golonka
Foster/Volunteer
Tiny N Tall Rescue
St. Charles, IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-30-2023 02:11 PM
From: Johanna Spielman
Subject: How do you get donations?

Hi Kara, do you already have your nonprofit status? When I started my nonprofit I used GoFundMe to raise the money I needed for the startup business expenses. Now I use a wide variety of methods: Facebook and Instagram fundraisers and donate buttons; FlowerPower fundraising; See's Candies; there are numerous restaurants that offer fundraising opportunities (Chipotle, Panda Express, Krispy Kreme, just to name a few); Giving Grid and CauseVox let you set up fundraising platforms separate from your own website. You can ask local bars and restaurants if they'd be interested in hosting a fundraiser; there are some coffee companies that might partner with you (one is called Grounds for Hounds, there's also one about kitties, but I don't remember the name), and Trupo Treats is a vegan candy company that does some similar partnering; you can design t-shirts and other products at Bonfire.com (you can even create several designs and create your own "store"), and I think Custom Ink does something similar. If there are any businesses you frequent, you could ask about having a donation jar at their checkout counter. 

Best of luck to you!

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Sincerely,
Johanna Spielman
Founder of Jamie Brianna's Legacy Fund
https://jamiebriannaslegacyfund.org/
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Geri, Does Hayward Popcorn participate in fundraisers for individual organizations? We have promoted online sales of popcorn where we received 50% of the proceeds for our nonprofit, but I didn't see a link for anything like that on Hayward's website. Let me know your experience with them. Thanks!

Laura Pelegrin

Board of Directors

betterTogether Forever

Glendale, CA

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Laura Pelegrin
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-31-2023 08:18 AM
From: geri golonka
Subject: How do you get donations?

We have used Hugo Coffee - big pet lover; Hayward popcorn - their stuff is really good and reasonable.  We have also done pampered chef which brought in good funds.

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geri golonka
Foster/Volunteer
Tiny N Tall Rescue
St. Charles, IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-30-2023 02:11 PM
From: Johanna Spielman
Subject: How do you get donations?

Hi Kara, do you already have your nonprofit status? When I started my nonprofit I used GoFundMe to raise the money I needed for the startup business expenses. Now I use a wide variety of methods: Facebook and Instagram fundraisers and donate buttons; FlowerPower fundraising; See's Candies; there are numerous restaurants that offer fundraising opportunities (Chipotle, Panda Express, Krispy Kreme, just to name a few); Giving Grid and CauseVox let you set up fundraising platforms separate from your own website. You can ask local bars and restaurants if they'd be interested in hosting a fundraiser; there are some coffee companies that might partner with you (one is called Grounds for Hounds, there's also one about kitties, but I don't remember the name), and Trupo Treats is a vegan candy company that does some similar partnering; you can design t-shirts and other products at Bonfire.com (you can even create several designs and create your own "store"), and I think Custom Ink does something similar. If there are any businesses you frequent, you could ask about having a donation jar at their checkout counter. 

Best of luck to you!

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Sincerely,
Johanna Spielman
Founder of Jamie Brianna's Legacy Fund
https://jamiebriannaslegacyfund.org/

Hi  Laura - yes Hayward Popcorn does fundraisers - they have a fundraising site - https://haywardgourmetfundraising.com/

you can also contact:

Vicki Dugan
Director of Fundraising
Hayward Gourmet
330-550-4210

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geri golonka
Foster/Volunteer
Tiny N Tall Rescue
St. Charles, IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2023 09:25 PM
From: Laura Pelegrin
Subject: How do you get donations?

Geri, Does Hayward Popcorn participate in fundraisers for individual organizations? We have promoted online sales of popcorn where we received 50% of the proceeds for our nonprofit, but I didn't see a link for anything like that on Hayward's website. Let me know your experience with them. Thanks!

Laura Pelegrin

Board of Directors

betterTogether Forever

Glendale, CA

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Laura Pelegrin
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-31-2023 08:18 AM
From: geri golonka
Subject: How do you get donations?

We have used Hugo Coffee - big pet lover; Hayward popcorn - their stuff is really good and reasonable.  We have also done pampered chef which brought in good funds.

------------------------------
geri golonka
Foster/Volunteer
Tiny N Tall Rescue
St. Charles, IL


Original Message:
Sent: 03-30-2023 02:11 PM
From: Johanna Spielman
Subject: How do you get donations?

Hi Kara, do you already have your nonprofit status? When I started my nonprofit I used GoFundMe to raise the money I needed for the startup business expenses. Now I use a wide variety of methods: Facebook and Instagram fundraisers and donate buttons; FlowerPower fundraising; See's Candies; there are numerous restaurants that offer fundraising opportunities (Chipotle, Panda Express, Krispy Kreme, just to name a few); Giving Grid and CauseVox let you set up fundraising platforms separate from your own website. You can ask local bars and restaurants if they'd be interested in hosting a fundraiser; there are some coffee companies that might partner with you (one is called Grounds for Hounds, there's also one about kitties, but I don't remember the name), and Trupo Treats is a vegan candy company that does some similar partnering; you can design t-shirts and other products at Bonfire.com (you can even create several designs and create your own "store"), and I think Custom Ink does something similar. If there are any businesses you frequent, you could ask about having a donation jar at their checkout counter. 

Best of luck to you!

------------------------------
Sincerely,
Johanna Spielman
Founder of Jamie Brianna's Legacy Fund
https://jamiebriannaslegacyfund.org/

Our "no premises/no staff" nonprofit does a lot standard fundraising: social media asks, a gala each year, etc. My area is an online Facebook auction every two months. I solicit items from our volunteer base and from friends and then schedule 30+ posts on a stand alone Facebook Private Group. I try to make the posts funny/cute/provocative etc. Auction runs for a week and then I spend a weekend delivering to local winners. Out of towners pay shipping.  As well as raising about $1,200 every 8 weeks, we're finding it builds community for the nonprofit and works as a marketing tool. April will be our 11th auction. 

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BUNNY GOODJOHN
Volunteer Grant Writer
Central Virginia Regional Rescue
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During COVID, we started doing Facebook LIVE Auctions with live video feed of items, and viewers would bid on the items in real time. It really fostered a sense of community during a time of isolation.  This once-a-week event scaled up to two, and now three times a week, complete with a newly opened Re-sale/Re-Tail store!

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Erin Hooks
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-02-2023 06:50 AM
From: BUNNY GOODJOHN
Subject: How do you get donations?

Our "no premises/no staff" nonprofit does a lot standard fundraising: social media asks, a gala each year, etc. My area is an online Facebook auction every two months. I solicit items from our volunteer base and from friends and then schedule 30+ posts on a stand alone Facebook Private Group. I try to make the posts funny/cute/provocative etc. Auction runs for a week and then I spend a weekend delivering to local winners. Out of towners pay shipping.  As well as raising about $1,200 every 8 weeks, we're finding it builds community for the nonprofit and works as a marketing tool. April will be our 11th auction. 

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BUNNY GOODJOHN
Volunteer Grant Writer
Central Virginia Regional Rescue
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I found this forum looking for pet organizations that may want some donations for their fundraisers.  I believe if you  contact smaller online businesses they would love  to offer gift certificates or items for raffle baskets.  My advice is that you can always ask and it may be welcome. Of course besides from helping good causes, they would like a mention or a little promotion in return.

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Jeremy Pellani
Owner
Adirondack Stone Work
https://www.petmemorial.net
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One of our go-to methods has been partnering with local restaurants: Applebee's, Panera, non-chain local faves, and doing a once-a-month percentage of the tab donation. Applebee's has been the most generous, with no minimum and a higher % of the tab gift.  An out-of-town brewery client that hosts an annual golf outing we participate in offered to do a roundup for May.  It netted an extra $400.00 from a business that's 4 hours away! A donut company in the next town over offers delivery to a local shopping center parking lot for a $5 delivery fee. Instead of that parking lot, I've asked if they would agree to drive an extra mile, drop them at our adoption center, saving the owner time waiting, and hopefully bringing in new guests to our facility to get their goodies...and a hot cup of roast-to-order coffee...and maybe a kitten!  :)

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Jonathan Freed
Board of Directors
Cats' Cradle
NC
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Congrats on getting your rescue off the ground! The first few weeks are usually the hardest because people don't know who you are yet, and trust takes time to build.

One thing I've seen make a big difference is making it incredibly easy for people to donate. Instead of only asking for support in posts, have a dedicated donation page you can link everywhere like your website, social media bios, adoption posts, and email signature. We built this into PawPlacer (our free shelter management) because we found that many smaller rescues were losing donations simply because there wasn't a clear, simple way to give.

Beyond that, tell specific stories. A post that says "please donate" usually doesn't perform as well as "This puppy needs $250 for heartworm treatment" or "Help us buy food for the next two weeks." People tend to connect with a tangible goal and the individual animals they're helping.

I'd also reach out to local businesses. Even if they can't donate money, they may be willing to host a donation jar, sponsor a fundraiser, or share your rescue with their customers. Those community partnerships grow into long-term supporters.

Keep at it. Three weeks is still very early, and every established rescue started with zero donors at one point. Building trust and a community around your mission takes time, but it does get easier as people begin seeing the impact you're making. Thanks for all you do and wishing you all the best :) 

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Kyle Leighton
Founder
PawPlacer
NY
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Congrats on creating your rescue! As most people have mentioned, it takes a while to start gaining traction and getting your name out there in the nonprofit world. However, the more sites you become a credible nonprofit with (especially nonprofit sites like Candid and social media sites like Facebook), it will be a little easier for people to trust that your organization is a real one and not just someone posting about dogs in order to receive money. Keep it up with posting on social media too! It may feel like it's slow going, but the more you post and get your posts our there into the algorithm, the more likely people are to see what you're doing. It's also good to really tell the stories of the dogs in your care. People are going to be more willing to donate to dogs who feel real, who have struggled and just want to find a good forever home. 

I hope this helps, and good luck on rallying more people to your cause! Rescue dogs definitely need more people supporting them, so thanks for what you do :) 

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Kelly Money
Executive Director
Rocky Mountain French Bulldog Rescue
CO
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beverly ordonez
Non Profit Administrator
Radha's Cat Haven
WV
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First and foremost, congratulations on starting your rescue! As many members have mentioned, the first months can be difficult funding wise. With heightened visibility, social media/website content driven around storytelling, and established trust as a nonprofit, you will see a significant increase in donations.

Networking is also essential in getting your rescue's name out there. If there are animal welfare events in your area with opportunities to attend or speak, put your name on the list! This will help in establishing relationships with potential supporters, increasing nonprofit credibility, and highlighting your rescue's overall mission. 

Best of luck to you! 

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Aubrey Baker
Major Gifts Officer
FOUR PAWS
MA
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Hi Kara! We started our non-profit officially in March 2025 and it's definitely a process to build any kind of donor base. We are still struggling, if I'm being honest. I did have a couple of things - more support pieces than actual donor sources - that I hope will be helpful. First is using LinkTree to keep all of your resources in a nice clean format for sharing with potential donors. This lets you get a simple link or barcode that will take people to a space where they can click to find your site, social media, donation links, adoption forms, wish lists, and whatever you want to drive traffic to. Also, we started using Zeffy for our payment processing and it has saved us SO much money in fees. It took me a while to commit to a platform but I have been very happy with them. Their platform also has ways to streamline things like newsletters. I haven't played with that much yet but I want to. Other than that, I've found that always finding a way to bring up your rescue when you are in a local business is helpful. Sometimes you strike it lucky and the management is interested in supporting what you do!

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Brandi Washburn
Executive Director
Bigglesworth Sanctuary
VA
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Laurie Myers
Volunteer
Cedar Oaks Rescue
AZ
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Don't get discouraged. Three weeks is still very new, and it takes time to build trust and community support.

Our largest fundraiser has been a Fourth of July fireworks booth. Although a few people were upset that an animal rescue was selling fireworks, it raised more money than any other fundraiser we have done. We also purchased Fourth of July shirts and paw-print bracelets in bulk and offered them for donations. The shirts and bracelets brought in approximately $400 in addition to the proceeds from the booth.

We also post individual dogs who are scheduled for spay or neuter and ask whether anyone would like to sponsor that specific dog. People often respond better when they know exactly which animal and expense their donation is helping.

At every event we attend, we bring paw-print bracelets and paw-print keychains and offer them for any donation amount. We do not place a set price on them, and you may be surprised by how generously people donate when they are allowed to choose the amount.

Local business partnerships have also helped. I created holiday-colored animal-print bracelets and placed them at a high-end patio store in our community. The store displays them for customers to take in exchange for a donation to the rescue. It gives the business an easy way to support us while introducing our organization to people we may not reach through social media.

My biggest advice is to try several different approaches. Fundraising events, small items offered for donations, sponsorships for specific medical procedures, and partnerships with local businesses have worked better for us than repeatedly posting a general request for money. People are more likely to donate when they receive something small, feel connected to a particular dog, or clearly understand what their donation will cover.

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Debi Olivas
Elle's House
Founder
Bakersfield, CA
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