How Small Nonprofits Raise Money Without Grants

Updated June 12, 2026 · Good Circles

Small nonprofits raise money without grants through recurring small donations, peer-to-peer campaigns, events, corporate matching, and increasingly passive fundraising — earning a share of supporters' everyday shopping automatically. Tools like Good Circles make the last one free and recurring, with no campaign to run.

The most sustainable sources

  • Recurring individual donors — predictable monthly support.
  • Passive fundraising — a cut of everyday shopping, with zero effort from the org (see below).
  • Peer-to-peer — supporters fundraise on your behalf.
  • Local business sponsorships and in-kind support.
  • Events — but weigh the staff time they cost.

Why passive fundraising is a fit for small orgs

You don't have a grant writer or an events team — so the best money is money that comes in without a campaign. Passive fundraising lets supporters fund you simply by shopping the way they already do. What is passive fundraising? »

How it works with Good Circles

Supporters choose your nonprofit once. Then 10% of the merchant's profit on every local purchase they make is routed to you, automatically and monthly — free, recurring, and unrestricted. See Good Circles for nonprofits »

Fundraising that runs itself

Get recurring, no-cost funding every time your supporters shop local.

Good Circles for nonprofits

FAQ

How can a nonprofit raise money without writing grants?

Focus on recurring individual donors, peer-to-peer campaigns, local sponsorships, and passive fundraising tools that earn a share of supporters' everyday shopping.

Is passive fundraising worth it for a small nonprofit?

Yes — because it requires almost no staff time. On Good Circles, 500 supporters can generate roughly $36,000 a year with no campaign.