Fundraising Isn’t Dying: Nonprofits Should Focus On Engagement, Gratitude, and Community

Quote on blue background stating that nonprofits succeed when people give because they feel seen, inspired, and appreciated—not simply because they are asked.

Fundraising isn’t dying. Fundraising events aren’t obsolete. And generosity hasn’t disappeared.
What has changed is how people connect to causes, and that shift is forcing nonprofits to rethink how they engage donors, tell their stories, and say thank you.

In a thoughtful podcast conversation, Murad Auctions Professional Auctioneer and Fundraising Expert Marty Murad and Trevor Nelson of HGA Fundraising, shared what’s really happening behind today’s giving trends. Their message is clear: the biggest challenges facing nonprofits aren’t about money shortages. They’re about trust, engagement, leadership, and human connection.

Here’s what every nonprofit leader, board member, and event planner should take away from their insightful conversation:

Family Business Mentality: A Hidden Advantage for Nonprofits

Marty’s background in a family business deeply shapes how he approaches fundraising. Family businesses thrive on trust, accountability, and teamwork, and those same values translate beautifully into nonprofit work.

Nonprofits that adopt an entrepreneurial mindset tend to:

  • Operate more efficiently
  • Build stronger internal teams
  • Treat donors like long-term partners, not transactions

At their core, nonprofits still need revenue to survive. Just like businesses, they have value, operating costs, and growth goals. The mission doesn’t replace the need for sustainability. It depends on it.

Why Fundraising Is So Personally Rewarding

For Marty, fundraising is more than a job. It’s a calling. He compares it to the Robin Hood effect, where money is redirected to people and programs that truly need it.

As an auctioneer, he also understands the emotional power of performance. When fundraising is done well, it’s inspiring, energizing, and deeply human. That emotional experience is something online-only fundraising simply can’t replicate.

Nonprofits Must Think Like Businesses Without Losing Their Heart

Graphic with white text on a blue background stating ‘Nonprofits Must Think Like Businesses Without Losing Their Heart,’ explaining that nonprofits must generate revenue and highlighting fundraising strategy, investing in systems and leadership, and understanding financial value and growth potential.”

One of the biggest eye-opening lessons Marty learned is that nonprofits must generate revenue just like businesses do. Passion alone doesn’t keep the lights on.

Organizations that succeed:

  • Treat fundraising as a strategic function
  • Invest in systems and leadership
  • Understand their financial “value” and growth potential

This approach has helped Murad Auctions dramatically increase revenue for small and mid-sized nonprofits, sometimes doubling or tripling what they raised before.

The Biggest Fundraising Mistake Is Forgetting to Say Thank You

Blue background graphic with white text titled ‘Not Thanking Donors,’ listing consequences including breaking trust, stopping donor growth, and undermining long-term sustainability.

Based on donor psychology, Marty says one of the most powerful things nonprofits can do is thank donors.

Too often, nonprofits focus only on major donors and overlook “test donors”. These are people giving small amounts to see if they feel valued. Ignoring them is one of the biggest missed opportunities in fundraising.

Marty says not thanking donors:

  • Breaks trust
  • Stops donor growth
  • Undermines long-term sustainability

These small ways to thank them have great results over time:

Words of gratitude, gratitude concept, text Thank you
  • A phone call
  • A note
  • A genuine thank you letter

Thanking donors:

Blue background graphic with white text reading ‘Thanking Donors Can,’ followed by bullet points stating it can turn a $100 donor into a $10,000 donor over time, build trust and loyalty, and signal strong leadership.
  • Can turn a $100 donor into a $10,000 donor over time
  • Builds trust and loyalty
  • Signals strong leadership

Fundraising Is About People, Not Just Dollars

Blue background graphic with white text stating ‘Fundraising Is About People, Not Just Dollars,’ followed by a list of main fundraising problems: engagement, trust, storytelling, leadership, and strategy.

Marty says that nonprofits need to focus on the fact that people don’t give because they’re asked. They give because they feel seen, inspired, and appreciated.

For example, giving has declined most sharply among people aged 25–44. But the issue isn’t a lack of wealth. Marty says it’s not a money problem. The problems are:

  • Engagement problem
  • Trust problem
  • Storytelling problem
  • Leadership
  • Strategy problem

Younger generations want transparency, meaning, and connection. They don’t just want to give. They want to belong to something that aligns with their values.

In today’s evolving giving trends, human connection is a very powerful fundraising tool.

Nonprofits that focus on community, storytelling, gratitude, and simplicity aren’t just surviving. They’re thriving.

Why Fundraising Events Still Matter More Than Ever

Blue background graphic with white text titled ‘Why Fundraising Events Still Matter More Than Ever,’ listing reasons including powerful marketing, building community, bringing the mission to life, and giving donors a public hero moment for a cause.

Many believe that fundraising events are outdated. Marty and Trevor strongly disagree. Fundraising events are still essential because they do what digital campaigns alone can’t.

Events Serve as Powerful Marketing

Events showcase your mission, impact, and wins in a way no email or social post can.

Events Build Community

They bring like-minded people together and strengthen relationships among donors, staff, and supporters.

Events Bring the Mission to Life

Seeing real stories, faces, and results creates emotional buy-in that drives generosity.

Events Give Donors a Hero Moment

A paddle raise lets people publicly stand up for a cause. That moment of shared generosity is incredibly powerful.

Remove Giving Barriers

Blue background graphic with white text titled ‘Remove Giving Barriers,’ explaining the importance of simplifying giving and noting that paddle raises work well because they require one simple action, are accessible to all ages, and avoid tech frustration, while mobile giving can create barriers for some donors.”

Marty emphasized that it’s important to make giving simple by removing barriers. If giving feels complicated, people hesitate.

He favors paddle raises because:

  • They require just one simple action — raising a hand
  • They’re accessible to all ages
  • They avoid tech frustration

Mobile giving has its place, but for many audiences, especially older donors, it can create unnecessary barriers.

Focus on Strategic Event Flow: Entertainment First, Emotion Last

Marty recommends having entertainment first and saving emotional moments, like the paddle raise, for last.

  1. Live auction first — treat it as entertainment
  2. Paddle raise last — end on emotion and purpose

This flow keeps energy high and leaves guests with a powerful final impression tied directly to the mission.

A Mission Video Works Better Than Live Speakers

Blue background graphic with white text titled ‘Why Using a Video to Convey Your Mission Works Better Than Live Speakers,’ listing benefits such as staying focused, controlling timing, and avoiding rambling, with a professional tip recommending videos of three minutes or less for maximum emotional impact.

When it comes to sharing your mission story, Marty strongly recommends using a video because:

  • Videos stay focused
  • They control timing
  • They avoid rambling

The video should be 3 minutes or less. Short, emotional videos are the most effective at conveying your message.

Shift The Focus

Use the tips in this blog as a checklist to take your next fundraiser to the next level.

Murad Auctions is here to help with increasing your fundraiser revenue. Schedule a free consultation to take your event to the next level.

Posted in Fundraiser Ideas