Projects are detailed fundraising programs you can create in your Benevity Causes Portal to spotlight exactly what your nonprofit needs right now, whether it’s disaster response, emergency aid, a key program, or support for a local chapter.
If you have specific initiatives to fund, the Projects tab is where you bring them to life and connect with donors who are ready to give.
How projects boost funding and visibility
Projects give donors a clear reason to act, showing them exactly what needs funding, why it matters and how their support will make a difference. They also give your nonprofit tools to boost visibility and drive donations:
- Boost discoverability: Projects improve your SEO and appear in search results when donors use relevant keywords (e.g. wildfire support, winter shelter, refugee support). Projects often show up as standalone listings, which means new donors might discover your cause for the first time through your project—even before seeing your main profile.
- Support all types of initiatives: Use them for short-term drives like a holiday food campaign or long-term efforts like youth outreach or mental health programs.
- Highlight urgency: Showcase urgent needs, (e.g. World Mental Health Day), or for supporting local chapters and affiliates under your tax ID or fiscal sponsorship.
With GivingTuesday coming up on December 2, 2025, millions of people will be logging into Benevity looking for meaningful ways to give. This is your opportunity to get your cause in front of donors who are ready to act.
How to create an engaging project that drives donations
To stand out on Benevity and attract donations, your project needs to be clear, compelling, and easy to find. Here’s how to create a project that grabs attention and gets funded:
1. Tell the story
What’s the need? Who’s impacted? Why does it matter right now? Use storytelling to create an emotional connection, as donors want to feel something before they give. Make your project feel urgent, human, and relatable.
Example project title: “Help restock our shelter with blankets and hygiene kits before winter hits.”
2. Demonstrate specific impact
People are more likely to donate when they understand exactly what their money will do. Use clear, outcome-based messaging.
Instead of: “Support our food program.”
Say: “$10 feeds one person. $50 feeds a family of four.”
When donors see concrete, tangible outcomes, they’re far more likely to give.
3. Use milestones to motivate and mobilize
Set clear, measurable goals and break them into realistic milestones. Most donors give between $50 and $100, so use suggested amounts that reflect that range. When you frame your goal in increments, you make progress easy to understand and easy to act on.
Example: “By January 1, we need to raise $6,000 to provide winter coats for 200 children. A $30 donation outfits one child with a warm, weatherproof coat.”
Urgency combined with a clear outcome gives donors a reason to act now. When people see exactly what’s needed and the timeline they’re more likely to give with purpose.
4. Use SEO keywords
Corporate employees and donors search for nonprofits using keywords. To improve your visibility, include high-intent keywords in your project title and description. This increases the chances your project will appear in relevant search results when people are ready to give.
Examples of strong keywords: GivingTuesday, Holiday giving, Disaster response, Urgent need, Local support, Mental health, Education access
This is especially critical during GivingTuesday, as strategic keywords ensure your project shows up at exactly the right moment.
5. Upload an image
Add a photo that reflects the specific project. A strong, relevant visual helps your project stand out in search results and builds instant recognition.
If you choose to include a logo, we strongly recommend using one that represents the fundraiser project (rather than your organization’s default logo) to better align with the campaign’s focus.
6. Align with awareness days
Many companies and donors plan their giving campaigns around key moments throughout the year. Strategically aligning your Projects with high-engagement dates, such as GivingTuesday, Earth Day, Pride Month, or International Women’s Day, can increase visibility and attract support when participation is highest.
Example of a strong project
Here’s what a well-built project looks like with all the best practices in place:
Project Title: Holiday Food Drive: Feed a Family in Chicago This Winter
Project Description: This holiday season, many families in our community are choosing between heating their homes and putting food on the table. We’re raising $12,000 to fight food insecurity and provide 400 families with fresh, nourishing meals, just in time for the holidays.
Behind every door is a different story: a single mom working two jobs, a grandparent raising their grandchildren, a recently laid-off parent trying to hold things together. What they all have in common is the need for a little help—and the hope that someone cares.
Each $30 donation provides a full holiday meal for a family, including fresh produce, pantry staples, and festive treats. Meals are distributed through our local food bank network and community partners to support local families where it matters most.
Your support this holiday season brings relief, dignity, and a sense of celebration to families experiencing food insecurity.
Why It works:
- Clear purpose: The project states exactly what it’s funding: holiday meals for families in need, so donors immediately understand the impact of their gift.
- Storytelling that resonates: It taps into real, relatable situations—working parents, caregivers, and those facing hardship, so donors feel emotionally connected to the cause.
- Tangible impact: A $30 donation feeds one family, donors can clearly see the outcome of their support and know their contribution makes a real difference.
- Urgent timing: The holiday season creates a natural deadline and emotional urgency, making people more likely to give in the moment.
- Searchable keywords: Terms like holiday food drive, food insecurity, support local families, and GivingTuesday help the project appear in relevant donor searches.
Learn more about how to manage your projects