Top 10 Marketing Strategies for Nonprofits to Drive Growth in 2025

1. Strengthen Your Brand Identity

A strong brand is the foundation of every marketing strategy. Nonprofits often overlook branding, but donors and volunteers are more likely to support organisations that appear credible and consistent.

• Define your brand values: Clearly articulate your mission, vision and unique impact.
• Maintain visual consistency: Use a professional logo, typography and colour palette across your website, emails and social media.
• Craft a brand voice: Decide how you want to sound, compassionate, authoritative, community-driven and use that tone consistently.

In New Zealand, where nonprofit competition is high, a clear and memorable identity can make the difference between gaining long-term supporters or being overlooked.

2. Optimise Your Website for Impact

Your website is often the first point of contact for potential donors and volunteers. In 2025, people expect fast, accessibleand mobile-friendly experiences.

• Mobile-first design: More than half of users will view your site on a phone. Ensure your donation forms, event registrationsand contact pages are easy to use on mobile.
• Clear calls to action (CTAs): Make “Donate,” “Volunteer,” or “Get Involved” buttons highly visible.
• Accessibility compliance: Follow accessibility best practices (colour contrast, alt text, readable fonts) so your site is inclusive to all.
• Analytics tracking: Use Google Analytics 4 or Matomo to understand where visitors come from and which pages drive conversions.

3. Leverage Content Marketing to Tell Stories

Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools nonprofits have. Instead of only asking for donations, share stories that demonstrate impact.

• Case studies and testimonials: Highlight how your services changed someone’s life.
• Behind-the-scenes updates: Show transparency by letting supporters see the work in action.
• Educational resources: Create blogs, guides, or videos that position your organisation as a thought leader in your sector.

Content builds trust and encourages repeat engagement. It also boosts search rankings, helping your nonprofit get found organically.

4. Invest in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

SEO ensures your website ranks for terms potential donors, volunteers, or beneficiaries are searching for. For example, a local animal shelter in Christchurch might want to rank for “adopt a dog Christchurch.”

Key tactics:

• Keyword research: Use tools like SEMrush or free options like Google Keyword Planner. Focus on local and mission-specific terms.
• On-page optimisation: Write keyword-rich headings, meta descriptions alt text.
• Link building: Partner with other organisations, universities, or local media to gain backlinks.
• Technical SEO: Ensure fast load times, secure HTTPS and structured data.

5. Use Email Marketing to Nurture Supporters

Email remains one of the most cost-effective channels for nonprofits. A strong email strategy can convert casual supporters into lifelong donors.

Segment your lists: Separate volunteers, first-time donorsand recurring donors to send tailored content.

Personalise subject lines and content: Emails addressed by name with relevant updates have higher open rates.

Automate journeys: Set up welcome sequences, donation thank-you emailsand event reminders.

Track performance: Measure open rates, click-through ratesand donations generated from campaigns.

6. Harness the Power of Social Media

Social media is essential for visibility, community buildingand fundraising. In 2025, nonprofits should approach social platforms strategically.

• Choose platforms wisely: Focus on where your audience is. Facebook remains strong for older demographics, Instagram and TikTok reach younger supportersand LinkedIn is ideal for corporate partnerships.
• Create shareable content: Short videos, impact graphicsand volunteer spotlights work well.
• Encourage user-generated content: Ask supporters to share why they care about your mission.

Run low-cost ad campaigns: Meta Ads can target local supporters with small budgets.

7. Adopt Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Campaigns

Peer-to-peer fundraising empowers your supporters to raise money on your behalf. Platforms like Givealittle in New Zealand or global tools such as JustGiving allow individuals to set up their own fundraising pages.

Benefits include:

• Expanded reach through supporters’ personal networks.
• Increased trust because donations come from word-of-mouth advocacy.
• Engagement beyond one-time donations, turning supporters into ambassadors.

Run peer-to-peer campaigns around milestones such as birthdays, marathons, or Giving Tuesday.

8. Build Partnerships with Businesses and Influencers

Collaborations can amplify your reach and credibility.

• Corporate partnerships: Many New Zealand companies have CSR (corporate social responsibility) programmes and are seeking nonprofits to support.
• Influencer marketing: Work with micro-influencers (1,000–10,000 followers) who align with your mission. Their audiences often have higher engagement rates.
• Community collaborations: Partner with schools, local councils, or other nonprofits for joint events.

Partnerships can unlock new audiences, resourcesand credibility.

9. Use Data-Driven Decision Making

Gone are the days of guessing which campaigns work. In 2025, nonprofits should measure everything to maximise limited resources.

• Set measurable goals: Instead of “increase donations,” aim for “grow recurring donations by 15%.”
• Track key metrics: Cost per acquisition, donor retention rate, email click-through rateand event ROI.
• A/B test campaigns: Try two versions of a landing page or email to see which performs better.
• Donor management software: Tools like Raisely or HubSpot for Nonprofits help track supporter journeys.

10. Embrace Video and Live Streaming

Video continues to dominate online engagement. For nonprofits, it offers a chance to connect emotionally at scale.

• Impact videos: Showcase the difference your organisation makes in 60-90 seconds.
• Volunteer highlights: Celebrate those behind your mission.
• Live Q&As or events: Stream directly to Facebook or YouTube to engage supporters in real time.
• Short-form content: TikTok and Instagram Reels are powerful for reaching younger demographics.

Video doesn’t need to be high-budget; authenticity is often more effective than polish.

Conclusion

Nonprofits in 2025 must blend traditional relationship-building with digital transformation. From strengthening your brand identity to harnessing video storytelling, these 10 marketing strategies will help your organisation grow, attract loyal supportersand maximise impact.

The key is consistency: choose the tactics that align with your mission and commit to them.

Ready to take your nonprofit marketing to the next level? At Activate, we specialise in creating websites, SEO strategies, and digital campaigns that help organisations like yours grow awareness, attract loyal donors and make a bigger impact. Get in touch with our team today to start building a marketing strategy that drives real results.