HubSpot: A Smarter Approach to Fundraising for Nonprofits

If you’re still thinking, “Fundraising? Isn’t HubSpot for Sales… and Marketing?” let us stop you right there. While it’s true that HubSpot was originally built with marketing and sales in mind, it has since become a powerful tool for nonprofits looking to elevate their fundraising and marketing efforts. 

Since its launch in 2022, HubSpot for Nonprofits has supported 4,000+ organizations worldwide, helping them drive growth and create meaningful change. With more than 1,000 integrations available in HubSpot's App Marketplace - ranging from event management tools to payment processors - nonprofits can plug in their favorite tools, all within a unified platform.

For organizations still relying on outdated tools or disconnected systems, this is a real (and proven) game-changer.

How, exactly? Let’s get into it.

But Before We Do... Here Are Some Eye-Opening Trends

Fundraising and nonprofit operations are evolving rapidly, and understanding the latest trends is key to staying ahead. According to the HubSpot Nonprofit Marketing & Fundraising Trends Report, here are some highlights to guide your strategy:

• Giving is on the rise: Global giving is predicted to increase by 3.9% in 2025, reversing the decline seen since the pandemic. Foundations are leading the way with an anticipated growth of 5.3%, making them an even more vital funding source.
• Recurring donors drive revenue: 57% of donors are enrolled in recurring giving programs, up by 46%. This underscores the importance of cultivating loyal supporters and offering options like monthly giving.
• AI is expected to play a bigger role: While less than 3 in 10 nonprofits currently use AI, the demand for AI-powered personalization is growing as donors expect tailored communication and seamless experiences.
• Hybrid events are thriving: 67.8% of nonprofit professionals report a preference for hybrid events, which blend in-person and virtual components. These formats expand accessibility and reach, making them a critical part of nonprofit strategy.

These insights highlight opportunities to modernize your approach and meet evolving donor expectations. 

How Can Nonprofits Use HubSpot for Fundraising?

Aside from the 40% discount that eligible nonprofits can take advantage of, HubSpot for Nonprofits offers nonprofits innovative ways to manage donor relationships, optimize campaigns, and track success - all in one place.

With HubSpot’s tools at work helping you amplify fundraising, nonprofits can:

• Attract and nurture leads to grow their donor base.
• Create personalized donor journeys that inspire long-term support.
• Centralize data and reporting for real-time insights and better decision-making.

Let’s break down the tools and Hubs that make all of this possible:

And that’s not all - let’s not forget HubSpot’s AI Capabilities

At INBOUND 2024, HubSpot unveiled Breeze, its cutting-edge AI suite designed to help organizations boost productivity, scale growth, and uncover actionable insights with ease. Integrated smoothly within HubSpot, Breeze allows users to access its powerful tools directly within the platform, practically eliminating the need to switch between systems. 

But the key question for nonprofits remains: how can HubSpot’s Breeze make a difference in fundraising?

Simple answer: HubSpot AI helps nonprofits work more efficiently without having to rely on a disconnected, expensive patchwork of tools.

Here’s what Breeze brings to the table:

• Breeze Copilot: Assists with routine tasks like drafting emails, generating reports, and recommending next steps, saving your team time and reducing manual workloads.
• Breeze Agents: Automates workflows such as donor follow-ups, payment reminders, and campaign scheduling, ensuring that no opportunities slip through the cracks.
• Breeze Intelligence: Analyzes donor data to identify patterns, predict outcomes, and provide actionable insights, helping nonprofits make more informed decisions.

To truly unlock HubSpot’s potential for fundraising, a strategic approach is essential. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your use of the platform, here are some best practices to guide your efforts:

1. Customize Your Dashboard and CRM
Tailoring your HubSpot CRM to meet your nonprofit’s unique needs should be your first step. Set up specific properties and pipelines to track donor activity, manage campaigns, and organize fundraising efforts. Personalized dashboards give you a clear overview of key metrics, ensuring your team stays informed and focused on your goals.

2. Leverage Automation to Streamline Processes
HubSpot’s automation tools are a game-changer for efficiency. Automate donor follow-ups, thank-you emails, and even social media posts to keep your team focused on high-value tasks. For instance, setting up workflows for re-engaging lapsed donors can save hours of manual effort while ensuring no opportunity slips through the cracks.

3. Make Data Your Superpower
Regularly reviewing your data is crucial for improving your fundraising strategy. Use HubSpot’s reporting and analytics tools to track campaign performance, donor engagement, and overall fundraising progress. Let the insights from these reports guide adjustments to your strategy, ensuring your efforts are always data-driven and impactful.

4. Invest in Training
HubSpot is robust, and while its features are incredibly powerful, they can feel overwhelming without the right knowledge. Take advantage of HubSpot’s user-friendly training modules or work with an expert to guide your team through the setup and daily operations. Investing in training upfront ensures you’re using the platform to its full potential.

Challenges Nonprofits May Face When Using HubSpot for Fundraising

While HubSpot is a powerful tool for fundraising, nonprofits can encounter a few hurdles along the way. Understanding these challenges upfront can help your team prepare and make the most of the platform:

1. Complexity of Features
HubSpot’s extensive capabilities can feel overwhelming, especially for teams new to the platform. With so many tools available - like automation, reporting, and CRM customization - it takes time and training to fully understand and utilize everything effectively.

2. Budget Constraints
Although HubSpot offers a free version, its functionality is limited. Many nonprofits quickly find themselves needing to upgrade to a paid tier to access the tools necessary for effective fundraising. For organizations operating on tight budgets, this can feel like a barrier. However, HubSpot’s nonprofit discount (40%) can ease some of this strain.

3. Integration Challenges
If your nonprofit relies on a mix of third-party tools, integrating them with HubSpot can present technical challenges. Whether it’s syncing donor data from payment platforms or connecting event management tools, these integrations may require expertise to set up and manage properly.

Preparing for these challenges with the right training, budgeting, and support ensures that your nonprofit can fully leverage HubSpot’s features for successful fundraising.

When to Bring in a HubSpot Expert

While HubSpot empowers nonprofits to manage fundraising in-house, partnering with a specialized agency can simplify the process and maximize results. Here’s how an agency can help:

• Tailored Strategy and Execution: An agency can customize HubSpot to align with your nonprofit’s mission and goals, ensuring every feature supports your fundraising efforts.
• Specialized Knowledge: From setting up complex automation workflows to creating personalized donor journeys, a HubSpot expert brings the know-how to handle it all.
• Training and Ongoing Support: A good partner doesn’t just set up your HubSpot system—they train your team to use it confidently and provide ongoing support to keep everything running smoothly.

If your nonprofit is looking for guidance on how to make the most of HubSpot, we’re here to help. 

At Nonprofit Tech Shop, we specialize in helping organizations like yours unlock the full potential of HubSpot - streamlining processes, improving donor engagement, and building strategies that align with your mission.

Together, we can explore how we can support your fundraising goals and simplify your tech stack. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to refine your approach, we’d love to hear from you.