Fundraising with WooCommerce for nonprofits

For nonprofits, choosing the right platform for online fundraising can be a game-changer. Your website needs to be efficient, scalable, and cost-effective regardless of whether you’re primary focus is to collect donations, sell merchandise, or manage fundraising events.

But with so many options available, how do you determine which one is the best solution for you?

According to Nonprofit Tech for Good, around 60% of nonprofits worldwide use WordPress as their content management system (CMS). That’s because WordPress is flexible, easy to use, and offers a vast ecosystem of plugins – including WooCommerce, the world's leading e-commerce solution.

And the best part: WooCommerce isn’t just for online stores.

It’s a powerful fundraising tool that enables nonprofits to accept donations, sell products, and manage events – all while keeping costs low and control in their hands. So, whether you're launching a major fundraising campaign or collecting monthly donations, WooCommerce’s scalability ensures it can grow alongside your nonprofit’s needs.

Why WooCommerce is a smart choice for nonprofits

Nonprofits need a cost-effective, flexible solution for fundraising and WooCommerce delivers exactly that. Unlike expensive, specialized platforms, WooCommerce is free to start with and runs on WordPress, the world’s most popular content management system.

With WooCommerce’s extensive ecosystem of extensions and plugins, nonprofits can handle everything from simple donation forms to full-fledged fundraising campaigns without having to code.

Need recurring donations? A seamless donor checkout? CRM integration? There’s a plugin for that.

Plus, many developers offer special nonprofit discounts, such as 15% off any Barn2 plugin.

WooCommerce’s scalability means you can start small with one-time donations and scale up to major fundraising events, unlimited donation forms, and customized giving options. Sell branded merchandise with unlimited product variations, track donor activity with detailed reporting and analytics, and keep supporters engaged with integrated content tools for campaign pages and donor updates.

Some other key benefits include:

• Customizable donation options
• Secure payment processing
• Seamless donor management and CRM integration
• Mobile-friendly design for on-the-go donations

With WooCommerce, nonprofits get an affordable, scalable, and customizable solution, without being locked into an expensive, proprietary system.

Setting up your nonprofit store for maximum impact

With WooCommerce, setting up a nonprofit store is simple and cost-effective, but, as is the case with many things, success lies in the details. From choosing the right donation plugins to optimizing your store for conversions, every decision you make will impact your fundraising potential.

Here’s what you need to do to set up your WooCommerce-powered nonprofit store for maximum impact.

Fundamentals

The foundation of a successful nonprofit store starts with reliable hosting.

A good hosting provider ensures your website runs smoothly, loads quickly, and remains secure. These are critical factors for donor trust and engagement.

If you’d like to experiment with WordPress for free, you can start with a basic website or blog. For a fully functional site, purchasing a WordPress.com plan provides everything needed to create, host, and share your nonprofit’s mission.

However, if you prefer self-hosted WordPress, options like Cloudways, Pressable, Hostinger, Bluehost, and other hosting providers offer scalable hosting solutions.

Choosing the right domain name is just as important. Many nonprofits opt for ".org" or ".ngo" domains to distinguish themselves from commercial sites and build credibility.

Once your WordPress site is set up, installing WooCommerce is as simple as adding any other plugin. For a step-by-step guide on getting started, check out WooCommerce’s documentation.

Customizing the design

Your nonprofit’s online store should reflect your mission and brand identity. WooCommerce and WordPress offer built-in customization tools, making it easy to personalize your store without coding. You can start with a pre-made theme or design your store from scratch.

It’s important to choose the right theme. Go for one that aligns with your nonprofit’s values, messaging, and user experience needs. Many nonprofit-friendly themes offer donation-focused layouts, impactful storytelling sections, and accessibility features.

Don’t forget to add your logo, choose colors that represent your cause, and adjust the layout to ensure a smooth browsing experience for donors and supporters. A well-designed store builds trust, strengthens your nonprofit’s brand, and encourages engagement.

Adding products

WooCommerce makes it easy for nonprofits to add and manage products with its user-friendly interface. The drag-and-drop functionality and intuitive navigation allow you to set up your store quickly, no technical expertise is required.

Inventory management tools help you track product availability and sales. You can monitor stock levels, adjust pricing, and even set up automated alerts for low inventory. If your nonprofit offers customizable products, like donation-based merchandise or supporter bundles, a plugin like Barn2’s WooCommerce Product Options can provide greater control over product variations and add-ons.

You can use these tools to efficiently manage your nonprofit’s online store while focusing on fundraising and making an impact.

Setting up payment options

One of the biggest advantages of WooCommerce is its seamless integration with various payment gateways which ensure secure transactions for your nonprofit. You can offer multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and offline payments to give donors and customers flexibility while keeping their data protected.

For cost-effective processing, consider payment gateways that offer nonprofit rates, such as PayPal for Charities. If you’re hosting your site on WordPress.com, an SSL certificate is provided for free and automatically installed, ensuring secure transactions without extra effort. Similarly, using a payment provider like PayPal handles security on their end.

However, if you plan to accept credit card payments directly on your website, investing in an SSL certificate is highly recommended to encrypt sensitive data and build trust with donors. By setting up secure and user-friendly payment options, your nonprofit can provide a seamless donation and shopping experience while maximizing fundraising potential.

Key WooCommerce extensions for nonprofits

To maximize the impact of your nonprofit’s WooCommerce store, consider adding extensions that enhance functionality. Extensions can help you accept recurring donations, sell fundraising merchandise, and manage donor relationships efficiently.

Here are some essential WooCommerce extensions to supercharge your nonprofit store:

Donation plugins

Donation plugins help transform your online store into a powerful fundraising platform, allowing nonprofits to accept both one-time and recurring donations seamlessly. These are must-haves if you're raising funds alongside selling merchandise or registering participants for an event.

Key features of donation plugins:

• Flexible donation options. Add donation forms anywhere on your website.
• Custom donation amounts. Allow donors to choose their amount or select from preset giving levels.
• Automated receipts and donor acknowledgments. Send instant confirmations and thank you emails.
• Integration with nonprofit-friendly payment processors. Accept donations via PayPal, Stripe, and other secure gateways.
• Donation tracking and reporting. Monitor fundraising efforts and generate reports for transparency.

Barn2’s WooCommerce Product Options plugin is a versatile tool that simplifies donation collection within WooCommerce Here’s how you can use it for your nonprofit website:

• Custom donation fields. Capture donor information using text boxes, radio buttons, checkboxes, or dropdowns.
• Flexible pricing options. Set suggested donation amounts ($10, $20, $50), enforce minimum amounts, or let donors choose.
• Conditional logic. Show or hide donation options based on user selections for a personalized experience.
• Seamless WooCommerce integration. Works with all WooCommerce payment gateways for secure processing.

Here’s a step-by-step integration guide on how to set this up using WooCommerce Product Options.

Crowdfunding plugins

For nonprofits looking to run crowdfunding campaigns, WooCommerce can be transformed into a dynamic fundraising hub with the right plugins. These tools help organizations launch campaign-specific donation drives, track progress, and engage supporters effectively.

Key features of crowdfunding plugins:

• Campaign management. Create dedicated fundraising pages with goal tracking, progress bars, and backer lists.
• Donor engagement tools. Offer reward tiers, recognition, or incentives based on donation levels.
• Built-in analytics. Monitor donations, campaign performance, and donor behavior with detailed reporting.

WP Crowdfunding is a freemium, full-featured crowdfunding solution for WooCommerce which enables peer-to-peer fundraising and reward-based campaigns. If you’re looking for a free plugin, Crowdfunding for WooCommerce allows nonprofits to collect donations, set fundraising goals, and track campaign progress directly within WooCommerce.

These plugins make it easy to launch and manage fundraising initiatives while leveraging WooCommerce’s powerful e-commerce features.

Membership and subscription tools

Nonprofits often rely on memberships and recurring donations to maintain a steady stream of funding. WooCommerce makes it easy to set up subscription-based giving or exclusive member programs.

Key features of membership and subscription tools:

• Exclusive member content. Restrict access to special resources, events, or perks for donors and supporters.
• Recurring giving programs. Automate monthly or yearly donations with seamless billing and renewals.
• Donor recognition. Offer membership perks, badges, or discounts to foster engagement and loyalty.
• Integrated management. Track member status, payment history, and renewals from your WooCommerce dashboard.

WooCommerce Subscriptions enables nonprofits to set up automated recurring donations with flexible billing options. The Membership for WooCommerce plugin helps create tiered membership plans, restrict content, and provide exclusive benefits to supporters.

You can use either of these plugins to build a sustainable donor base while enhancing engagement with their community.

Selling nonprofit event tickets

Events play a crucial role in nonprofit fundraising, and selling tickets online streamlines the process while broadening your reach. The right ticketing solution ensures smooth transactions and efficient attendee management for your galas, charity auctions, or community gatherings.

Key features of nonprofit event ticketing:

• Flexible ticketing options. Offer general admission, VIP, and early-bird pricing to maximize attendance.
• Attendee management tools. Track registrations, send automatic confirmations, and check-in guests with ease.
• Customizable event pages. Highlight event details, include donation add-ons, and showcase sponsorship opportunities.
• Donation integration. Encourage additional contributions at checkout by linking to donation plugins.

Event Tickets Plus with its WooCommerce integration (available on the pro plan), allows you to accept payments via Stripe, Braintree, and other gateways.

Best practices for nonprofit fundraising success

To maximize the impact of your nonprofit’s fundraising efforts, it’s essential to follow proven strategies that enhance donor engagement, improve conversion rates, and ensure long-term sustainability.

Optimizing the donor experience

A seamless donor experience can significantly boost fundraising success.

Optimize WooCommerce’s donation flow by implementing smart donation suggestions based on previous giving patterns, making it easier for donors to contribute.

Enable one-click recurring donations to encourage long-term support without extra effort. At checkout, add impact visualizations – such as how each donation amount contributes to your cause – to create a compelling emotional connection.

For an even smoother process, consider using Barn2’s WooCommerce Fast Cart plugin, which streamlines checkout into a quick, distraction-free pop-up thus reducing friction and increasing conversions.

By refining the donor journey, you can enhance engagement and drive more contributions.

Donation form optimization

Optimizing your donation form is crucial for increasing conversions.

Ensure strategic form placement by making sure you feature it prominently on your homepage, within blog posts, and on dedicated campaign landing pages. Use dynamic donation forms that adjust based on fundraising goals, making it easy for donors to see their impact.

Implement conditional gift options that unlock perks or acknowledgments for higher donation amounts. You can also customize thank you pages based on the donation type to provide a more personal experience.

For a seamless donor experience, consider using Barn2’s WooCommerce Product Table plugin, which organizes donation options in a sortable, user-friendly table for quick and flexible contributions.

Building trust through transparency

Building trust is essential for nonprofit fundraising success.

Configure WooCommerce to showcase credibility by displaying real-time campaign progress bars, giving donors visibility into fundraising goals. Implement transparent financial reports and fund allocation displays to show exactly how donations are used.

Set up automated email updates or dedicated pages highlighting donation impact and milestones achieved. Prominently feature charity registration numbers and certifications using widgets or footers.

At checkout, reinforce security with trust badges and secure payment icons. Finally, add testimonials from beneficiaries and major donors to build confidence and encourage new supporters to contribute.

UX improvements and website responsiveness

Optimizing UX and responsiveness ensures a seamless donation experience for all supporters.

Set up a mobile-optimized checkout flow so donors can give easily from any device. Enable smart form field population for returning donors to speed up the process. Offer preset donation amounts based on analytics to encourage higher contributions.

Configure smart payment gateway selection to show the most relevant options based on location or donor preferences. Prioritize responsive design and fast-loading pages to prevent drop-offs.

Finally, implement accessibility best practices such as clear navigation, readable fonts, and keyboard-friendly forms to make giving easy for everyone.

Clear call-to-action

A strong call-to-action (CTA) directs visitors toward donating with clarity and urgency.

Design donation buttons with contrasting colors to stand out, ensuring they grab attention instantly. Implement a sticky donation button so users can contribute from any page without searching for it.

Use action-driven messaging like Support Now or Give a Meal Today to create emotional engagement. Strategically place CTAs on key pages including the homepage, product pages, and checkout to guide users through the donation process.

Finally, run A/B tests on button placement and wording to determine what resonates most with your audience and maximizes conversions.

Review analytics

Tracking and analyzing data is crucial for improving your nonprofit’s fundraising success. WooCommerce’s built-in analytics help you monitor donor behavior, identify drop-off points, and refine the donation process for higher conversions.

Track which fundraising products or campaigns generate the most engagement and optimize your marketing efforts accordingly. Use A/B testing to experiment with donation form layouts, messaging, and CTA placements to improve conversions.

Additionally, integrate tools like Google Analytics to gain deeper insights into visitor behavior, referral sources, and engagement metrics.

Elevate your WooCommerce nonprofit strategy today

WooCommerce empowers nonprofits with a sustainable, scalable solution to support their mission while driving revenue. With the right plugins, organizations can transform their online store into a powerful fundraising platform, seamlessly integrating donations, memberships, event ticketing, and more.

Barn2 offers a suite of trusted WooCommerce plugins designed to enhance nonprofit functionality. The WooCommerce Product Options plugin simplifies donation collection, allowing donors to contribute custom amounts directly on product pages.

Barn2 provides a 15% discount on all plugins for nonprofit organizations. Elevate your fundraising strategy and maximize your impact with the best tools available.