Fundraising Glossary: Key Terms for Nonprofits (2026)
Fundraising has its own language, and it's easy to lose track of what everything means, especially if you're new to running events or campaigns. This glossary explains the terms nonprofits, schools, and charities run into most often, in plain English.
Jump to a section: A–C · D–G · H–L · M–P · Q–T · U–Z
A–C
Analytics
Data and metrics used to track fundraising performance — such as total funds raised, donor participation, and bidding activity.
Annual Giving
Donations collected from supporters on a recurring yearly basis, typically used for general operating support rather than a specific project.
Appeal
A direct request for donations, usually made through a marketing campaign, letter, email, or during an event.
Auction
A fundraising format where supporters bid on donated items or experiences, with the highest bidder winning. See also: Silent Auction, Live Auction.
Campaign Health Check
A review of a fundraising campaign's setup — pricing, item descriptions, promotion — to identify ways to improve results before or during a campaign.
Charity Auction
An auction run specifically to raise money for a charitable cause, often using donated or consignment items.
Compliance (PCI Compliance)
Adherence to security standards (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) that protect donor payment data during transactions.
D–G
Direct Donation
A one-time or recurring financial contribution made straight to a nonprofit, with or without attending an event.
Donor Management System (DMS)
Software nonprofits use to track donor information, giving history, and communication preferences.
Donor Engagement
The strategies used to keep donors connected to and involved with a nonprofit's mission over time.
Fundraising Gamification
The use of game-like elements — leaderboards, progress bars, donation thermometers — to increase donor participation and engagement.
Gift Matching
A corporate program where a company matches donations made by its employees, effectively doubling the gift.
H–L
Hybrid Fundraiser
An event that combines in-person and virtual participation, allowing remote supporters to take part alongside attendees on-site.
Impact Report
A summary shared with donors explaining how funds raised were used and what they achieved.
In-Kind Donation
A non-monetary contribution - goods or services rather than money, donated to support an event or cause.
Leaderboard
A live display showing top donors, highest bidders, or progress toward a fundraising goal.
Live Auction
An auction led by a host or auctioneer, with bids called out and accepted in real time, typically the centerpiece of a gala or in-person event, used for a small number of high-value items.
M–P
Matching Gift
See Gift Matching — a corporate program that matches employee donations.
Mobile Bidding
The ability for auction participants to place bids from a smartphone or tablet rather than a paper bid sheet.
Nonprofit CRM (Constituent Relationship Management)
Software used to manage donor relationships and track giving history, similar to a Donor Management System.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising (P2P)
A fundraising model where individual supporters create their own fundraising pages and ask their personal networks to donate on behalf of a cause.
Pledge
A commitment to donate a specified amount at a future date, rather than paying immediately.
Progress Bar
A visual indicator showing how close a campaign is to reaching its fundraising goal.
Q–T
QR Code (Quick Response Code)
A scannable code that links directly to a donation page, ticket purchase, or bidding page — commonly printed on event signage or bid sheets.
Recurring Donations
Ongoing contributions made automatically on a set schedule, such as monthly or annually.
Silent Auction
An auction where bids are placed privately — on paper or through a digital platform — rather than called out publicly, with the highest bid at closing time winning. Read the full explainer: What Is a Silent Auction?
Sponsorship
Financial or in-kind support provided by a business or individual in exchange for visibility or promotion at an event.
Ticketing System
A platform used to sell and manage event tickets, including pricing tiers, check-in, and attendee tracking.
Tax Receipt
A document given to donors confirming their contribution, used for tax deduction purposes.
U–Z
Upselling
Encouraging supporters to increase their donation or upgrade their ticket during the checkout process.
Virtual Fundraiser
An event held entirely online, with auctions, raffles, or donations all taking place digitally rather than in person.
Volunteer Management
The process of recruiting, organizing, and communicating with volunteers supporting an event or campaign.
Winning Bid
The highest bid placed on an auction item at the moment bidding closes.
Fundraising Terminology FAQ
What is fundraising terminology?
Fundraising terminology refers to the specific words and phrases used by nonprofits, charities, and event organizers to describe donation methods, event formats, and donor management practices — such as "pledge," "in-kind donation," or "peer-to-peer fundraising."
What's the difference between a silent auction and a live auction?
A silent auction collects bids privately (on paper or online) over a set period, while a live auction is run in real time by a host or auctioneer calling out bids aloud.
What does "in-kind donation" mean?
An in-kind donation is a non-cash contribution — goods, services, or expertise — given to support a cause, as opposed to a monetary gift.