Every Nonprofit Is Fundraising. Here’s How to Stand Out and Still Be a Great Neighbor

Every nonprofit in town is fundraising. How do we stand out without competing with the organizations we love?

Great question. And other than hiring a ridiculously good looking clean comedian…(Hi. It’s me. I’m the joke.)

But truly, this is one of the most honest and thoughtful questions I hear from nonprofit leaders.

Every nonprofit in town is raising money. Everyone is hosting events. Everyone has a banquet on the calendar. And many of us share the same donors, churches, volunteers, and friends. So how do we stand out without stepping on toes, burning bridges, or acting like we’re in competition with organizations we genuinely love and respect?

Here’s the encouraging truth. Standing out and being a great neighbor are not opposites. In fact, when it’s done well, they actually go hand in hand.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that standing out means standing against someone else. Bigger. Louder. More emotional. More urgent. But when everyone turns the volume up, the community doesn’t feel inspired. They feel overwhelmed.

Standing out isn’t about saying we’re better than anyone else. It’s about clearly saying who we are, who we serve, and why our work matters. The nonprofits that earn the most trust aren’t the ones shouting for attention. They’re the ones who are clear, confident, and consistent.

Clarity is one of the greatest gifts you can give a donor. When people understand your lane, they don’t feel pressured or confused. They feel confident. Confusion creates comparison. Clarity builds loyalty. And interestingly enough, clarity actually makes it easier for donors to support multiple nonprofits, because they understand the unique role each organization plays in the community.

This comes up constantly when we talk about fundraising events and banquets. Many events don’t fail because the cause isn’t worthy. They struggle because they feel familiar in all the wrong ways. Same schedule. Same flow. Same kind of ask. Same emotional arc.

When leaders say their banquet didn’t stand out, what they usually mean is that it looked and felt like everyone else’s banquet, just with a different logo on the screen.

Standing out doesn’t require gimmicks or flash. It requires thoughtful design. Great events respect a donor’s time. They tell a clear story. They create moments of joy and meaning. They invite generosity instead of pressuring it. And yes, this is where humor can be incredibly powerful. Laughter lowers defenses. It builds connection. It helps people hear the mission without feeling emotionally pushed.

Once again, this is where a ridiculously good looking clean comedian can be helpful. I’m just saying.

Another overlooked way to stand out is to be publicly gracious toward other nonprofits. Speak well of them from the stage. Mention them positively in meetings. Celebrate their wins when you can. Donors notice that. Confidence is attractive. Scarcity language is not.

When an organization is generous with praise, it communicates security, not competition. It reminds everyone that generosity is not a zero sum game. Ironically, the nonprofits that cheer for others are often the ones donors trust the most.

It’s also worth saying this out loud. You do not need to be everything to everyone. When a nonprofit tries to serve every audience, host every type of event, and appeal to every donor, the message gets diluted and the space gets crowded.

But when you confidently say, this is who we serve and this is how we serve them best, you actually create room for other nonprofits to thrive as well. Healthy communities aren’t built on duplication. They’re built on complementary strengths.

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to win the town. The goal is to serve it well.

The nonprofits that truly stand out over time aren’t the flashiest. They’re the ones who know who they are, treat donors with respect, design thoughtful events, speak well of others, and consistently deliver on their mission.

When you do that, donors don’t see competition. They see leadership.

And if you ever want help thinking through how to design events, banquets, or comedy nights that genuinely feel different while still honoring your neighbors, I’d love to help.

Signed,

Ridiculously good looking clean comedian