Nonprofits are always searching for new ways to diversify funding, expand their reach, and engage supporters. While grants and donations remain essential, there’s an often-overlooked strategy that blends partnership, awareness, and sustainability: affiliate marketing for nonprofits.

If you’ve ever wondered “Can nonprofits run affiliate programs?” — the answer is yes. In fact, affiliate marketing can be re-framed as a powerful form of community-driven fundraising. This guide will walk you through what it looks like, how to set up a nonprofit affiliate program, and the tools you’ll need to get started.

What Is Affiliate Marketing for Nonprofits?

Traditionally, affiliate marketing is used in the business world: a company pays a commission to individuals or partners who help drive sales. For nonprofits, this same model can be applied to fundraising and awareness.

Think of it as affiliate fundraising programs:

Supporters, influencers, or partners share your nonprofit’s mission with their networks.
When someone donates, registers, or purchases through their unique link, your nonprofit tracks it.
The affiliate receives a reward (this could be a small commission, recognition, or even a non-monetary perk).

Instead of being purely transactional, affiliate marketing for nonprofits becomes a way to incentivize community engagement while growing your impact.

Why Launch a Nonprofit Affiliate Program?

A well-run affiliate program for nonprofits can:

Expand reach: Leverage networks of passionate supporters, influencers, and organizations.
Diversify income: Move beyond donations and grants with a scalable channel.
Build partnerships: Strengthen relationships with businesses, ambassadors, and like-minded creators.
Track impact: Unlike some campaigns, affiliate programs offer clear data on conversions and ROI.

It’s especially powerful for sustainable businesses, women- and minority-led organizations, and social enterprises that thrive on authentic, community-driven storytelling.

How to Set Up a Nonprofit Affiliate Marketing Strategy

Launching an affiliate program for nonprofits doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are the key steps:

1. Define Your Goals

Is the goal donations, new memberships, event sign-ups, or product sales (merch, courses, etc.)?
How will you measure success — awareness, funds raised, or both?

2. Identify Your Affiliates

Consider:

Influencers aligned with your mission (eco-friendly, social justice, wellness, etc.)
Loyal donors and volunteers
Businesses that share your values
Student groups, local organizations, or community leaders

3. Create Affiliate Commission Structures for Nonprofits

Unlike traditional e-commerce programs, commissions don’t always need to be cash. Options include:

A percentage of funds raised (monetary commission)
Recognition on your website or annual report
Exclusive access to events
Branded merchandise or perks

The key is to make affiliates feel valued and aligned with your mission.

4. Choose a Platform or Tracking Tool

You can start with simple tools like Google Sheets, or use software designed for affiliate programs (CJ, Impact, or even low-cost nonprofit CRMs with referral add-ons).

5. Provide Resources

Affiliates are more effective when they have tools:

Nonprofit affiliate program template: Pre-written social media captions, graphics, or email templates.
Branded campaign briefs
Clear onboarding instructions

6. Launch, Track, and Refine

Track clicks, donations, and sign-ups. Regularly share updates with affiliates and celebrate wins to keep them engaged.

Examples of Nonprofit Affiliate Partnerships

Here are a few ways nonprofit affiliate partnerships can look in action:

Eco Nonprofit + Sustainable Brand: A nonprofit focused on ocean conservation partners with an eco-brand. Affiliates promote both the brand’s product and the nonprofit’s donation page, creating a cycle of impact.
Local Nonprofit + Community Influencer: A regional nonprofit recruits a wellness influencer to share their campaign. The influencer’s unique link tracks donations raised during a giving drive.
National Nonprofit + Corporate Partner: A larger nonprofit launches an affiliate fundraising program with employee ambassadors who share referral links during a holiday campaign.

These examples show how flexible affiliate models can be when adapted to nonprofit missions.

Common Questions About Nonprofit Affiliate Programs

Can Nonprofits Run Affiliate Programs?

Yes. While affiliate marketing is traditionally associated with ecommerce, nonprofits can absolutely run affiliate programs — they just need to adapt the model for donations and fundraising.

How Much Should Affiliates Earn?

There’s no one-size-fits-all. Some nonprofits offer small cash commissions, while others reward affiliates with recognition or perks. The most important factor is alignment with your mission.

Do You Need a Big Budget to Start?

Not at all. Many nonprofits begin with simple spreadsheets and grow into more advanced software as the program scales. And remember—you only spend more money when you earn more money.

Getting Started: Your Affiliate Fundraising Toolkit

Starting from scratch can feel overwhelming — which is why having templates and checklists can save time. A nonprofit affiliate program template might include:

Outreach email scripts
A campaign brief example
Editable affiliate terms and agreements
A starter tracking sheet

fairwell offers a ready-to-use Nonprofit Affiliate Program Starter Kit with everything you need to launch your first affiliate fundraising program quickly and confidently. And if you’d rather not take matters into your own hands, at fairwell, we also offer full service Nonprofit Affiliate Marketing Program Management. If you’d like to learn more, feel free to reach out directly.

Final Thoughts

Affiliate marketing for nonprofits is more than a trend — it’s a chance to turn your community into advocates, expand your reach, and create sustainable funding streams. By launching a thoughtful nonprofit affiliate program, you can inspire supporters to take ownership of your mission while amplifying impact.

It’s time to see affiliate marketing not just as a business tool, but as a powerful strategy for fundraising and social good.

Affiliate Marketing for Nonprofits: A Complete Guide