Not all donation forms serve the same purpose. A form used to collect online donations is different from one used by nonprofits to apply for funding or track in kind contributions. Understanding these differences is an integral component to building an effective nonprofit fundraising strategy.
This guide covers the most common types of donation forms, when to use each, and how to create them efficiently.
What Are Donation Forms?
They are used in different ways depending on the situation:
- Donors use donation forms to give money
- Nonprofits use forms to apply for funding or sponsorships
- Organizations use forms to collect goods, services, or pledges
While the format may vary, the goal is the same: to create a consistent, organized way to manage fundraising interactions.
Types of Donation Forms for Nonprofits
Standard Donation Form
A standard online donation form is used to collect monetary contributions from supporters.
This is typically the primary form on a nonprofit’s website or campaign page. It allows donors to select an amount, enter their information, and complete a payment in one flow.
When designed well, it is simple, mobile-friendly, and requires minimal effort to complete, making it effective for everyday fundraising.
Explore this nonprofit donation form template to see it in action.
Donation Request Form
These forms standardize how requests are submitted, making it easier for organizations to review and evaluate them consistently. Instead of managing emails or attachments, companies collect structured information in one place.
Common fields include organization details, nonprofit status, the purpose of the request, and how the donation will be used. Many companies now use online forms, like this donation request form template, instead of static documents to simplify submission and tracking.
In Kind Donation Form
An in kind donation form is used to collect non-monetary contributions such as goods or services.
This type of form is commonly used for auctions, events, or school supply drives, where donors contribute items instead of money. It helps capture important details like item descriptions, estimated value, and donor information, ensuring contributions are properly tracked, acknowledged, and, when needed, documented for reporting purposes.
Get a closer look at how it can be structured with this in kind donation form template.
Are in kind donations tax deductible?
Including detailed item descriptions in an in-kind donation form helps ensure accurate acknowledgment and record keeping.
Event Donation Form
Event donation forms are commonly used for galas, school fundraisers, golf tournaments, and community events where attendees may need to register, purchase tickets, or contribute at different levels. For example, a gala form might include ticket tiers, table sponsorships, and an optional donation, while a school fundraiser might combine event registration with add-on contributions.
By consolidating these elements into one place, event donation forms make it easier to manage registrations, track contributions, and reduce manual coordination.
Recurring Donation Form
A recurring donation form allows donors to set up automatic, ongoing contributions.
Instead of making a one-time donation, supporters can choose to give on a monthly or scheduled basis. This helps nonprofits build more predictable revenue over time and creates a more stable foundation for planning and growth.
Recurring giving programs are especially effective for organizations looking to increase donor lifetime value and reduce the need for constant new donor acquisition. With the right set up, like in this recurring donation form template, they can turn one-time supporters into long-term contributors.
Pledge Donation Form
A pledge donation form is used to capture a commitment to donate at a future date.
It allows donors to promise a contribution now and fulfill it later, often based on an event or outcome. This is commonly used for campaigns, large donations, or performance-based fundraisers.
For example, in athon fundraisers, donors often pledge an amount based on performance, like a dollar amount per lap or per activity completed, and fulfill the donation after the event. This walkathon template helps illustrate how pledge-based fundraising works in practice.
Pledge vs. Donate. What’s the difference?
Pledges are often used for large campaigns, events, or peer-to-peer fundraising efforts, while standard donations are processed at the time of giving. Both play important roles in nonprofit fundraising strategies.
When to Use Each Donation Form
The Easiest Way to Create Donation Forms
Cheddar Up allows organizations to create customizable online donation pages that collect both payments and information in a single flow. Donors can complete transactions without creating an account, reducing friction and improving completion rates.
With Cheddar Up, you can:
- Create donation forms for payments, requests, pledges, and in kind contributions
- Accept credit cards, eChecks, and digital wallet payments
- Enable recurring donations for ongoing fundraising
- Track all donations and form responses automatically in one place
- Share forms via link, email, or QR code
This allows nonprofits to streamline fundraising, reduce manual work, and provide a frictionless donor experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a donation form?
What is an online donation form?
How do I create a donation form online?
What should a donation form include?
What is the difference between a donation form and a donation request form?
How do nonprofits ask companies for donations?
Field Trip Permission Slip and Waiver, Signed Online
The field trip is booked and the bus is reserved. Now you need a signed field trip permission slip back from every family, and often a waiver too. Collect those on paper, and you spend the week before the trip digging slips out of backpacks and reading half-blank forms.
There is a simpler way. This guide shows how to collect a field trip permission slip and waiver online. An online field trip permission slip is a parent’s consent form completed and signed on a phone or computer instead of on paper. A parent or guardian opens it on their phone, reviews the trip details, and agrees to let their child attend. The moment they submit, the signed slip is recorded for you. A permission slip gives consent. It confirms that a parent or guardian knows about the trip and gives their child permission to attend. A waiver focuses on risk, asking families to acknowledge hazards tied to activities like swimming or an overnight camp.
For a trip to the local library, a permission slip may be all you need. For something with higher physical risk, like an indoor trampoline park, ask your school whether a waiver is required as well.
45+ Homecoming Ideas: Best Dance Themes & Hoco Activities
No need for frantic, glitter-fueled chaos leading up to hoco. If you’re ready to tackle homecoming week in the most legendary way possible, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got over 45 homecoming ideas that will certainly make this year’s dance the best one yet!
From enchanted forest dance floors to halftime competitions that get the whole stadium on its feet, we’ve packed every idea with easy-to-follow details you can act on right now. You’ll also find homecoming planning shortcuts for ticket sales, event management, volunteer coordination, and hoco fundraising so the behind-the-scenes work doesn’t steal all the fun.
Ready to kick off the celebration with the most amazing homecoming activities, themes, and ideas? Let’s get this show on the road! Whether you’re a student council member, faculty advisor, or a spirited student looking to contribute, this guide is packed with creative ideas and fun-filled hoco activities to make your event a smashing success.
You’ll notice that this guide is separated by different aspects of homecoming week, including homecoming themes, games, and must-do activities. From dance decorations to homecoming fundraising, we cover it all!
Let’s start strong with homecoming dance theme ideas to help you set the stage for a perfect evening.
A First Timer’s Guide to Room Parent Duties
First, from all the parents, teachers, and caregivers out there, thank you for stepping up! It plays a vital role in any successful classroom and is much appreciated.
The room parent is the liaison between the teacher and the parents of the students. They will often assist in PTA fundraising, announcements, and initiatives. Successful communication between these groups enhances the classroom experience for both students and parents by fostering an engaged learning environment.The room parent is the liaison between the teacher and the parents of the students. They will often assist in PTA fundraising, announcements, and initiatives. Successful communication between these groups enhances the classroom experience for both students and parents by fostering an engaged learning environment.
From all the parents, teachers, and caregivers out there, thank you for stepping up! It plays a vital role in any successful classroom and is much appreciated.
How One PTO Raised $17K+ with a School Color Run
Melissa Knox is part of the CECA PTO at a TK-8 charter school in California. While her role focuses on social media and communications, she ended up taking the lead on one of the school’s biggest fundraisers: a Color Run Against Cancer.
The idea started with the school principal, who had previously helped organize a district-wide runathon for the American Cancer Society. The event had a great mission, but because it was held on a Saturday, turnout was low and fundraising results were limited.
The PTO saw a chance to make the event easier for families to join. Instead of asking students and parents to show up on the weekend, they brought the event right to campus during the school day. That way, every student could participate, whether they fundraised or not.
The first year, the school hosted a fun run. The next year, they added color powder and turned it into a full color run. It was simple, exciting, and easy for kids to love.
The fundraiser also tied into a larger message around healthy living. Since a portion of the money supported the American Cancer Society, Melissa and the PTO chose prizes that encouraged kids to get outside and stay active.
Incentives included jump ropes, sports balls, smoothie shop gift cards, roller rink passes, bowling gift cards, and other activity-based rewards. Every student also received a pair of sunglasses donated by a local orthodontist, so every child walked away with something fun.
