Generate revenue for your NPO through online sales

The nonprofit world is very competitive. For many NPOs, grants, donations, and membership fees are no longer enough to carry out their mission and keep the organization afloat. That's why developing different sources of revenue is essential, such as implementing online sales, whether they be  one-time or recurring. Let's take a look at how your organization can benefit from operating a nonprofit online store and how to successfully implement this  strategy! 

Can NPOs sell merchandise? 

Yes, the government website states that "nonprofit organizations are free to conduct the same activities as corporations."

For more information from the tax authorities in regard to  your rights and obligations, we invite you to read this article: Are all not-for-profit corporations the same?

Why consider online sales as an NPO?

Ecommerce continues to grow. According to a report by Retail Insider, online sales in Canada will reach $79.8 billion in 2022 and $104 billion in 2025. 

A nonprofit online store offers a complementary and regular source of income that can help you finance your NPO. It can be a store where you sell merchandise related to your activity.

Integrate your online sales into your overall strategy

To be solid, your organization's fundraising strategy should  be based on a variety of revenue streams. Online sales is one of them, and you can combine it with other sources of revenue: memberships, donations, events, etc.

The advantage of online sales is that you can expand your contacts list and then incorporate them into future marketing campaigns to further support your mission. 

What to sell as an NPO

Ideally, the items and products you put online should be related to your organization's mission. If your organization is dedicated to the environment, selling sustainable water bottles might be a good idea! 

To find out what your community would be willing to buy from you, there is nothing better than a survey where you ask them what they'd be interested in. Among the classic promotional items that NPOs sell are sweaters, coffee mugs, pens, notebooks and other items that many use on a daily basis.

How to set the price of your products

Whatever you choose to sell, it is important to take into account the costs of purchasing, manufacturing and shipping. Logistics must be easy to set up and, above all, it must be profitable. 

Before defining your pricing strategy, learn about the prices and practices of other organizations like yours. Also, take the time to calculate the costs involved in this new activity, and then determine a reasonable level of profit you can achieve by selling your goods.

Using Yapla's new online store feature will save you transaction fees and keep your store connected to all the rest of your operations on Yapla, from memberships to events, communications, accounting and more.

Choosing an online store platform for your NPO 

There are a wide range of tools available to allow you to sell goods and services online. Before choosing one tool over another, it's important to consider several elements. The best online sales platform for your NPO is the one that offers sufficient functionalities and low or non-existent commissions.

• A platform with low or no commissions
• An efficient follow-up and management of your sales
• Quality and readily-available support service
• Secure online payments

Yapla, the all-in-one payment and management platform for your NPO

Yapla is a platform used by tens of thousands of NPOs to simplify their daily work.

"Yapla allowed us to simplify the sales process. The order forms, the invoices... everything is centralized, and moreover, there are no costs for the association " Gautier Gildas, Vice President of the Football club Etoile Mouzillonnaise.

Want more information on how to set up your online store? Visit our how to article.

Create an account

How to promote your sales page?

Promoting your online store can help you increase sales and improve your fundraising outcomes. Use your organization's social media pages to draw your community to your page. 

You can also send email campaigns to advertise your store and promote sales. Explain in your emails how making a purchase benefits your organization and reinforce how all sales support your mission in. 

Setting up an online store can be a valuable part of a multi-faceted fundraising strategy for charitable organizations. In particular, it allows donors to fund your organization while getting something in return. 

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Solène, marketing manager