National Nonprofit Day 2025: 10 creative ways to celebrate

This year, don’t miss the opportunity to spotlight your mission and turn National Nonprofit Day into a campaign that builds awareness, rallies your community, and fuels lasting support for your cause.

Whether you’re looking for simple ways to join the conversation or planning something bigger, this guide covers everything you need to know about National Nonprofit Day—including 10 creative ideas to boost engagement and maximize your impact. 

Key takeaways

• National Nonprofit Day is celebrated every year on August 17 to honor the impact of nonprofits and the people who make their work possible.
• The holiday was founded in 2017 by Sherita J. Herring to raise awareness of nonprofits’ contributions and inspire public involvement. 
• It’s the perfect chance to spotlight your mission and spark engagement with creative ideas for every effort level—high, medium, and low.
• If you do nothing else, use the #NationalNonprofitDay hashtag on social media to join in and spread the word about your mission.
• National Nonprofit Day isn’t just about fundraising—it’s an opportunity to thank supporters, share impact, and connect with your community. 

What is National Nonprofit Day?

National Nonprofit Day is a celebration of nonprofits of all sizes and missions. It’s a day to honor the people and organizations creating change in their communities and to spotlight the impact of the nonprofit sector.Founded in 2017 by author and speaker Sherita J. Herring, it’s grown into a movement featuring events, awareness campaigns, and fundraising drives. 

When is National Nonprofit Day?

National Nonprofit Day is observed every year on August 17. The date was chosen to mark the 1894 Tariff Act, which recognized nonprofits’ value to communities by granting them exemption from federal income tax—a policy that still applies to registered 501(c)(3) organizations today.

Why should my nonprofit organization participate? 

Donors gave a record-breaking $3.6B on Giving Tuesday in 2024, signaling a strong upward trend in charitable giving. Though National Nonprofit Day is newer, it’s rapidly becoming a prime opportunity for charitable organizations to celebrate their impact—and build momentum for their cause.

People are drawn to giving opportunities that feel intentional and to something significant, like a national holiday. When your nonprofit participates in National Nonprofit Day, you can:

• Expand your reach
• Spread your mission
• Attract new donors
• Mobilize existing supporters 

10 ways to make the most of National Nonprofit Day

Wondering how to celebrate National Nonprofit Day? August 17 is your chance to join a nationwide movement, connect with your community, and spotlight your mission. Whether you start small or go big, these 10 ideas—organized by effort level—will help you spark engagement, thank supporters, and inspire action.

1. Get social 📱

💪 Effort level: Low

Social media for nonprofits isn’t just about donation appeals—it’s a chance to spark authentic connection. On National Nonprofit Day, join the conversation by using the #NationalNonprofitDay hashtag and sharing posts that celebrate your community members and mission in ways that invite people to participate.

Pick your favorite platform—Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or even TikTok—and try these ideas:

• Post a memory 📸 Ask followers to share a favorite memory from your organization. Bonus points if they include a photo. 
• Tag an inspiration 🎥 Encourage supporters to tag someone who inspires them and is connected to your mission—whether it’s a volunteer, donor, staff member, or someone making waves in your cause area.

⚡ Example: A wildlife rescue nonprofit posts an appreciation shoutout for a leader in the environmental field. They invite followers to do the same, repost responses to their Instagram Story, and save them to a “Community” highlight so the celebration keeps going.

2. Show appreciation 🤩

💪 Effort level: Low to medium 

National Nonprofit Day is a perfect time for direct, personal thank-yous to the people who make your work possible. Focus on outreach that feels intimate and genuine: handwritten notes, personalized emails, or quick phone calls.

⚡ Example: Send donors a heartfelt thank-you letter sharing a specific project they helped fund, or deliver a small gift to a volunteer with a note from your team.

💡 Pro tip: If you do post publicly, pair it with a private thank-you so supporters feel seen both personally and publicly.

Dive deeper

Show that you care with 10+ donor appreciation ideas →

3. Mobilize volunteers 💛

💪 Effort level: Medium to high

Volunteers make up over one-third of the nonprofit workforce. National Nonprofit Day offers a perfect opportunity to recruit volunteers, strengthen connections, and practice good volunteer management. 

Host a “Bring Your Friend to Volunteer” day, or spotlight individual volunteers with social media posts highlighting:  

• Reasons for involvement 🧠 Share how volunteers found your organization and what inspired them to get involved. 
• Volunteer Impact 🤗 Show the tangible difference volunteers have made (e.g., volunteer-led programs or events).

⚡ Example: Organize a day where each current volunteer invites one friend, family member, or coworker to join them for a shift. Kick things off with a short welcome and mission overview, pair newcomers with experienced volunteers, and wrap up with a casual thank-you lunch or coffee. Send everyone home with a small branded gift (like a sticker or tote) and provide an easy sign-up link for future opportunities. 

💡 Pro tip: Encourage your volunteers to share appreciation posts with their network and ask them to use the #NationalNonprofitDay hashtag. 

4. Share impact 🏆

💪 Effort level: Medium

Showcase your life-changing work and accomplishments through real examples. The more compelling details you provide, the more likely you are to inspire action. 

If you’re ready to spread the word, give these ideas a try: 

• Create a year in review 🔍 Highlight your most memorable stats and proudest achievements from this year’s nonprofit impact report in a blog post, short pamphlet, or email. 
• Instagram carousel 🎠 Share eye-catching statistics, beneficiary testimonials, and impactful photographs in a swipeable social media post. 

⚡ Example: Turn your most impressive stats and accomplishments into a two-page Year in Review. Send it out in an email blast and highlight it on your website. Repurpose that information into Canva graphics to share as an Instagram carousel. 

💡 Pro tip: With Givebutter’s campaign update features and email marketing software, you can feel confident your content will always reach the right audience. 

5. Kick off a fundraising campaign 💸

💪 Effort level: Medium to high

Build momentum with a fundraising campaign that starts on National Nonprofit Day and ends on Giving Tuesday. Peer-to-peer fundraising can be very effective for growing your network, but if you don’t have that bandwidth, try one of these lower-lift options. 

Launch an email campaign or host a simple fundraising event like a bake sale, sports fundraiser, or scavenger hunt—set a fundraising target so supporters can see what they’re working toward. 

⚡Example: A children’s sports team launches an email fundraiser on National Nonprofit Day. They state their goal of raising $3K for new uniforms by Giving Tuesday. They share social media updates and include a fundraising thermometer on their website to encourage giving. 

💡 Pro tip: Givebutter helps you create a customized fundraising page and launch a winning campaign in just minutes. 

Learn more

Learn how to plan your most impactful giving day yet →

6. Empower advocates 📣

💪 Effort level: Medium

Deepen mission-engagement beyond your nonprofit. Provide specific, actionable information so supporters can get involved with efforts related to your cause.

Create a templated letter to Congress that supporters can send, highlight other local opportunities for social involvement, or offer a toolkit for digital advocacy. (Psst–Givebutter’s Canva integration is ideal for creating branded emails.)

⚡Example: A women’s rights nonprofit group puts together a branded advocacy pack with details on a local donation drive, volunteer opportunities at a women’s homeless shelter, and a template letter to Congress advocating for more women’s international aid. 

💡 Pro tip: Keep it easy and realistic: Focus on actions that supporters can complete in 10 minutes or less.

7. Host a virtual 101 👨‍🏫

💪 Effort level: Medium

Deepen engagement with new supporters by hosting a livestreaming event. Introduce your mission, showcase your impact, and share easy ways to get involved. 

Invite your leaders, volunteers, and beneficiaries to speak, giving attendees an in-depth look at your work. Close out with a calendar of upcoming opportunities and actionable next steps—then check in after the event to answer any questions. 

⚡ Example: An environmental clean-up nonprofit organizes a virtual 30-minute “Volunteer 101.” Their founder shares why she started the organization, a board member presents current environmental challenges and solutions, and a volunteer shares their personal story. 

💡 Pro tip: Send a follow-up email after your virtual 101 with links, events, resources, and opportunities so it’s easy to take next steps. 

8. Run a donor thankathon 👐

💪 Effort level: Medium

A thankathon is a concentrated burst of gratitude. Set aside one afternoon to personally thank as many donors, volunteers, and partners as possible via phone or video. Use a simple script so calls stay heartfelt but efficient.

In the Donor Appreciation Power Hour webinar, fundraising expert Stephanie Barnhill shares the three steps to a successful thank-you call:

1. Introduce yourself warmly and confidently. 
2. Share a heartfelt thank you for their specific support—donating, volunteering, attending an event.
3. Explain what they’ve helped your organization achieve and invite continued involvement. 

⚡ Example: An arts-based nonprofit sets aside one afternoon to call everyone who has volunteered or donated in the last year. Whether directly or through voicemail, they thank each supporter, share stories of recent successes, and provide opportunities for further involvement. 

💡 Pro tip: Use Givebutter’s robust CRM to keep track of conversations had with donors—no more juggling sticky notes and spreadsheets. 

Freebie alert!

Say thank you with a free donor phone call script ->

9. Partner with a business for a giveback day 👨‍💼 

💪 Effort level: High

Over the past three years, the number of Russell 1000 companies offering corporate matching gifts grew by 11%. Tap into this momentum—encourage giving, stretch donations further, and build ties with the business community through corporate sponsorship. 

Ask local coffee shops, bookstores, gyms, or boutiques to donate a percentage of their sales on August 17. Or, you could write a raffle prize donation request for a future fundraising event. 

⚡ Example: A local nonprofit providing school supplies to low-income kids partners with a small bakery. On National Nonprofit Day, the bakery donates 10% of sales, while the nonprofit publicly thanks them on their website and Instagram—boosting visibility for both. 

 💡 Pro tip: Always share your appreciation for corporate partners with website, social media, or in-print recognition. It not only shows gratitude but encourages future collaboration. 

10. Launch a donor or staff recognition award 🥇

💪 Effort level: Low to medium

Honor a team member or supporter who’s gone above and beyond for your organization. Make your award presentation personable, memorable, and shareable. 

Ways to do this include: 

• Plaque or certificate 📜 Host a small ceremony and present a personalized award. Share the announcement on social media to make the celebration even bigger. 
• Surprise video 📹 Surprise your recipient with a video of personal thank-you messages from your team and beneficiaries. 

⚡ Example: A mid-sized nonprofit launches three recognition awards: Employee of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Supporter of the Year. They livestream the small ceremony, present winners with a framed certificate and a gift card, and highlight each recipient in a dedicated social media post. 

💡 Pro tip: Name the award after a special member, founder, or one of your nonprofit’s core values to add meaning. 

More to explore

Show gratitude with 10+ donor gift ideas for every budget →

Use Givebutter to crush it this National Nonprofit Day 

National Nonprofit Day is a perfect opportunity to spotlight your mission, thank your supporters, and rally your community. No matter how you choose to celebrate, it never hurts to have a place where people can give. Creating a fundraising page means you can collect donations, share your story, and keep the momentum going—all from one link.

With Givebutter, you can set up a beautiful, mobile-friendly fundraising page in minutes. It’s quick, free, and not too late to start before August 17.

Don’t let August 17 pass you by. Sign up for free today and give your supporters an easy way to take action this National Nonprofit Day.