Online Ticket Sales for Nonprofits

Last year, nonprofit research showed that nonprofits reported 40% of their yearly income came solely from hosting fundraising events. That’s a significant portion of income depending on just one activity category, yet for some reason so many organizations out there rely on staff and volunteers to build the spreadsheets, print and distribute the tickets, and manually keep track of all the moving parts that make up a fundraiser themselves. Humans can only do so much, and a constant juggling of receipts, emails, and last minute changes is never sustainable. 

Now, raise your hand if you've ever had to reprint reams of tickets because the first round got lost or the new intern spilled their coffee on them. Or if you’ve had an intern build an RSVP list only to find on the day of the event that half of the guests' names are missing. 

These days, there’s no way around it, if you want to host a successful fundraising event, the answer is going digital. Digital ticket sales take the weight off of staff so they can focus their attention on other, more important things. As we move into 2026, selling tickets online has gone from something only the most technically advanced nonprofits did, to a standard practice across the field.

Thanks to the rise in popularity of free and low cost online ticketing platforms, it won’t take much for you to take the leap and sell tickets online. Modern organizations know how important it is to provide virtual accessibility to their supporters, with many nonprofits going as far as making their events accessible  both online and in person simultaneously. The latest systems provide features that let donors leave extra tips, cover donor costs themselves, or even purchase VIP upgrades and bonus add-ons with one simple click, offering another opportunity to raise more funds for your event. Groups that have embraced digital ticketing already report seeing a larger turnout, higher volume donations, and smoother running events.

Online ticket sales are your chance to sell admissions digitally and collect extra donations without having to put in any extra effort. The best part is events of any size, in person or online, can take advantage of these offerings. For nonprofits ready to simplify their fundraising events, Paybee has all of the tools you need to make registration, check-in, donating, and more processes you can do with your eyes closed. Contact our team today and let us make your next event your best one yet.

Understanding Online Ticketing for Nonprofit Events

Consider charity ticketing platforms as your all in one solution, taking care of everything from registration, to payments, to donor engagement. They let you create, track, and manage tickets online, and include the ability to let supporters that may not be able to participate (or those that may want to give a little more) the opportunity to easily donate to your cause. These web based platforms completely eliminate the need for paper tickets and convoluted manual tracking files– all of the things that make running a successful event harder than it needs to be.

These software solutions support virtually any event that requires supporters to pay to participate, whether online, in-person, or a combination of both. The beauty in these tools lies in their flexibility.

Most platforms offer these key components:

• Event Page – An easy to share, customizable space where supporters can view important details, reserve passes and easily complete any necessary registration tasks.
• Different Pass Types and Pricing options – The ability to set flexible access options like general admission, VIP, and early bird tickets and sponsor packages.
• Secure Payment Processing –  A straightforward checkout experience that can accept payments from both cards and digital wallets, and keeps both you and the purchasers data protected. 
• Registration Forms – Editable fields that let attendees fill in necessary information in addition to the usual personal details like dietary restrictions or seating preferences.
• Guest Management Tools – Features that let you see who has registered, checked in, and to whom you may need to send a reminder.
• Insightful Reporting Tools – They can show you attendance numbers, revenue, and donation totals in real time.

Electronic ticketing and other web based event management tools let your supporters sign up in minutes and lets admins see exactly what the numbers are as they roll in. With these free and low cost platforms at your fingertips, you can create a custom webpage that creates a special starting moment for registrars. Virtual ticketing programs elevate what was once a simple transaction into a full on experience– the one supporters come into contact with during their first interaction with your fundraising event. 

What Nonprofits Gain From Online Ticket Sales

Once you understand how these programs work, the benefits of using digital ticket systems becomes glaringly clear. And while they do make your nonprofit’s life so much easier, their benefits go far beyond convenience. A good one can be a powerful fundraising tool that helps your event see higher attendance numbers, lower administrative cost, and a huge increase in your average number of event earnings. 

You’ll reach more people without putting in any extra effort

When you take ticket sales online, you make it easy to discover by virtually anyone on the internet. General searches, social media sharing, and running ads lets your event show up across the web, far beyond your immediate network. You take away geographic barriers, so even people on the other side of the world can show their support. These hybrid models automatically amplify the number of participants you receive, without having to increase your event or staff size.

Expenses become more predictable and administrative costs go down

Rather than having to depend on print advertising (which adds up fast) or even paid advertising (which adds up even faster), you give people the chance to share what's going on amongst their own network. Many platforms even support email promotion and marketing, cutting costs even further. There are many low- or zero-fee options on the market, letting more dollars go directly to supporting your mission.

Integrated donations allows for additional revenue

These online platforms often allow built-in prompts that show up at checkout, presenting supporters with an opportunity to make an additional small donation. These optional add-ons can be set amounts, or simple options like rounding up the ticket total to the nearest dollar with the difference going to the cause. Even though small, these donations can add up to make a significant difference in overall event revenue.

They offer stronger data collection and insights

Having to keep track and process numbers manually leaves a lot of room for human error. Digital ticketing programs capture attendee numbers and donor information in one easy to access place. This lets you see which donors are your most frequent supporters, who is showing up for the first time, and who your high-value players are. This real-time visibility into revenue and registrations lets your team have the insight needed to make adjustments or change course- before your event even ends!

Nurture relationships with your donors

Event registration is one of the first interactions supporters are going to have with your event. Starting off with a smooth experience can affect whether or not they decide to have another one. A well designed page that provides all necessary information, is easy to navigate, and provides an overall professional experience can establish the credibility of your entire organization, not just the event itself. Use the page to link to other upcoming events or broader fundraising efforts. And after the event, recorded insights make it easy for you to send personalized follow ups to those who need it most.

These solutions all come with mobile-friendly accessibility, taking you right to your supporters rather than making them search for you. You’ll find doors open to a world of new supporters, all while cutting the usual costs that come along with hosting a fundraising event. The relief of knowing that your event is easy to access, data is automatically being tracked, and is set up in a way that gives your team the ultimate levels of support makes it obvious why virtual ticketing solutions are a no-brainer for nonprofits in 2026. When you find the best one for your team, you’ll find that it takes on so much of the heavy lifting that goes on behind the scenes. 

Ticketing Platforms Nonprofits are Using in 2026 

With so many options on the market, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when trying to choose the right one. Having the right information will prevent you from making a snap decision and walking away with something that doesn’t fit with your team. In addition to Paybee, there are several others like Zeffy and Givebutter, that stand out for their donor friendly features and ease of use. The best options will allow free access, be easy to use on a smartphone, and keep all donation options in one easy to see place. 

Here is a general review of the top platforms on the market.

• Paybee - Fundraising focused, Paybee is a one stop solution that provides event access, multiple donation tools, and donor engagement systems that work for you before, during, and after your event. 
• Zeffy –  A platform created explicitly for charitable organizations, its ‘donor covered’ fee model allows supporters to cover the cost of donating, letting the organization keep 100% of what they raise. 
• Givebutter - A popular software solution with excellent sharing tools, they provide comprehensive event set up, donation processing, and even support peer-to-peer campaigns all together on one single dashboard.
• Donorbox – Best for letting supporters set up recurring donations, Donorbox offers strong event access support and can smoothly integrate to your existing nonprofit website.
• TicketStripe – powered by Stripe, they provide lots of customization and branding options when it comes to check-out. It’s a little more advanced, making it ideal for teams that have an in-house tech support system.
• Eventbrite – A popular and long-established system, it has an easy to use check-in process. While their fees are on the higher end they offer a free tier for qualifying charities that lets you get around the notable service costs. 
• Brown Paper Tickets – Another oldie but goodie, this system boasts basic, straightforward tools. It doesn’t have the same tools most modern solutions have, but it is an excellent, lightweight option for small, simple events.

With so many options out there, deciding what works best for your organization will require you to assess your team's goals, budgets, and capabilities. By understanding what each solution offers, you can start to set up a simple yet effective system to sell event access online.

Setting Up Online Ticket Sales for Your Nonprofit 

All of this technical speak may have you overwhelmed– but getting started is easier than you think. These tools are made with that in mind, and can more or less all be set up in a single afternoon,

Step 1: Select the platform that best matches your fundraising goals.

Start your search by narrowing the list down to programs that are specifically geared towards nonprofits. Programs that provide supporter-covered costs will send more of the funds straight into your cause rather than eating into it. They should also offer more than just event access- look to see how well the solution handles things like donations, data tracking and reporting, and what follow-up options it provides. And finally, how does it look on a mobile phone?That's how most attendees will register, it should bee foolproof and straightforward.

Step 2: Create your Event page

This is where most teams start to overthink things. The secret is to just keep it simple. Make sure details like the event name, date, location, and purpose are the first things viewers encounter. Don’t overfluff what you're doing- be direct and transparent about what this event is supporting, and what  donor participation is doing to help. Swap out multiple images for 1-2 strong visuals to keep load time from lagging. A bonus tip is to include an FAQ somewhere easy to find, that way you save your inbox from being flooded with unnecessary questions.

Studies show that if supporters can comprehend the impact of their contribution within 10 seconds of learning about an event, they’re three times as likely to go through with registration. 

Step 3: Creating different pricing and access levels

Keep options for different access levels to a low number so purchasers don’t become overwhelmed with decision fatigue. Forgo clever or quirky names for clear titles like ‘Individual’, “Sponsor”, and "Supporter". Many softwares provide the option to add an additional donation field at the time of checkout, allowing your cause the chance to raise a few more dollars.  Some nonprofits find success when offering benefits through bonuses like early bird or bundle access.

Step 4: Curate a smooth checkout experience.

This is where small details can really make a big difference. Keep the form short by only asking for the information that you actually need. An easy to see message that reiterates the impact contributions have on your mission will keep people motivated and start to build excitement for your event. When available, set donor covered charges as the default, and leave the option for the registrant to turn it off at their own volition. And finally, test the flow from start to finish to experience the process from the supporters point of view.

Step 5: Start promoting across your established channels

This isn’t the time to reinvent the wheel- your current marketing strategy is already the best place to announce your event, Share the link through email, across all social media pages, and post about it on your nonprofit’s website. Take advantage of community networks by asking board members, volunteers, sponsors, and anyone else close to your group to help you spread the word. Don't forget to periodically send out reminders as the fundraiser gets closer, especially countdown posts as you get near the pricing deadline, with urgent phrases like “Limited space available”.

Step 6: Monitor and Adjust as you go

Keep track of how registration and donations are going so you can change your strategy if something isn’t right. If you notice registration slows down, maybe it’s time to send another friendly reminder or post a fresh update. Things like sharing past success stories, offering small incentives or spotlighting donors that have already committed to your fundraiser are all strategies that can help you breathe more life into a slow moving campaign.

Following this structured approach will start you on the path to a successful event. Most nonprofits already have everything they need to get started– the key is to be thoughtful in your planning and staying engaged throughout the entire process.

Getting the Most Out of Your Ticketing Setup 

These ticketing systems are all functional enough that almost anyone can operate them. However, selling tickets is just the beginning. From focused pricing strategies to clever upselling tricks, there are several small steps you can make that will elevate the entire ticket selling process. The most successful fundraisers use these to pull in more funds and cut workloads in small ways that add up to more for your mission. The moment people consider signing up, there are smart moves you can make that will enhance your budding relationship with potential supporters.

Offer bundled experiences packages. – Upsell to guests by providing packages that pair event access with things like digital perks, merchandise, or special experiences to encourage higher supporter contribution.

Stress urgency in timely sign ups – Countdown timers and alerts with messaging like “Only 12 VIP tickets left!” and “One week to go for early bird pricing!” motivates people to stop what they’re doing and register before they miss out.

Upsell during the registration process – Deliver the bonuses from the start. Suggest adding on branded merchandise, extra auction entries, or discount raffle tickets when people already have their wallets opened and their mind on your cause.

Lean into digital promotion –Digital ticket sales do best with digital promotion. Segment our recipient list into different groups based on similar factors like interest and donor level, and send specialized reminders to these special groups with things like upcoming deadline information. You might even consider offering special packages to your most loyal supporters.

Take advantage of peer-to-peer fundraising – Encourage people who have already committed to attending to share your event to their own personal networks. This can be as simple as having a pop up with a link they can share at the click of a button to show they’ve signed up to participate in your mission.

Seek out donation matchers – Many sponsors offer to match contributions during the registration period. Simply reach out to your largest sponsors and ask.

Don’t underestimate the power of post event follow up – Remember to send thank you emails to show appreciation and remind attendees how valued they are.This is also an opening to include optional giving options, making this moment of engagement yet another opportunity to generate extra revenue.

These tactics are all small moves that can help you make the most of the fundraising process. You don’t have to wait until your event to start earning. Every step is another chance to build a deeper relationship with your supporters, which is imperative to any nonprofit relationship. You don’t need to implement everything on this list, just 2-3 that work best for you will make a noticeable difference.

What’s Trending in Digital Ticket Sales  

2026 is going to be a big year for nonprofit fundraising events. Everyday, people are looking for ways to do more for the causes they care about, despite operating on limited time and resources. This means the charities that stay ahead of the curve and meet supporters where they are will outshine what they’ve accomplished in previous years. 

Here are a few of the trends we’re skiing this year:

1. More events taking on hybrid or fully virtual formats.

The world has gone digital, and events that open themselves up for both in person and remote participation have become the standard. Features such as remote livestreaming and  virtual bidding open you up to global participation, including those who can’t or prefer not to participate in person.

2. Focus on mobile-first experiences

Supporters today expect to be able to register and pay for access passes on their phones more so than over their desktop computers. By integrating one-click payment options like mobile wallets streamlines the entire checkout experience. More often than not, if someone has to get up to go find a physical card, their registration page will end up being abandoned before hitting ‘conform’. 

3. Contactless entry and access

Even in person interactions should be accessible with a smartphone. People really carry cash these days, make sure you are prepared with tools that let people redeem entry passes and make in person payments from their phones through tap to pay features.

4. Use AI analytics to your advantage

Artificial intelligence provides great smart tools that analyze supporter behavior and let you create tailored outreach and personalized donation suggestions. Smarter reporting and live updated dashboards let you know right away what is and isn’t working, so your team knows what to focus on and what to ditch at any minute of your event. 

5. Incorporate sustainable and eco-friendly practices

Greener practices always resonate with supporters. Reduce paper waste by going fully digital, or choosing sustainable materials when available can keep supporters (and budgets) happy. 

These trends are reflective of where supporters are– they want convenience, and they want to know that their time and efforts are going to waste. By making your event accessible on multiple levels, you provide people the option of choosing how  to participate, eliminating any barriers to access. 

Addressing Roadblocks in Online Ticketing

Let’s be honest: the internet isn’t perfect. Tech headaches, supporters getting stuck during registration, and hidden costs can all show up out of nowhere at any moment along the planning process. One thing has been proven time and again: with anticipation and thoughtful preparation these issues don’t have to derail your entire operation.

The most common challenge charities usually find are unanticipated charges that eat into revenue. Some programs sneak in high payment processing or service costs that you don’t see until it’s time to start retrieving your funds. Save your nonprofit's bottom line by researching which software allows charges to be covered by donors. There are plenty of low or zero cost options available to charities that appear with a quick search, including ones that encourage additional tips that help further offset cost.

Tech can be tricky, causing issues for not only supporters, but also for organizations that may not have the most tech savvy team on hand. Whatever program you choose, try running through it yourself from start to finish so that you can see things from the perspective of someone trying to access your event. Clear instructions, delivered directly on  user friendly platforms can also help smooth any potential hiccups. Consider providing a step-by-step guide or a quick instructional video, to further aid supporters who may have accessibility difficulties.

Even with online access, an event will still have low audience turnout if it’s not backed up with a strong promotional strategy or even if it has an overly complicated registration process. The registration process should be simple and straightforward, leaving no room for second guessing. Use email reminders and social media outreach to keep the event fresh in people's minds. Highlight the importance of your mission by showcasing perks and mission impact, peppering ‘urgency’ phrases to further motivate supporters

Another common roadblock nonprofits see when converting to online ticket sales is difficulty getting supporters to donate on top of the initial cost of event access. Difficulty collecting additional donations is extremely common for organizations. Encourage their generosity by creatively setting up more opportunities to give. Exclusive experiences, raffles, and bonus perks make people feel as though they are receiving something in return, making them more likely to contribute more.

Challenges don’t have to slow you down, pairing smart strategies with the right tools will provide you with all of the moves you need to get around them. 

Ticketing Success Stories from Nonprofits 

Seeing is believing, and looking at examples of other nonprofits who have successfully integrated online ticketing shows just how beneficial it could be for yours. These illustrative case studies show digital platforms in action, and just how they work to save time, raise funds, and engage deeper with supporters.

The Community Health Fund and Paybee

The Community Health Fund turned to Paybee to help organize a local charity walk to support community health programs. Their main priority was to get as many registrations as possible, and of course, donations. They got assistance creating a branded event page, but their big seller was special early bird ticket pricing, and exclusive sponsorship packages. They were even able to easily incorporate a ‘donor trip’ section at checkout, which ended up adding an extra 7% to the overall total. Registration was easy for both sponsors and participants, and the organization earned $15,000 for their cause.

Animal Rescue Alliance and Ziffy

In 2024, the Animal Rescue Alliance turned to Zeffy to help them turn thor annual in-person event to a hybrid one. They chose the platform mainly because of its donor covered fee features, letting every dollar earned stay within the mission. The platform's mobile friendly registration and smart donation prompts saw more successful complete registrations than the years prior. Their hybrid gala raked in over $12,000, a 25% increase spread across multiple donation streams. Not only were they able to raise more, they saved on hours of administrative work while expanding their support base to people across the country. 

Books for All and Givebutter

Books for All, a nonprofit geared towards increasing literacy among underserved communities, struggled to find a way to increase online participation for an online auction. Using Givebutter, they saw that despite initial numbers being high, registration had slowed to almost a complete standstill. They decided to focus on using the platform's easy to use social sharing features, to encourage supporters to get their bids in before the deadline. Paired with email reminders, registration picked up almost right wavy. They ended up adding an extra 300 participants in the final two weeks.

Whether a widespread hybrid gala or a local community run, these online services can work for any fundraising event. Your nonprofit can take the lessons learned here and apply it to your own mission.

Frequently Asked…

1. What are the best platforms for virtual ticket sales for nonprofits?

Some of the top 2026 platforms include Paybee, Zeffy, Givebutter, and Donorbox. They all offer free or low cost opticians, donor covered charges and varying features like custom event pages or multiple ticket tiers. The right platform for you will depend on the size of the event, what type of fundraiser it is, and the needs of your unique supporters.

2. How can nonprofits collect donations with ticket sales?

A lot of platforms choose to implement extra donation options straight into the registration process, making it possible for attendees to give a little extra while buying their tickets. Look for platforms that let you add sponsor packages, donation prompts or other optional add-ons after checkout. 

3. Is there free online ticket sales for nonprofits?

Yes! Platforms like Givebutter offer completely free ticketing for nonprofits because they can let supporters volunteer to cover the platform charges.

4. What fees are involved in nonprofit event ticketing?

Expenses vary not only by platform, but also buy payment processor. Some come with transaction costs, while others are able to pass on that cost to the donor. Searching the fine print for payment processing rates and service charges will keep charges from sneaking up on you.

5. Can nonprofits use Eventbrite for ticket sales?

Yes. Eventbrite supports both donation collection and ticketing for charity events. However, be warned that they charge booth platform and payment processing costs.

In Conclusion…

The right digital ticketing program will do far more than just facilitate your team in registering attendees. It will take what was once a simple transactional experience and transform it into a truly memorable moment. This is the opportune time to introduce supporters to your cause and your team, and begin to get the wheels of excitement about your event in motion. By taking your ticketing process online, you find the ability to reach supporters from around the world, keep track of incoming donations, and provide multiple opportunities for supporters to find more ways to contribute to your organization. 

On top of improved attendee experience, virtual ticketing tools give nonprofit event organizers more control over their event. Live reporting lets you see ticket sales and incoming donations as they happen, and integrated sharing tools lets both you and supporters quickly and organically spread news and updates about your event.  Being able to manage reservations, donations, and checkins from one system, saves time, reduces mistakes and oversights, and can lower the costs associated with administrative work.

Looking ahead throughout 2026 and beyond, ticketing solutions are only getting smarter. Hybrid event support, automated communication tools, and analytically focused dashboards are popping up more and more often. With modern ticketing software, every feature is designed to make your event more engaging and accessible than ever before. Nonprofits that jump in the game now can set themselves up to be the industries next leading pioneers. They’ll be the ones experiencing smoother check-ins, higher attendance numbers, and consistently increasing revenue.

If your organization hasn’t gotten on board yet, now is the perfect time to start. Platforms like Paybee take registration, donations, and check-ins, and put them all in an easy to reach dashboard. By putting the heavy lifting in our hands, you can let your crew get back to connecting with donors, furthering your cause, and creating events that truly make a difference. Head over to our page today and see what our team can do for you.