Glossary
Fundraising

Upsell Prompt

By: Alec Hollingsworth
Updated:  
July 2, 2025

Definition:

An upsell prompt is a suggestion encouraging donors to increase their gift or add extra support during the donation process.
An upsell prompt in fundraising is a message or suggestion presented to a donor during the giving process, encouraging them to increase their donation amount or add an additional contribution. This technique is designed to maximize the value of each donor interaction by highlighting the impact of a larger gift or suggesting other ways to support the organization, such as recurring donations or adding a small extra amount to cover processing fees. Upsell prompts are often customized based on donor history, average gift size, or specific campaign goals, and are typically integrated into online donation forms or follow-up communications. When implemented thoughtfully, upsell prompts can boost total fundraising revenue without negatively affecting donor satisfaction or retention.

Key Takeaways

  • Upsell prompts encourage larger or additional donations.
  • They are integrated into donation forms or donor communications.
  • Effective prompts use donor data for personalization.
  • They can increase overall fundraising revenue.

Why It Matters

Upsell prompts help nonprofits maximize gifts, increasing revenue per donor without extra acquisition costs.

Real World Example

A nonprofit running an online campaign uses Keela’s donation form and activates the upsell prompt feature. When a donor selects a $25 gift, the form suggests, 'Would you consider increasing your impact to $35 to fund art supplies for an extra student?' Alternatively, another prompt offers, 'Add $5 to cover processing fees, so your full gift goes to our mission.' These targeted suggestions motivate donors to give more, resulting in a significant boost in the average donation amount and helping the nonprofit reach its fundraising goal faster.

How Keela Helps

Keela’s fundraising tools allow organizations to easily set up and customize upsell prompts within their online donation forms. By using Keela’s data-driven insights, nonprofits can recommend tailored giving amounts and suggest additional contributions, making it simple to test and optimize upsell strategies for better fundraising outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an upsell prompt in fundraising?

An upsell prompt is a message that encourages donors to increase their donation amount or add extra support during the giving process.

How do upsell prompts work in Keela?

Keela allows nonprofits to add and customize upsell prompts on donation forms, using data to personalize suggested amounts or additional giving options.

Do upsell prompts annoy donors?

When thoughtfully designed and personalized, upsell prompts typically enhance rather than detract from the donor experience.

Can upsell prompts be used for recurring donations?

Yes, upsell prompts can encourage one-time donors to become recurring supporters or increase the frequency of their gifts.

Related Terms

A/B Test
Accessibility Compliance
Acknowledgement Letter
Address Verification
Affiliation
Archiving Historical Donor Data

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