Best Online Merchandise Store for Nonprofits in 2025

If your nonprofit still thinks of merch as just “freebies” or swag for volunteers, it’s time for a serious upgrade. Branded gear has become a real income stream — one that’s fueling everything from small grassroots campaigns to global climate orgs. For many cash-strapped teams trying to survive the donation slump, finding the best online merchandise store for nonprofits is no longer optional — it’s a lifeline.

But here’s the problem: most of what you’ll find online is sugar-coated, written by platforms trying to sell you their templates. This article? It’s not that.

We’re digging into what actually works — how to choose what to sell, where to sell it, and how to turn a hoodie into a monthly donor magnet. We’ll compare popular options, walk through real examples, and show you how to take control of your own store (and profits) with smarter tech.

No fluff. No fake success stories. Just what moves the needle in 2025 — and why Scrile Connect might be the best-kept secret in nonprofit ecommerce.

Why Merch Works: From Awareness to Action

Selling merch isn’t just about making a few extra bucks. It’s about turning your supporters into walking, talking billboards — and giving them something to do with their passion.

Think about it: when someone wears your nonprofit’s hoodie or carries your tote bag, they’re not just repping your logo. They’re starting conversations. They’re taking a stand. And that emotional connection? It runs deeper than a one-time donation ever could.

There’s real fundraising power here, too. Unlike the uncertainty of chasing grant money or hoping for end-of-year gifts, a well-run merch strategy builds recurring income and keeps your mission in people’s daily lives. According to Printful, 76% of donors say they’d rather support a cause by buying something useful than by handing over cash. That’s a shift in behavior — and a major opportunity.

Some of the most recognizable nonprofits already get it. WWF sells plush animals and tees that fund conservation work. ACLU turns their values into wearable messages. Even tiny local campaigns are launching custom shops to power their outreach.

This isn’t a trend. It’s the evolution of nonprofit fundraising. And if you’re one of those nonprofits that sell merchandise, you already know: the merch table is now digital — and global.

Planning What to Sell: Don’t Just Print a Logo

Here’s the truth: no one wants another scratchy tee with a forgotten campaign name slapped on the front. If you’re serious about turning merch into a revenue stream, you need to sell things people actually want to use — not just things you want them to buy.

Start by thinking less like a charity and more like a streetwear brand. What’s your vibe? What emotions do you want supporters to feel when they wear your gear? The sweet spot is where identity meets utility.

These categories consistently perform well for nonprofits:

• T-shirts — the go-to choice for selling t shirts for fundraising. Easy to design, versatile, and visible.
  
• Mugs, hats, and totes — everyday items people actually carry and use.
  
• Hoodies and water bottles — ideal for year-round campaigns with strong community ties.
  

What to skip? Anything that feels like a leftover freebie — low-quality pens, flimsy keychains, or items that end up in the junk drawer. People want to wear their values with pride, not wear them out in a week.

Custom t-shirts for nonprofit organizations should feel like merch from a brand, not a handout. That’s when people come back for more — and bring friends.

Choosing the Right Model: Print-on-Demand or Bulk?

When you’re figuring out how to sell t shirts for a fundraiser, your production model matters just as much as your design. You’ve got two main paths: print-on-demand (POD) services like Printful and Printify, or traditional bulk ordering from wholesalers.

POD is the low-risk option. You upload your design, and the platform handles printing, shipping, and fulfillment — one order at a time. You don’t pay upfront, and you don’t deal with storage. The tradeoff? Smaller profit margins and less control over packaging and shipping speed.

Bulk ordering, on the other hand, means buying in advance. You get better pricing per unit and full control over the unboxing experience — but you also take on the risk. If the merch doesn’t sell, it collects dust (and eats your budget).

In short:

• POD = flexibility, zero upfront cost, lower margins
  
• Bulk = higher margins, more effort, more risk
  

The best choice depends on your size, goals, and team bandwidth. Many nonprofits start with POD, test designs, and switch to bulk for winning products.

Features to Look For in an Online Store

If you want to run the best online merchandise store for nonprofits, don’t just look at price. Look at power. Your platform needs to do more than just list products — it should support your fundraising mission from the inside out.

Must-have features:

• Mobile-optimized storefront (your supporters live on their phones)
  
• Donation integration (so purchases feel like giving)
  
• Supporter CRM or data capture tools
  

Fan-focused tools:

• Email capture and remarketing flows
  
• Upsells and product bundles to boost average cart size
  
• Supporter leaderboards or badges to gamify engagement
  

The right online store for nonprofits doesn’t just move products. It builds community. Look for options that make your buyers feel like part of something bigger — not just another customer clicking “add to cart.”

Compare the Market: What’s Out There?

Before you commit to a platform, take a look at what’s actually available — and what’s hiding behind those slick landing pages. Some options work right out of the box but leave you boxed in. Others take more time to set up but give you full ownership. Here’s a quick breakdown of the main players when you’re looking for the best online merchandise store for nonprofits in 2025:

Platform	Model	Pricing	Notable Features
Printful	Print-on-demand	Free + product markup	Easy setup, integrates with Shopify
Bonfire	Fundraiser store	Free	Supporter badges, charity tracking tools
Shopify	Hosted store	$39+/mo	Massive plugin ecosystem, highly customizable
Scrile Connect	Custom-built dev service	Varies by feature	Total ownership, AI tools, streaming, fanclubs

The takeaway? There’s no one-size-fits-all — but if you’re ready to grow beyond basic merch and turn supporters into superfans, Scrile Connect is where it starts.

Why Scrile Connect Wins the Long Game

Most platforms help you sell t-shirts. A few let you take donations. But if you want to run a real fundraising operation — one that mixes merch, content, and fan engagement into one system — you’ll quickly hit a wall.

That’s where Scrile Connect stands apart. It’s not just another online merchandise store for nonprofits. It’s a development framework to build whatever you need — and scale it your way.

Not Just a Store — A Smart Fundraising Ecosystem

Scrile Connect isn’t a plug-and-play website. It’s a customizable toolkit that nonprofit teams can shape to match their goals — from branded storefronts to immersive supporter experiences.

Think beyond tees and tote bags. Scrile lets you:

• Build a full custom storefront for digital and physical goods
  
• Add fanclubs with gated content for monthly donors
  
• Use AI to create a persona who chats, answers questions, or promotes causes
  
• Monetize live video Q&As, donation streams, and shoutouts during events
  

For nonprofits hosting streaming fundraisers, awareness drives, or even behind-the-scenes content, this level of flexibility makes a real difference.

Scale Without Losing Control

Unlike hosted services that own your data, branding, or layout, Scrile gives you the keys. Every supporter, every sale, every message — yours to keep.

Want to drop exclusive content just for top donors? Add supporter badges? Tie-in NFTs for limited-edition merch? It’s all possible — and built around your workflow, not someone else’s template.

Want to own your tools, not rent them? Talk to Scrile Connect’s team and start building a fundraising hub as bold as your mission.

Final Thoughts: Merch That Matters

The best online merchandise store for nonprofits isn’t just the one that gets shirts printed fastest — it’s the one that helps you build lasting relationships, tell your story, and own your revenue stream.

Merch today is more than branded swag. It’s how supporters wear their values. It’s how movements grow. And it’s quickly becoming the frontline of fundraising.

If your team’s tired of third-party limitations, revenue cuts, and generic templates, it’s time to think bigger. Scrile Connect gives you the tools to create a fully branded store — and so much more. From digital merch to livestreams and AI fan engagement, the platform grows with your goals.

Reach out to the Scrile Connect team today and start building a smarter, more sustainable fundraising future — on your own terms.

FAQ

How to sell items for charity?

It’s easier than ever. You pick a cause, choose what you want to sell — say, shirts or mugs — and set up your shop using platforms like Bonfire or a custom solution like Scrile Connect. Some services even automate donations through PayPal Giving Fund. The key? Make sure people know where their money’s going and why it matters.

How do I start selling my own merch?

Start simple. Figure out your brand vibe, design a few products (t-shirts usually win), and pick your setup — either a print-on-demand platform like Printful or a custom storefront through Scrile Connect. If you want full control, building on the best ecommerce platform for nonprofits is a long-term play worth making.

What kind of merch sells the most?

T-shirts top the list — they’re wearable, affordable, and personal. But don’t stop there. Hoodies, totes, mugs, and even digital downloads can perform well if they align with your cause. If you’re using the best online merchandise store for nonprofits, you can test products, bundle offers, and track what your community actually wants.