How Nonprofits Can Use Custom Stickers to Raise More

June 22, 2026

When Stanton Avery (yes, that Avery) invented self-adhesive stickers in 1935, the world changed. Maybe not as explosively as when the internet or AI hit the scene, but nonetheless, it paved the way for revolution.

Avery’s innovation enabled stores to add price tags to products without water or heat, a much-needed efficiency that led the way to modern barcoding and QR codes. Previously, only large corporations had the resources to label and brand their products, but now small businesses and makers could, too. Then, in the 1940s, Forest Gill invented the bumper sticker.

Gill wanted to make something more permanent and durable than paper-and-string bumper signs people used to state opinions or advertise. So, he combined fluorescent paint and adhesive paper to create bumper stickers. His innovation quickly gained traction, becoming widely adopted after its use during the 1952 Eisenhower vs. Stevenson election.

Stanton Avery may have given us the ability to label and brand, but Gill turned stickers into the

medium of activism and awareness we know today. That connection is part of what makes stickers such a great fit for nonprofits.

So, how should a nonprofit use custom stickers?

You could print a few hundred with your org’s logo, hand them out, and hope they wind up on everyone’s Hydro Flasks. And some might. But for a truly successful sticker strategy, approach things as you might a personal appeal. Through storytelling and intention.  

The Psychology of Stickers

You may have noticed that stickers are in the midst of a pop culture renaissance. It began with Gen Z decorating their Stanleys, tablet covers, and notebooks, and now every generation is in on revitalizing the trend. That’s not just because stickers are fun. It’s because they are a tool for identity signaling; the psychological drive to express who we are and what we value through our outward presentation.

This need to self-identify is tied to our desire for a sense of community. That’s why when we see someone with their ‘I voted’ sticker, we feel a part of something. Especially now, when so much of our time is spent online can produce feelings of isolation and loneliness.  Stickers are a visible, physical signal in a very screen-based world.

Why Stickers for Nonprofits?

As print marketing tools, stickers are uniquely rooted in self-expression and authenticity. Even when their intent is to advertise, stickers communicate more than their ink and backing display. Stickers tap into something uniquely human that, when applied by mission-driven nonprofits, can help engage, build awareness, and inspire.

When someone puts a nonprofit’s design on their water bottle, they’re not just providing free advertising. They’re  making a micro-commitment to the cause. People don’t just support a charity – they identify with it. That nifty holographic sticker is proof of that alignment.

It’s also an indicator of further support. Research suggests that once a person makes a small public statement of support, they are more likely to follow up with larger actions, such as donating or volunteering.

Designing Stickers that Supporters Want to Stick

Remember that stickers reflect identity. For a supporter to put your nonprofit’s sticker next to their favorite band, home state, or vacation spot, it must pass an aesthetic bar. Unless your organization’s logo is as compelling as the World Wildlife Fund’s, printing it on a white circle or square is not enough. The key is to create a design that captures your cause.

This “un-logo” approach works because it prioritizes the cause’s story. Try to distill your cause into an evocative illustration, quote, or symbol. Your nonprofit’s name or logo should be secondary to the art. By shifting the emphasis to the heart of your org, it is more likely to resonate, and thus your sticker will land somewhere visible.  

If you’re struggling with design, consider crowdsourcing it. Tell followers you’re designing a sticker and ask them to submit ideas. It’s a fun way to help supporters feel they’re a part of your organization, and how they interpret your cause through art can be pretty amazing.

Plus, a crowdsourced design contest is a goldmine for social media engagement. By letting your community vote on the final look, you’re building anticipation. By the time the stickers are printed, you’ll have a dedicated group of advocates excited to display a design they helped choose.

How to Add Stickers in Your Nonprofit’s Strategy

Once you have a design that passes the aesthetic bar, it’s time to move from theory to action. For a nonprofit, stickers are one of the most versatile tools in the marketing kit because they work at every stage of the supporter journey.

Here are five ways to integrate stickers into your nonprofit’s goals:

1. The Sticker as Gateway

Most nonprofits treat stickers as something handed out after someone donates or attends a fundraising event. That’s not wrong, but if someone sticking a sticker means they might give in the future, why not get the stickers out first?

Think of it as the deliberate first rung of a marketing ladder. Hand out stickers at community events, include them in cold-prospect mailings, and leave a stack at a local business that shares your values. If you include a low-key version of your social media handle, website, or QR code, you’re opening the door for potential supporters to connect.   

2. Make Stickers Actionable with QR Codes

Incorporating a QR code turns a sticker from a passive awareness tool into a direct line to your organization. Link to a donation page, a volunteer signup, or a campaign landing page, and anyone who sees it can access it instantly. Plus, since you can use a unique code per campaign or batch, you can track exactly how much traffic your stickers generate.

3. Upgrade the Thank You Letter

By tucking a sticker into your donor gratitude letters, you’re saying thanks and gifting a little back. That sticker is then likely to end up on a laptop or water bottle, keeping your mission visible to the donor every day.

4. The Recurring Giving Incentive

Asking a new supporter for a monthly micro commitment is a big first step. Offer a limited-edition member decal to anyone who signs up for a recurring gift at any level. The exclusivity reinforces their decision, and a physical thank you arriving in the mail carries more meaning than an automated email.

5. Sell Them

Stickers are among the highest-margin fundraising products, with markups that can reach 300%.  Sell them at events, fairs, and festivals, or set up an ecommerce storefront. People who want to support you will stick it to all kinds of surfaces, helping you to increase awareness.

Ready to Stick?

Neither Stanton Avery nor Forest Gill was thinking about nonprofit fundraising, but the innovations they created are remarkably well-suited to it. A small, well-designed sticker can introduce your cause to a stranger, deepen a donor’s commitment, and keep your mission visible long after any campaign ends.

Starting is simple. All you need is one great, intentional design, a plan, and a terrific sticker printer. When you’re ready to print, Eventgroove offers 10% off for nonprofits, low custom design fees (the first hour is free), and no minimums. If you decide to sell stickers as part of your strategy, you can set up a free online storefront that integrates with your site.