Belonging Builds Impact: The Power of Community-Centered Fundraising

‍Belonging is a force that drives people to act, connect, and give. When you create belonging at your nonprofit, you build a thriving year-round community, and redefine what authentic engagement looks like for mission-driven organizations.

Build A Movement Rooted in Belonging

In a recent webinar, Eagles Autism Foundation Executive Director Ryan Hammond and haku Co-Founder Jackie Levi shared how a belonging-based approach to fundraising has helped EAF raise over $40 million since 2018. You can watch the webinar here, but below we offer a quick overview of the topics Jackie and Ryan discussed and share why belonging is so important to nonprofit success.

Belonging as a Multiplier

Successful fundraising is built on mission, technical capabilities, and great communication, but belonging is another piece of the puzzle. In our work with Eagles Autism Foundation, we’ve found that when people feel part of something bigger, they give, share, and stay. 

As Ryan Hammond explained, belonging begins with authenticity.

“You can’t say a community is important to you only on the day you’re fundraising for them. It has to be part of who you are every day.”

From adding the Eagles Autism Foundation logo to the end zone to building the NFL’s first sensory room, Hammond and her team have embedded inclusion throughout the fan experience. The foundation now employs 35 neurodiverse staff at games, offers sensory bags and quiet spaces, and hosts All-Abilities Clinics for cheer and football. Each of these touches on a very real part of their mission. Neurodiverse individuals face more obstacles to finding paying jobs, for example, so going out of the way to hire neurodiverse staff makes a real impact on the autistic community. 

Since 2018, those efforts have fueled over $40 million in donations, including $10.1 million this year alone! All of this goes towards supporting 169 research and community projects.

As Jackie Levi summarized:

“EAF doesn’t just raise money; they turn awareness into action.”

In short, belonging multiplies both dollars and devotion, keeping your supporters engaged and giving. Belonging effectively turns momentary participation into a movement that outlasts any single event.

From Awareness to Action: Turning Fans into a Movement

If you’ve ever been to Philadelphia, you know the Eagles. Eagles fans do not hesitate to let you know that they support “the Birds”. The difference between a person being aware of a football team or actually going to the game or calling themselves a fan, is dramatic. 

It’s just the same for nonprofits. 

In the case of fundraising, awareness is the groundwork you need to lay before you can begin to raise money, but belonging is the structure that supports your success. How do you turn an observer or a fan into an advocate or sustainer? The transition happens when you show them how your mission reflects their giving.

 Ryan Hammond told us that at Eagles Autism Foundation, fandom becomes philanthropy:

 “We’re a sports organization and we lean into that. We’re a performance event, not a ballroom event.” 

What began as the Eagles Autism Challenge, which was essentially a bike ride and 5K, has grown to more than 7,000 participants across rides, walks, and virtual options. Within a very short time, Eagles Autism Foundation was able to make this change by focusing on that broader community. 

That transformation extends to creative fundraising, from Radiothons that grew from $120,000 to nearly $600,000 to collectible 50/50 raffle pins that turned game-day giveaways into six-figure community builders.

Eagles Autism Foundation is inseparable from the Eagles themselves and that’s a powerful driver for their success. They’ve learned how to turn fandom into fun and engaging experiences that support their mission. 

The Participant-Funded Model

People give more freely when they know their effort and contributions are seen, valued, and used well. In fact, EAF’s model separates donor gifts and sponsorships completely. According to Ryan Hammond:

“Every single dollar raised by participants goes directly to the autism community,”

Sponsorships fund operations and staff, while participant dollars are invested entirely in research and community programs. This clarity reinforces credibility and pride among fundraisers because it means their work is what makes a difference every day.

Ryan Hammond also shared:

“We have a scientific review process for every research project we fund. If you tell me the year you participated, I can tell you exactly which projects your dollars supported.”

Transparency continues after the donation, with impact videos, grantee progress reports, and annual updates that close the loop for participants. In turn, trust transforms generosity from transaction into relationship. When every participant can see the impact they helped create, fundraising becomes shared ownership.

Storytelling, Identity, and Emotional Connection

Stories builds a bridge out of your mission. When people can see the impact they have and when you spotlight their impact? You make people feel seen, and this more than anything else gives fundraising a human heartbeat.

EAF empowers supporters to tell their stories authentically while providing the structure to help them succeed. According to Ryan Hammond: 

“We tell people, ‘Ask ten friends for twenty bucks, and you’re already past your goal. Then once they hit it, they think, ‘Next year, I’m going to be an All-Pro.’”

Recognition tiers like All-Pro ($2,500+) and Hall of Fame ($10,000+) turn fundraising into identity, and they use haku’s platform to reinforce belonging through personal pages, badges, and analytics.

Jackie Levi agreed:

“That real-time feedback drives motivation. It’s what turns individual effort into collective energy.”

When you give people the tools to tell their own fundraising stories, they inevitably tell the world about your mission too. There is no better way to scale authentic storytelling than to uplift your supports and give them what they need to succeed. 

Driving Year-Round Engagement

Just like the game isn’t over after the first touchdown, engagement shouldn’t end when a fundraising drive ends. The supporter journey continues long after a fundraising event, with small experiences throughout the year. When you do this right, you keep your supporters engaged and involved. This in turn makes them more likely to come back year after year. 

Ryan Hammond described EAF’s philosophy simply:

“We never turn off. We’re here 365 days a year to support our community. We stay connected through inclusive events like Huddle Up for Autism, All-Abilities Clinics, and collaborations like our sensory-friendly hay rides or performances of The Nutcracker. We treat our community like close friends, so It’s not just about fundraising, it’s also about connection.” 

EAF also finds ways to pre-activate the next generation of donors. Children under 12 can participate free, receive a medal and t-shirt, and grow up with the event. For EAF, showing up daily is what keeps belonging alive.

Scaling Belonging: Lessons for Every Nonprofit

When we talk about scalability, usually we’re talking about technology. But humans can build anything when we put our minds and bodies together for a cause. In turn, belonging is scalable because it’s human. Whether you’re a large foundation or a small local nonprofit, the same principles apply. Human stories, a focus on your mission, and a great supporter experience will build belonging and let you succeed under any conditions.

Jackie Levi summarized the key takeaways from the discussion:

“Design for community, not just dollars. Equip fundraisers with the right tools. Meet supporters where they are. Recognize and celebrate them. Iterate and personalize.” 

Bringing It All Together

People give back where they feel they belong. By building systems that reflect humanity and connection, the Eagles Autism Foundation and haku are showing the future of fundraising. That future is one where generosity is a shared identity, not just an action.

Thank you, Eagles Autism Foundation, for being an incredible partner to haku! If you’re ready to learn more about how haku can help your organization build belonging, automate manual processes, and keep your supporters engaged year round, we’d love to chat.

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