When you think of fundraising, you likely imagine appeals, donation pages, campaign emails, videos. But too often content is built for the “average user,” ignoring those with disabilities, language barriers, neurodivergence, or different tech access. That’s a major missed opportunity.

Accessibility means designing content so people with a wide range of abilities can consume it (e.g. those using screen readers, needing captions, needing high contrast, needing simple navigation). Inclusion means going further: respecting and centering diverse voices, ensuring representation, and reducing barriers beyond the technical.

Inclusive, accessible content is not a bonus or a “nice to have.” It drives fundraising outcomes:

• It broadens your donor base (people who might otherwise be excluded).
• It builds trust and legitimacy (you show your mission includes everyone).
• It creates better user experience for all (tech that helps someone with low vision often helps others too).
• It respects equity and dignity. Donors should not have to struggle to engage.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) highlights that access is often overlooked in DEI efforts and encourages fundraisers to integrate accessibility into all processes. Association of Fundraising Professionals
The AFP also released an Accessible Fundraising Toolkit to help organizations adopt inclusive practices. Association of Fundraising Professionals

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Core Principles & Best Practices

Here are key strategies to apply when creating content (emails, websites, social media, videos, etc.) in fundraising campaigns.

1. Use Clear Structure & Semantic Markup

• Use headings (H1, H2, H3) properly so screen readers can navigate your page.
• Use lists and paragraphs. Don’t just stack blocks of text.
• Use meaningful link text (“Donate to rural clinics” instead of “Click here”).
• Provide descriptive alt text for images. Explain the content or context. blog.justgiving.com

2. Color Contrast, Font, Readability

• Ensure text and background have strong contrast (for people with low vision, color blindness).
• Use legible fonts (sans serif, avoid overly decorative), adequate size.
• Avoid tiny text or light gray on white.
• Use simple language and avoid jargon, unless your audience demands it.

3. Provide Alternatives & Multi-modal Formats

• For videos: always include captions, and where possible transcripts or audio descriptions.
• For audio content: provide written transcripts.
• For infographics: provide text equivalents or alt data.
• For interactive content: ensure keyboard navigation works (people who can’t use a mouse).

4. Language & Representation Matter

• Include diverse voices in your content (people with disabilities, marginalized communities) not just as beneficiaries but as leaders, storytellers.
• Be mindful of phrasing. Avoid language that frames disability as tragedy or burden. Use “people with disabilities” rather than “the disabled” or “wheelchair bound.”
• Use inclusive pronouns, gender-neutral terms, mindful references to culture, languages, and accessibility needs.

5. Ask & Respond to Access Needs

• In your campaign forms or registration, include a field: “Do you need any accommodations?”
• Be ready to respond: ASL interpretation, large print, Braille, translation, or other formats.
• Budget for accessibility (captioning, translators, accessible design time). Many organizations forget to allocate time and cost for this. givingusa.org+2betterworld.org+2
• Appoint an accessibility contact or point person.

6. Involve Your Community

• Consult people with disabilities or from marginalized communities when designing your campaigns. Let them review content, give feedback, and be part of planning.
• Use “nothing about us without us”. Ensure your inclusion isn’t tokenistic.
• Collect feedback after campaigns about how accessible the experience was.

7. Accessible Fundraising Events (Digital or Hybrid)

Even if your content is strong, your events (virtual or in-person) must also be accessible to maximize fundraising reach.

• Virtual: turn on captions, provide sign interpreters, ensure your webinar platform supports screen readers.
• In-person: choose venues with ramps, elevator access, restrooms, quiet rooms, clear signage, good lighting. NonProfit PRO+2givingusa.org+2
• Provide materials ahead of time in accessible formats.
• On registration, invite attendees to share access needs.
• Prepare your volunteers, staff on inclusion and accessible practices.

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Examples in Fundraising Content & Campaigns

• A nonprofit raising funds for educational programs ensures all their videos have captions and transcripts, thereby allowing donors who are deaf or hard of hearing to engage fully.
• A campaign recruits storytellers from disabled communities to speak for their own experiences, not depict them as passive recipients.
• A crowdfunding platform builds its pages so they pass Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) checks, and donors using screen readers can navigate the donation flow.
• A local charity sends out its fundraising newsletter in both English and a local minority language, plus in large-print PDF forms on request.
• An event livestream includes live captions and ASL interpretation, so the full broadcast becomes inclusive.

By creating this accessibility, you don’t just satisfy an ethical imperative. You unlock funds from supporters who would otherwise be excluded.

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How Accessibility & Inclusion Boost Fundraising Success

• Wider reach: You open your campaign to more people (disability community, multilingual communities, neurodivergent supporters).
• Higher engagement: People stay longer, consume more, donate more when content is easy to use.
• Trust & reputation: Donors see you walk the talk. Your inclusion aligns with your mission.
• Longevity & loyalty: Donors who feel included and respected are more likely to stay on.
• Innovation & feedback: Accessibility challenges push you to better UX, cleaner design, sharper communication.

Accessible design often improves usability for everyone (e.g. captions help in noisy places, alt text helps when images fail, clear headings help scanning).

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How Giveable Helps You Build Inclusive, Accessible Fundraising

Here is how Giveable supports accessibility & inclusion in your fundraising content:

• Accessible campaign templates
   Giveable provides content modules built with accessibility in mind: correct heading structure, alt text prompts, contrast, mobile readability.
• Multilingual & localized options
   You can create versions of your campaign in multiple languages or dialects, reaching donors across linguistic diversity.
• Donation flows optimized for assistive tech
   Giveable ensures that donation pages are screen reader friendly, keyboard navigable, and pass basic accessibility checks.
• Captioning & transcript support
   We integrate your videos with captioning and provide transcript fields or upload options, so your content is inclusive to deaf and hard-of-hearing donors.
• Custom access fields & accommodation requests
   Forms hosted on Giveable allow you to ask donors or event registrants for their accommodation needs.
• Analytics & feedback loops
   Track whether specific content versions (e.g. with captions, translated) perform better. Use that data to refine your inclusive content strategy.

With Giveable, you don’t need to build accessibility from scratch. You get a scaffold that aligns your content creation and fundraising strategy toward equity and engagement.

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Summary & Call to Action

Creating accessible and inclusive content is not optional. It’s essential. When your fundraising content is more reachable, it invites more people in, deepens loyalty, and honors dignity. Use structure, multiple formats, consult your community, and build events that welcome all. Giveable exists to support you in doing that without reinventing the wheel.

Ready to make your next fundraising campaign truly inclusive? Let Giveable help you build it.