Bitcoin Fundraising for NGOs: A 5-Part Learning Journey

Bitcoin holders are a donor group with significant unrealised gains and a pronounced giving culture, and almost no organisations are asking them for support. This training, facilitated by MzN International in partnership with 21NPO, equips NGO leadership, fundraising, finance and communications staff to understand Bitcoin, accept and hold or convert donations, and run a campaign that reaches this community. No prior knowledge is required.

Format:

Online, live and interactive, in English. Recordings, tools and templates are included.

Learning outcomes:

A clear view of whether Bitcoin fundraising is worth it for the organisation, including a defensible decision to wait. A completed canvas and decision tree that can be taken to the board or finance lead. The vocabulary and counter arguments needed for that conversation. A first campaign outline and the channels most likely to reach willing donors.

Schedule:

• Teaser (free, 60 minutes): Why Bitcoin fundraising, and why now?
  Tuesday, 20 October 2026 | 2pm CET
  Price and adoption trends, who these donors are, and what accepting Bitcoin signals
• Session 1: Relevance and the Bitcoin donor
  Friday, 6 November 2026 | 2pm CET
  Market and adoption data, institutional uptake, donor personas from shrimp to whale, giving motives, and where this community gathers
• Session 2: Bitcoin basics and the criticism
  Friday, 13 November 2026 | 2pm CET
  What Bitcoin is in plain language, and an honest walk through the objections of volatility, energy, regulation and reputation
• Session 3: Institutional readiness
  Friday, 20 November 2026 | 2pm CET
  Internal alignment, wallets and custody, Bitcoin policy and governance, accounting and conversion, plus a regulation and tax overview. Includes a decision tree tool
• Session 4: Campaigns and case studies
  Friday, 27 November 2026 | 2pm CET
  Donation page, QR and Lightning, campaign design and community outreach, with cases from Jugend Eine Welt, Save the Children and the Pineapple Fund. Includes the Bitcoin Fundraising Canvas tool
• Session 5: Ask Me Anything
  Friday, 4 December 2026 | 2pm CET
  Exchange and feedback on the Bitcoin Fundraising Canvas, participants’ own questions and draft campaigns, peer exchange and next steps

Training Includes:

Includes recordings, the Bitcoin Fundraising Canvas, the decision tree template, and tools and resources from the sessions.

Who is this for?

NGO leadership, fundraising, finance and communications staff. No prior knowledge is required.

Trainers:

Friedbert Ottacher
Covers the technical and institutional side of Bitcoin donations

Over twenty five years in international development cooperation. A Bitcoiner since 2017, active in Bitcoin Austria, which was established in 2011. Author of “Sound Money for Good Causes,” due to be published in 2027

Markus Lejsek
Covers strategy, campaign design and donor relations

Fundraiser and consultant to Austrian and international NPOs, specialised in major gifts and corporate giving