Fundraising is the process of gathering voluntary financial contributions from individuals, businesses, and foundations, primarily to support nonprofit organizations, though it can also apply to for-profit ventures seeking investors. While traditional methods like face-to-face door-knocking remain, modern approaches now include online fundraising and grassroots efforts. Major fundraising campaigns are conducted by colleges and universities, which employ professional development officers, as well as by religious groups and political campaigns, where PACs and 527 groups play a significant role. In the United States, public broadcasters rely heavily on pledge drives—occurring about three times a year—because less than 15% of their funding comes from the federal government. The nonprofit sector adapted direct marketing techniques in the mid-1970s, which enhanced the anonymity and intimacy of donations. These diverse strategies highlight how fundraising has evolved to support a wide range of causes, from education and religion to politics and public media.