Facebook Ads Insights Tool

Facebook Ads Cost Per Lead Benchmarks for Nonprofit in United States

See how your CPL compares. Explore lead generation cost benchmarks by industry, region, and campaign type

Cost Per Lead for Nonprofit in United States

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

This analysis looks at cost per lead (CPL) trends for the Nonprofit industry in the United States compared to the global trend. The analysis is based on $3B worth of advertising data from our dataset, which provides strong directional benchmarks.

Key takeaways

  • Across the full period, United States Nonprofit CPL averages 50.76, about 41% above the global average of 36.04, driven by a dramatic late spike.
  • From October 2024 through July 2025, CPL in the United States was consistently below market, averaging 4.63 vs. 37.48 globally (−88%).
  • A sharp break in trend occurs in August–September 2025, when United States Nonprofit CPL jumps above the baseline by ~91% in August and ~2,300% in September.
  • Seasonality diverges: the global trend shows a Q4 uptick and a steady mid‑year range, while United States Nonprofit stays low through Q1–Q2, then surges in Q3.
  • Volatility is high in the selected series (average absolute month‑over‑month change ~117%) versus the global baseline (~13%).

United States Nonprofit CPL: monthly highlights

  • Range and central tendency: average 50.76; median 3.32; low 1.69 (Oct 2024); high 492.21 (Sep 2025). The average is skewed by the September spike.
  • Trend and percent change: from 1.69 (Oct 2024) to 492.21 (Sep 2025), up roughly +29,100%.
  • Notable movements:
  • Modest Q4 movement: +50% in November, then −21% in December.
  • Gradual lifts through Q1–Q2 2025 (+6–42% monthly), still well below the global level.
  • Breakout in Q3: +206% (Jun→Jul), +298% (Jul→Aug), +597% (Aug→Sep).
  • Seasonal pattern: minimal Q4 inflation; instead, costs escalate sharply in late summer (Q3), peaking in September.

Global baseline comparison

  • Baseline stats: average 36.04; high 41.58 (Nov 2024); low 20.63 (Sep 2025).
  • Baseline trend: −33.7% from Oct 2024 to Sep 2025, with a clear Q4 bump (+33.6% Oct→Nov), then a mostly stable range in H1–H2 until a September dip.
  • Volatility: average absolute month‑over‑month change ~13%, indicating a steadier market backdrop than the selected series.

How United States Nonprofit compares to the global trend

  • Level vs. market:
  • Below market for 10 of 12 months (Oct 2024–Jul 2025), typically 80–90% cheaper than global median CPL.
  • Above market only in August and September 2025: +91% and +~2,300% versus the global baseline, respectively.
  • Averages:
  • Full‑period average: 50.76 vs. 36.04 globally (about 41% higher).
  • Oct–Jul average: 4.63 vs. 37.48 globally (−88%), underscoring how concentrated the increase is in late Q3.
  • Seasonality vs. baseline:
  • Global shows typical Q4 inflation for Facebook Ads benchmarks, while United States Nonprofit exhibits an atypical Q3 spike and a record September level.

Understanding cost per lead benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry Nonprofit and United States helps advertisers make more efficient budget and creative choices.

Understanding the Data

Insights & analysis of Facebook advertising costs

Facebook advertising costs vary based on many factors including industry, target audience, ad placement, and campaign objectives. In the Nonprofit industry, Facebook ad costs can be influenced by seasonal trends and market competition. For campaigns targeting United States, advertisers often face higher costs due to high competition and purchasing power. Different campaign objectives lead to varying costs based on how Facebook optimizes for your specific goals. The data shown represents median values across multiple campaigns, and individual results may vary based on ad quality, audience targeting, and campaign optimization.

Why we use median instead of average

We use the median CTR because the underlying distribution of click-through rates is highly skewed, with a small share of campaigns achieving extremely high CTRs. These outliers can inflate a simple average, making it less representative of what most advertisers actually experience. By using the median—which sits at the midpoint of all campaigns—we provide a more rigorous and realistic benchmark that reflects the true underlying data model and helps you set attainable performance expectations.

Key Factors Affecting Facebook Ad Costs

  • Competition within your selected industry and audience demographics
  • Ad quality and relevance score – higher quality ads can lower costs
  • Campaign objective and bid strategy
  • Timing and seasonality – costs often increase during holiday periods
  • Ad placement (News Feed, Instagram, Audience Network, etc.)

Note: This data represents industry median values and benchmarks. Your actual costs may vary based on specific targeting, ad creative quality, and campaign optimization.

Optimize Smarter with Superads

Improve your Facebook ad performance

Instant performance insights – See which ads, audiences, and creatives drive results.

Data-driven creative decisions – Spot patterns to improve ROAS.

Effortless reporting – No spreadsheets, just clear insights.

Get Started for free →

The data behind the benchmarks

All data is sourced from over $3B in Facebook ad spend, collected across thousands of ad accounts that use Superads daily to analyze and improve their campaigns. Every data point is fully anonymized and aggregated—no individual advertiser is ever exposed.

This dataset updates frequently as new ad data flows in. It will only get bigger and better.

United States Advertising Landscape

National Holidays

Jan 1New Year's Day
Jan 20Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Feb 17Presidents' Day
May 26Memorial Day
Jun 19Juneteenth
Jul 4Independence Day
Sep 1Labor Day
Oct 13Columbus Day
Nov 11Veterans Day
Nov 27Thanksgiving Day
Dec 25Christmas Day

Key Shopping Season

Late November (Thanksgiving & Black Friday weekend), December (Christmas), Back-to-school (July–September), Summer travel season (Memorial Day onwards)

Potential Advertising Impact

CPM and CPC might rise around major holidays like Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, especially in travel and entertainment. Black Friday/Thanksgiving weekend triggers massive spikes in retail ad competition. December ad demand typically peaks—retail campaigns require significantly higher budgets. Back-to-school promotions drive increased competition. Juneteenth may see regional engagement rise.

What is considered a good cost per lead on Facebook in 2025?

A good CPL usually ranges from $10 to $50, depending on your industry and target audience. B2C offers tend to be cheaper, while B2B or high-ticket services may see CPLs over $100.

Why is my CPL higher than industry averages?

Your CPL could be high due to weak creative, irrelevant targeting, or an offer that doesn't resonate. Low engagement or poor conversion rates on your landing page can also drive up costs.

Does campaign objective impact CPL?

Yes. Campaigns optimized for conversions or leads tend to generate cheaper and more qualified leads compared to traffic or engagement objectives. Facebook needs clear signals to find the right users.

How can I generate leads at a lower cost without hurting lead quality?

Focus on improving your offer, targeting the right audience, and using high-converting creative. Test native lead forms, but make sure you're still qualifying users properly.

Should I optimize for leads or conversions if my goal is pipeline growth?

If your goal is sales or revenue, optimizing for deeper funnel conversions is better. Optimizing for leads alone can inflate volume but hurt quality.