One of the biggest benefits of online crowdfunding is its accessibility: anyone can set up a fundraiser, for almost any cause and any amount of money. Some fundraisers are backed by teams of people, while many others are more personal and organised by individuals. If you’re thinking of setting up a fundraiser and you don’t have a team of people around you to help run it, these fundraising ideas for individuals can help you decide exactly how to approach it.
The easiest fundraisers for individuals are those that keep it simple. There are many different personal challenges you can take on to raise money, or you can arrange fundraising events with friends, family and the community to spread awareness of your cause. Most importantly, it is the story of why you’re raising money that will inspire people to doate, so tell it honestly and in detail.
Just starting and sharing your fundraiser can be enough. Many people don’t need to organise big events or take on challenges to generate donations – simply telling your story and sharing your fundraiser far and wide can be enough to reach your fundraising target. Here are some further resources that can help you share your fundraiser and generate donations:
Committing to complete a physical challenge – whether that’s running, walking, cycling, or anything else involving physical activity – is a popular way to raise money, and one that keeps it very personal to you.
Organised events like 5K or 10K races, marathons, bike rides, or swims, are made for individuals so they provide great opportunities for solo fundraisers too.
As competitors will usually have weeks or months to prepare for challenges like these, it also provides a long window in which you can gather donations. From the moment you sign up to an event, all throughout your training, and even after the challenge itself, you can spread the word about your fundraiser and encourage people to donate.
Here are some resources to help you get started:
Making a personal sacrifice is a simple but effective way to show people that you’re committed to the cause you’re raising money for. There are many ways to do it: some people use Sober October as an opportunity to abstain from alcohol, while others Brave the Shave and commit to shaving their hair off in support of a good cause.
Whatever you give up or abstain from should be personally significant to you and it should be a challenge. People will be more inspired to donate if they can see that you’ve made a significant sacrifice in the name of your fundraising.
For your next birthday, ask people to donate to a fundraiser instead of buying you gifts. Birthday fundraisers are ideal if you’re raising money individually: they demonstrate personal sacrifice on your part, as you’re foregoing gifts in the name of your fundraiser, and it also means that you don’t have to ask people around you to make an extra donation.
When asking people to donate to a charity or another good cause on your behalf, it’s important to emphasise its importance to you. Use your fundraising page to tell the story of why you’re raising money and what it would mean to you to meet your fundraising goal.
Everyone has a talent for something, whether it’s creative pursuits like painting or crafting, or more practical abilities like DIY and gardening. Use your skills for good and commit to helping people as part of your fundraising drive. While you can’t offer rewards for donations on GoFundMe, you can host an event or set yourself a challenge related to your skills to spread the word about your fundraiser and encourage people to donate.
Are you an expert in lawn care? Help your neighbours with their gardens and leave them with information about your fundraiser. Maybe you’re a keen watercolour painter? Host art classes and use the occasion to fundraise. Whatever you’re skilled at, there’s someone out there who can benefit from it and who might be willing to donate to your cause.
The beauty of gaming is that it’s fun if you play with others or if you go it alone. Take on the challenge of a 24-hour gaming marathon to drum up donations for your fundraiser.
If you’re already a keen gamer, it doesn’t take lots of extra kit to get things going – you just need to spread the word about your fundraiser and find a way to update potential donors on your progress. For the latter, you could simply take a quick break to add a progress update on your fundraising page or post periodically on your social media channels. Just make sure to share the link to your fundraising page as widely as possible.
Our guides on How to Organise and run a Gaming Marathon and How to Set up a Gaming Fundraiser can help get you started.
Personal possessions can pile up almost without you realising, leaving your home cluttered with items you don’t actually want, use, or need. Take the opportunity to declutter: not only can it help create a more organised and peaceful living space, it can also help you reach your fundraising goal.
There are many ways to sell unwanted clothes, furniture, electronics, and other household items. Platforms like eBay and Gumtree make it simple to list items for sale and instantly connect you with interested buyers across Australia and internationally. Bear in mind that these platforms usually charge for their services in the form of listing fees and commissions, so make sure you factor that in when calculating how much you’ll make.
Pet owners are often thankful for an extra pair of hands when it comes to walking or looking after their furry friends, so why not set up your own pet sitting or walking service? In place of a typical fee, ask people to donate to your fundraiser instead – owners might feel especially inclined to support your cause if you’ve set up an animal fundraiser.
To get started, you can advertise your services in your local community or on social media, reaching out to friends, family, and neighbours who might need a hand with their pets. Whether it’s daily dog walks, weekend pet sitting, or even just dropping by to feed and check on pets, offering flexible options can appeal to a wide audience of pet owners.
Start your personal fundraising journey today by choosing a cause that you’re passionate about and selecting a fundraising idea that fits your skills and interests. Whether it’s selling unwanted items or offering your skills as a service, your efforts can make a real difference.