GoFundMe Fundraiser Tips
Running a fundraiser takes time, effort, and sometimes a bit of creativity, but we are here to help. Sharing your GoFundMe link often is an important way to get noticed, but you don’t have to rely only on social media. Use this list of fundraiser sharing tips to help you reach your fundraising goal.
Once you publish your GoFundMe fundraiser, aim to share it within the next 10 hours to start gaining donation momentum. Start with sharing your GoFundMe link with at least three of your closest friends and family, and ask if they would consider donating to help you kickstart your fundraising efforts. Then, share your link with your broader circles.
You don’t have to do the work by yourself. Think of three or more friends or family members who are active on social media or might be willing to put in extra effort to help you reach your fundraising goal. Reach out to them directly and ask them to help you spread the word about your GoFundMe by sharing your fundraising link with their networks.
We’ve seen that potential donors like to know how the money they donate will be used. Share specifics about how the money you raise will be used. Knowing these extra details can help donors feel more confident to give.
Example: “A donation of $35 helps cover one tank of gas for the drives to and from the hospital.”
Let people know if you need to reach your fundraising goal by a certain date. This can motivate your supporters to donate right away and help you reach your goal more quickly.
Example: “We are raising money to honor my grandmother at her memorial service on March 4.”
Similarly, sharing fundraising progress is an important way to show donors the impact of their donations on your journey. When you reach a milestone, share the achievement with your supporters. This will also let them know how far away you are from reaching your goal and may prompt them to donate or share your fundraiser with their networks again.
Example: “I am halfway to reaching my fundraising goal of raising school supplies for my daughter’s classroom! Will you help me reach my goal by donating $10 or sharing?”
“How do I get my GoFundMe noticed?” is a question you may be asking yourself. One way to do this is by spreading the word about your fundraiser within your neighborhood. Put up flyers with your fundraiser link at local events, places of worship, alumni groups, gyms, coffee shops, or wherever you spend time in your community. Making a QR code that links to your GoFundMe is another great way to help people quickly find your fundraiser.
While photos are meaningful, potential donors may connect with your story at an even deeper level if you record a simple, heartfelt video on your phone and share it with your fundraiser link. Learn more on our video fundraising tips page.
One of the best times of day to spread the word about your fundraiser is on weekday mornings. If you can, block off a few minutes each morning to share your fundraiser. Or use the general ‘schedule’ feature for emails and social media posts to be automatically sent out at a dedicated time multiple times throughout the week.
Do you like to stay active? Create your own ‘challenge’ by informing donors that you will be running, walking, swimming, climbing, or cycling a certain amount of miles to raise money for your cause. Ask them if they would consider donating $1 (or another relevant amount) per mile you plan to complete. After you cross the ‘finish line’, be sure to update your donors with photos and thank them for their support.
Do you or a loved one have a birthday or other important holiday coming up? Leverage the timing of these special occasions in your ask to drive donations.
Example: “Please consider donating $15 on May 15 to help celebrate my birthday and support my favorite cause.”
Invite all of your Facebook friends. You can ask people to share photos, videos, memories, and comments on Facebook that are relevant to your fundraiser. Be sure to paste your fundraiser link in the event description. Check out our blog post on more Facebook fundraising tips.
Post your fundraiser in a group that’s related to your cause. For example, if you are raising money to help cover the cost of your dog’s surgery, consider sharing the link and your dog’s story (be sure to include a photo!) in a dog-related Facebook group, Reddit thread, or other forum.
If you’re wondering where to share your GoFundMe link, your social media accounts are a great place to start. We have seen that sharing your GoFundMe link and story on different social media platforms at least three times a week will help you continue to raise money. Remember to focus your post on why your fundraiser means so much to you, and be sure to thank those who have already supported you.
For example, you can share your fundraiser on Instagram in a post or story. Other great places to share your GoFundMe are TikTok, WhatsApp, Twitch, and Nextdoor.
On your car? Chalk it on the sidewalk? Post a sign on your front lawn? The more creative, the better—this is a great way to create excitement around your fundraiser in addition to social media.
You don’t need social media to share your GoFundMe link with your friends and family. Get out a pen and paper and write a short letter telling your fundraising story and asking the recipient if they would consider donating to or sharing your GoFundMe.
See if a local business will offer a fundraising night for your cause in which they donate a percentage of the proceeds to your fundraiser. Or, see if a coffee or sandwich shop will temporarily name an item after your fundraiser. For example, “Daniel’s Dream Deluxe,” or “Cathy’s Battle Cappuccino.” Make sure to thank the business for their help in your fundraiser journey.
Post your fundraiser link on your city’s Facebook page or your Nextdoor community. This is a great way to reach out to local folks you may not know, but who might be willing to help your cause by sharing your fundraiser link, donating, or supporting you in other ways.
This will do two big things—first, you’ll raise money for your cause. Next, you’ll spread awareness about your fundraiser to those in your community. You can serve cups of lemonade, and instead of charging a fee, ask if people would consider donating to your fundraiser. Bodhi’s lemonade stand fundraiser supporting San Diego’s homeless youth is a great example of how online and offline fundraising can work together to make a difference for a cause. Check out our other fundraising event ideas for more inspiration.
Getting creative with fundraising updates to thank and show your appreciation for those who have donated can be an engaging way to drive donors. For example, you can post a photo of yourself holding a ‘thank you’ sign with all your donors’ names. Or, if the tone is right for your cause, share a ‘thank you’ dance video you choreographed with your pet.
Are you a singer, a poet, or a great photographer? Get your supporters excited to keep up with your fundraising journey by posting “10 Days of Songs” videos or “30 Days of Beautiful Photo Updates.”
Is a local event, county fair, or concert happening in your area? Ask if the event coordinators are interested in helping you promote your fundraiser during their event. For example, giving you the mic for a few moments to explain your cause, or allowing fundraiser signs at the entrance.