How to Promote a Fundraiser: Essential Tips for Success

6/26/2025

Key Takeaways

• Set SMART goals to clarify your objectives, stay focused, and measure success effectively.
• Build a consistent and recognizable brand that reinforces trust and makes your cause memorable.
• Promote across multiple channels—digital, print, and in-person—to maximize visibility and engagement.
• Empower your supporters to share your campaign with their networks through peer-to-peer promotion.

Effective promotion can make or break your fundraising event. Whether you’re planning a benefit concert, charity auction, or school raffle, how you promote it plays a critical role in attendance, donations, and overall success.

The good news? You don’t need to be a marketing expert to pull off a stellar campaign. The following tips on how to promote a fundraiser apply to all kinds of causes and audiences—and they’re based on real-world results.

How to Promote a Fundraiser

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The most successful promotions blend multiple strategies and evolve over time. Here are a few you can try: 

1. Define clear goals and objectives

Before posting anything, ask yourself: What are we trying to achieve?

Goals should be SMART:

• Specific: Define a clear objective, such as “raise funds for medical equipment.”
• Measurable: Attach numbers to your goals, like “raise $10,000” or “get 500 attendees.”
• Achievable: Set goals that challenge but don’t overwhelm.
• Relevant: Align goals with the core purpose of your fundraiser.
• Time-bound: Establish a deadline to create urgency.

For example, instead of “raise money for school supplies,” a SMART goal would be: “Raise $5,000 in 30 days to provide backpacks and notebooks for 200 students.”

Clear goals help you decide what channels to use, what message to share, and when to share it. Plus, they make it easier to track success and adjust if needed.

2. Build consistent branding

Strong branding builds trust and familiarity. Your visuals, messaging, and tone should reflect your mission and make your fundraiser instantly recognizable.

Take the Irish Heritage Singers, for example. Their event materials—from fundraiser event tickets to social media banners—use the same fonts, colors, and language. That consistency helps reinforce their identity and builds credibility with new and returning donors.

Tips:

• Use a consistent color palette and logo across all materials.
• Choose a slogan or theme that fits your cause.
• Tell a story—why this cause matters and how donors make an impact.

Remember, good branding doesn’t need to be fancy—it just needs to be clear, cohesive, and heartfelt.

3. Leverage social media platforms

Social media is where people hang out—and where fundraisers come to life when used strategically. Instead of posting randomly, build a content calendar. Plan posts leading up to your event, including:

• Personal stories and testimonials
• Behind-the-scenes photos
• Countdown graphics
• Live-stream updates

Betsy Myers, a corporate sponsor of Katie’s Dream, posted themed photos like Katie reaching milestones. It kept supporters emotionally invested and boosted donations.

Platform tips:

• Instagram: Use reels, carousels, and story highlights for visuals.
• Facebook: Set up an event page, go live, and post weekly updates.
• X (Twitter): Use hashtags for updates, milestones, and links.
• TikTok: Create challenge-style videos if targeting a younger audience.

Use #hashtags, tag supporters, and post at peak times (typically evenings or lunch hours).

4. Engage peer-to-peer promotion

People trust personal recommendations more than ads. Tap into this with peer-to-peer promotion. A small network can spark a big ripple when everyone pitches in.

When Nicole Bilson and the Alpha Sigma Chi team hosted Code Red Club Night, they leaned heavily on word-of-mouth, encouraging every member to talk up the event, post on social, and invite friends. The result? A packed house.

How to activate supporters:

• Create shareable images or “I’m supporting ___” badges.
• Encourage people to write why the cause matters to them.
• Launch “tag a friend” or donation challenge chains.

5. Partner with local businesses

Your neighborhood is full of potential partners. Local businesses often want to support community causes—they just need a clear way to help. This exposure adds legitimacy and introduces your cause to a new audience.

Ideas:

• Ask coffee shops to place table tents or event flyers at the counter.
• Partner with a restaurant for a “Give Back Night” (they donate a % of proceeds).
• Collaborate with fitness studios or boutiques for pop-up events.
• Offer mutual shoutouts on social media.

6. Utilize email marketing

Think email is outdated? Think again—it’s still one of the highest-performing tools in any campaign.

Start by segmenting your list:

• Past donors: Share updates and milestones.
• Volunteers: Offer ambassador toolkits.
• New prospects: Introduce your cause and invite participation.

Tips:

• Craft subject lines like “We’re halfway there!” or “Only 3 days left!”
• Include one clear call-to-action per email.
• Send a series: Launch announcement → weekly updates → final push → thank you.
• Use platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact to automate and track your results.

7. Host pre-event activities

Don’t wait until the event to start the party. Pre-event engagement builds anticipation and early support. These interactions get people emotionally invested before they open their wallets.

Ideas:

• Instagram or Facebook Live Q&A with your team or beneficiary
• Virtual countdown contests (e.g., “Guess how many donors by Friday”)
• Sneak peeks of raffle prizes or behind-the-scenes content

8. Offer incentives and challenges

Gamification turns donating into something fun and motivating. Make it interactive. Small rewards or friendly competition can make a big impact.

Ideas:

• Matching gifts (“Every dollar doubled today only!”)
• Donor leaderboard (e.g., Top 5 donors get a shoutout)
• Prize tiers (Donate $50, get a shirt; $100, get entered into a raffle)
• Milestone rewards (Unlock a dance challenge at $1,000!)

9. Optimize your fundraising page

Your fundraising page is more than just a place to collect donations—it’s the heart of your campaign. It’s where your story lives, your mission connects, and your supporters take action. 

Must-haves:

• A compelling mission statement: Begin with a heartfelt, authentic story. Why does this fundraiser matter? Who will it impact? 
• Suggested donation tiers: Don’t leave supporters guessing how much to give. Offer clearly defined options like “$25 = one care package” or “$100 = a week of meals for a family.”
• High-quality images or video: Include high-resolution photos and videos of the people, places, or issues involved. 
• Mobile-friendly layout: Avoid long blocks of text, use large buttons, and test for responsiveness across devices.
• Testimonials and impact metrics: Reinforce credibility and emotional impact with short quotes from people who’ve benefited from your work. Add key numbers, such as “Over 1,000 meals served last year” or “95% of our students graduated on time.”

10. Share regular updates

Regular updates keep people connected and create momentum. Aim for 2–3 updates per week during your campaign. Transparency builds trust—and reminds people you’re still counting on them.

Suggested formats:

• Social media posts (“We’re 75% of the way!”)
• Behind-the-scenes videos
• Blog or newsletter updates
• Donor shoutouts (tag supporters, show gratitude)

11. Thank and recognize donors

Don’t just thank donors—celebrate them. Send personalized messages (emails, cards, or even quick videos). Highlight major supporters publicly on your website or social media, with their permission.

Then, keep the relationship alive. Send follow-up reports on how funds were used, and invite them to future events.

12. Diversify your promotion channels

Digital is fast, but print leaves a lasting impression. Tangible materials make your fundraiser more visible and credible, especially in local spaces.

When Samantha Greenwood hosted All Dressed Up, she combined social media with print: postcards, flyers, and local newspaper listings. This hybrid approach ensured her event reached people online and in the community.

Print tools to consider:

• Event flyers and posters in local businesses
• Table tents for cafes and restaurants
• Custom tickets and wristbands
• Branded t-shirts, buttons, or bags

Tracking and Optimizing Your Promotion

To improve your promotion, you need to know what’s working—and what’s not. Just like setting SMART goals gives your campaign direction, tracking key metrics gives you insight into how your promotional efforts are performing in real time. Data allows you to double down on strategies that drive results and tweak the ones that fall flat.

Metrics to track:

• Email open/click rates
• Social media engagement (likes, shares, comments)
• Website traffic and conversion rates
• Donation patterns (time of day, source, repeat donors)

Tools to use:

• Google Analytics
• Meta Business Suite (Facebook/Instagram)
• Mailchimp or Constant Contact reports

Conclusion

Promoting a fundraiser isn’t just about pushing out information—it’s about connecting with people, building excitement, and showing the impact of giving. With the right mix of strategy, storytelling, and community, your fundraiser can not only meet its goals but exceed them.

Ready to elevate your promotion game? Explore Eventgroove’s custom flyers, fast printing services, and social media templates—designed to help you build a cohesive brand, boost visibility, and drive greater engagement for your fundraiser.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you raise money in a fun way?

Gamify your fundraiser! Offer incentives like raffle entries, prize tiers, and milestone unlocks. Host theme nights, challenges, or virtual contests to make participation enjoyable and memorable.

What are the most effective social media platforms for fundraising promotion?

Facebook and Instagram are top picks for events and visual content. LinkedIn is great for professional and corporate fundraisers. TikTok and Twitter work well for fast, informal, or youth-focused campaigns.

What type of fundraiser makes the most money?

Success comes down to how well it’s planned and promoted. Some high-return fundraisers often include:

• Benefit galas or auctions
• Peer-to-peer fundraising
• Matching gift drives
• Large-scale raffles or ticketed events