Your fundraiser title is one of the first things people will read, so it’s important to try to capture people’s attention while giving insight into what you’re raising money for. GoFundMe titles for medical fundraisers should be specific. For example, “Help Martha Fight Cancer” tells people more than “Martha’s fundraiser.” For more examples and specific tips, read our blog post Six Smart Ways to Write a Powerful Fundraiser Title.

Your fundraiser story is the place to let readers know what you or your beneficiary is going through. You may be tempted to keep your story as short as possible. Still, people will be more willing to support your cause if they fully understand the financial, physical, and emotional troubles you’re experiencing.

Introduce yourself and the main characters in your GoFundMe fundraising page. Start with the most important information. Be honest and direct with your supporters. Keep it brief and heartfelt. You can always add more details later if needed.

When writing your fundraiser story, try to answer these questions:

• What happened?
• How has this affected your life or your beneficiary’s life? Share details about their life before and after diagnosis.
• What is the recommended treatment and potential medical costs?
• How will these funds help you or your beneficiary?

We understand that medical issues can be personal, so only share the details you’re comfortable with.

If you need more help writing your story, read our blog post Writing Your Fundraiser Story: A Comprehensive Guide.

Photos can draw others into your story and help them trust your fundraiser. Most people will feel more comfortable donating to a cause when they can see photos of the person their funds will be going to. Be sure to use high-quality images that show you or your beneficiary. It can be challenging to be vulnerable in this way, but this vulnerability inspires people to support you during this difficult time.

Create emotionally engaging videos to share your diagnosis and explain how donations will help your recovery. Videos can powerfully connect with donors, raise awareness, and increase donations. Use GoFundMe’s “record a video” feature to start your fundraiser or add a video update to an existing fundraiser. Videos can tell your story in a way that images can’t and touch the hearts of your supporters.

Some ideas on how to use video for your fundraiser:

• Produce a short video introducing yourself and explaining why you are fundraising in a selfie-style format to help donors understand the cause. Share it on Instagram or TikTok.
• Create a video tribute to pay homage to the person you are raising funds for. Make sure that the video is of high quality and captures the essence of the individual’s life and achievements.
• Celebrate reaching a fundraising milestone halfway to your goal or one week away from a related event or date.

Sharing your fundraiser with everyone you know is one of the most important actions you can take in reaching your fundraising goals. We understand that asking for help can be difficult, but your network truly wants to support you during your time of need. These are some tips to help you share your fundraiser online:

• Learn the best way to ask for donations before reaching out to anyone.
• Reach out to a few close friends or family members first to become more comfortable with asking for support.
• Use these fundraising email templates if you need to get past writer’s block.
• Simply asking people if they can share your fundraiser with their contacts and social media is another easy way to gain support.

If you’ve exhausted your online fundraising efforts, it can be helpful to take your fundraising efforts offline. Fundraising without social media can open up new opportunities and help you connect with potential supporters in a more personal way. Asking for support offline can mean anything from making phone calls to using email. Fundraising events are another opportunity to ask for donations and gain support locally:

• Local community events like car washes, pancake breakfast, bake sales, or partnerships with local businesses
• Host a charity silent auction with items from local artists and businesses
• Create a fundraising challenge with a marathon and pledges
• Ask people to participate on a talent show or walk-a-thon
• Sell old clothes through a block party or yard sale
• Offer handmade cards or flower arrangements from your garden
• Teach a class online and raise more funds for medical expenses
• Organize a trivia night or karaoke night at a local bar

Once people donate, they’ll be eager to know how you’re doing and how the funds are helping. The best way to keep people in the loop is by regularly writing fundraiser updates. If you aren’t feeling up for that, you can always ask a close friend or family member to write them on your behalf.

• After using the funds for your cause, update donors on the impact of their donation to inspire more giving.
• Update your supporters about upcoming fundraiser events and milestones at least weekly.
• Let your supporters know if you need additional help.
• If you’re organizing a fundraiser for someone else, consider including quotes or updates from the person to express their gratitude.
• Don’t forget to post a final update once you’ve decided to end your fundraiser.

Using GoFundMe for medical bills can be a powerful way to raise money. Still, you might have other needs that need to be met. Do your pets need to be cared for while you’re in the hospital receiving medical treatment? Would a hot meal be a relief after a day of doctor’s appointments or while you’re in the hospital?

List these needs under a title that says, “Other ways you can help.” This is a great way for people who may not be able to contribute financially to lend a hand. Have loved ones create a calendar to cover those needs so others can sign up to help with errands and more.

This is a super easy fundraising idea that has a big impact. Be sure to let your donors know how much you appreciate their support by sending thank-you messages. If you aren’t sure how to tell them what a difference their donation has made, take a look at our blog post How to Write a Donation Thank-You Letter: Templates. For other ideas on how to show gratitude, see our blog post 20 Affordable Ways to Say Thank You to Donors.