Six Cancer Fundraising Tips to Help You Raise More Money

1. Find an advocate

Creating and managing a fundraiser takes time and energy. In fact, you will receive the most support by sharing your fundraiser frequently and creatively with your community. We know it can be a challenge to focus on other tasks while in treatment—so this is when a fundraising team comes into play.

A trusted friend or family member can take point on managing your fundraiser and assembling a fundraising team that can help spread the word about your cause. To keep everyone organized, your crew of supporters can also help you create a fundraising plan.

2. Be transparent about your financial needs

While some financial help for cancer patients comes from the government and organizations, it’s rarely enough to cover all expenses. It can be tough to ask for help, but listing all of your expenses will give your donors an understanding of your financial situation and why you’ve chosen your fundraising goal. Don’t forget to account for any out of pocket medical expenses when setting your fundraising goal.

3. Write a compelling fundraiser story

Your written fundraiser story is critical to fundraising success. It allows potential supporters to connect with you and get to know your history. People love it when you’re clear and honest, so try to answer these questions when crafting your story:

1. How will these funds help you? Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.  
2. What treatments will you be going through? (Chemo, surgery, clinical trials, etc.)
3. What are the expected costs of everything? You can even include photos of medical bills (with personal information hidden).

If you’re feeling creative, why not come up with a catchy hashtag to use in your fundraiser? A hashtag makes it easy for your supporters to follow your story on social media.

4. Let others know your needs

Asking for financial support isn’t always easy, but remember that your friends and family members want to help. One of the best, low-pressure ways to reach out to your network is through a fundraising letter. You can encourage people to visit your fundraiser by sharing a small portion of your story in your email, then telling them to “click my fundraiser link to read more and find out how to help.”

Besides asking for financial support, consider asking your friends and family to help in other ways within your fundraiser description. For instance, someone may be able to help you run errands or drop off weekly meals.

If you need a hand coming up with the right words, try one of our fundraising email templates that you can personalize.

5. Post frequent updates

Sharing any news or progress on your fundraiser will keep supporters engaged and encourage continued support. Share the highs and lows of treatment or recovery in your fundraiser updates. Your supporters want to know what you’re going through, whether it’s good or challenging. Feel to get creative with your update messages using videos or images. Having an event? Try using one of our fundraising ideas for cancer patients.