Drive donations with these fundraising sharing tips
When it comes to online fundraising, you need to do all you can to maximize your chances of reaching your potential donors. This will mean seizing every opportunity to shout about your efforts and link to your donation page.
No matter what type of fundraiser you’re running, our sharing tips will help maximize your fundraising efforts.
1. Share your GoFundMe immediately
Once you publish your GoFundMe fundraiser, aim to share it within the next 10 hours to start gaining momentum. The sooner you hit publish and start sharing on your charity fundraiser, the sooner you can start raising money and awareness.
Getting started can be intimidating, but you needn’t be shy. Start by sharing with loved ones and your community to build confidence, and then share your link with your broader circles.
Remember: if no one can access your fundraiser, you’re not going to raise any money.
2. Ask friends to help you spread the news
Tap into your loved ones to leverage their networks. 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. You could create a little friendly competition between your loved ones to encourage them to share it as widely as possible.
3. Use specifics when sharing your fundraiser
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. Read our tips on writing an effective fundraising campaign story for more ideas.
Example: “A donation of $35 helps cover one tank of gas for the drives to and from the hospital.”
4. Highlight timely moments or milestones to drive urgency
Let people know if you need to reach your fundraising goal by a certain date. This can motivate your supporters to donate immediately 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?”
5. Reach out to your neighborhood
“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.
6. Record a video
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.
7. Share on weekday mornings
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.
8. Get active for your cause
Do you like to stay active? Create your own walkathon-style challenge by informing donors that you will be running, walking, swimming, climbing, or cycling a certain number 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.
9. Leverage birthdays and important dates
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.”
10. Create a Facebook Event for your fundraiser
Invite all of your Facebook friends. You can ask people to share high-quality 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.
11. Share with people who have similar interests
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 high-quality photo!) in a dog-related Facebook group, Reddit thread, or other forum.
12. Regularly share your fundraiser link on different social networking platforms
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.
13. Write your fundraiser link in an unexpected place
Chalk it on the sidewalk? Post a sign on your front lawn? Create a bumper sticker for your car. The more creative, the better—this is a great way to create excitement around your fundraiser in addition to social media.
14. Send a handwritten letter to friends and family
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.
15. Team up with a local business
There are many ways to run effective partnerships with a local business. Reach out to a business that shares your values and propose a number of ideas to see which suits them. From event sponsorship to donation matching, your collaboration can help raise funds and awareness for your cause.
Make sure to thank the business for their help in your fundraiser journey.
16. Step outside of your direct network
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.
17. Host a fundraising event to remember
Hosting a fundraising event will not only help you raise awareness and money for your cause. It’s a win-win. From silent auctions and galas to walkathons and raffles, there are plenty of easy fundraising event ideas that can help you encourage charitable giving amongst your community.
Check out our fundraising ideas for more inspiration for your next event.
18. Post creative shoutouts in your updates
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.
19. Use your special talents to creatively drive donations
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.”
20. Connect with a local event or gathering
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.
Create your fundraiser and start sharing today
From running a fundraising event to teaming up with local businesses, there are plenty of ways to boost your fundraising efforts through sharing.
And now that you know how, it’s time to get started. GoFundMe is a trusted, safe, and reliable crowdfunding platform trusted by millions across the world.