How to fundraise for an individual or cause you believe in

Fundraising is the act of collecting money for a certain cause or charity. People can raise funds for a variety of reasons, such as to support an individual in need or an organization that has a mission they believe in. In 2021, more than three billion people donated money, according to the World Giving Index.¹

There are many charities and organizations to donate to, but sometimes people want to set up fundraisers themselves. This could be to gather donations to give to a specific charity and spread word about their cause, help someone with emergency expenses, or crowdfund for a local community. But starting a fundraiser by oneself can sound daunting.

There are a range of resources and fundraising sites for individuals that can help. This article explores different ways to raise funds and a few examples of different causes that might inspire someone to start their own fundraising campaign.

Fundraise online

Fundraising online can help an individual fundraiser reach a global audience of donors who are ready to give to their favorite causes. It just takes finding the right method to collect donations online, such as with fundraising websites for individuals.

Some options to fundraise online are by:

• Using a crowdfunding platform. Crowdfunding sites can be used to collect individual donations in small or large amounts from friends, family, and strangers. These sites can make it easier to spread awareness and reach outside of family and friends and typically allow room to describe the cause in-depth to further encourage donations.
• Collecting donations on social media. Many people start fundraising campaigns on social media, such as on their birthdays or to support a loved one going through a difficult time. Many social media sites allow fundraisers directly through a person’s profile on the site, so it can often just require making a new post, selecting a charity or organization, and setting a goal. People can then donate directly through the social media post.
• Launching a campaign with an online financial platform. Some digital services allow for collection of donations via their website or apps. For example, fundraising campaigns can be run through PayPal. The Giving function allows users the opportunity to set a goal amount, tell the story behind the campaign and inform donors what the donations will go toward, and share a fundraiser link to help spread the word. Using an online financial platform can potentially make private or individual fundraisers easier to manage as collecting donations directly into a financial platform could allow for simpler transfer/donation of funds.

Online fundraising options can be a useful option if someone isn’t able to physically get out in person to fundraise, giving people the ability to donate virtually anywhere — whether that’s from their couch or on the go.

It’s important to note that some online platforms may take a piece of the money being raised. Some may mention this as a processing fee, and some platforms may also include a spot to give a percentage of a donation to the platform. Be sure to review all terms to understand what fees may be involved.

Fundraise in person

Fundraising in person and meeting donors face-to-face is another method. There are many ways to collect donations in person or plan events around fundraising efforts. Common examples of in-person fundraisers include:

• Bake sales
• Clothing drives
• Yard sales
• Car washes
• Charity walks, rides, or marathons
• Raffles
• Art shows
• Trivia nights
• Local restaurant partnerships

Building an interactive experience can create an impactful fundraiser or attract donors that may not have known about the cause being fundraised for. These options can also be a good choice for private fundraising for individuals, adding a more personal element for those that are donating.

And just because a fundraiser is in person doesn't mean collecting donations via physical cash or checks the old-fashioned way. With the right tools, it’s possible to securely gather digital donations in just a few taps.

Things people can fundraise for

There are a wide variety of causes to start personal fundraisers and collect donations for — like supporting friends and family or raising money for community charities.

By launching a personal campaign, you could harness the benefits of donating to charity. For example, charitable giving has been found to improve happiness, increase feelings of wealth, and even reduce stress.^2,3

Here are a few common causes people start fundraisers for:

Schools

Fundraising websites can be used for school donations and gathering support for local community institutions and events.

For instance, people often fundraise for things like their child's school, an alma mater, a school sports event, or an educational trip. Starting an individual fundraiser can help community members gather money for expensive school resources, teacher support, or even a new school building or wing.

Local businesses

Local businesses and nonprofits are a popular option for fundraisers. Maybe there’s a mom-and-pop shop that's been struggling, a neighborhood restaurant in need of a renovation or a local charity with an impactful mission. No matter the cause, utilizing digital or in-person fundraising methods can be an effective way to gather donations and support local business.

Friends and family

Fundraising isn't just for charities and businesses in need of support. It’s possible to raise funds for friends, family, and loved ones — either to help them through a difficult time or contribute to a cause they believe in.

Fundraising sites are popularly used to help cover medical expenses or assisting a family in need during an emergency, but there are many examples beyond those. For instance, people may utilize these sites to fundraise for a youth sports team, education costs, emergency pet expenses, or even kickstarting a personal small business or foundation.

Setting up a fundraiser can be a rewarding experience for many. With in-person and digital methods available, supporting the causes most important to you can become a reality.

Learn about supporting the causes you believe in with PayPal.