Tips for funeral and memorial fundraising success

Tell your loved one’s story

Your fundraiser story is an opportunity to write a tribute to your loved one and explain what he or she meant to you. By including images and videos of him or her at different points in life, others can reminisce about the times they shared together or learn new things about their life. Here are some other tips:

• Create a descriptive fundraiser title. “Paying tribute to Marie,” is far more interesting than simply “Funeral expenses.”
• If you’re not related to the deceased, be sure to clarify your relationship to him or her so there’s no confusion among donors.
• Share a few of your favorite memories of your loved one.

If you’re having a hard time finding the right words, read our blog post Your Fundraiser Story: A Comprehensive Guide.

Share specific financial needs

The high cost of funeral services is a huge point of stress for many families who have just lost a loved one. If you have a large fundraising goal, it’s important to let your supporters know what items you’re fundraising for. This will help others understand why you’ve chosen a specific fundraising goal, and can encourage more giving.

See these blog posts for more memorial fundraising tips:

• Funeral Savings Guide: Everything You Need to Think About
• How You Can Get Help With Burial Expenses

List other ways people can help

Coping with death can affect every area of someone’s life, which means there is a lot of room for others to pitch in and help. Maybe you need someone to pick your kids up from school or walk your dog. Or perhaps you need someone to write an obituary and deliver a eulogy at the service.

List these needs under a title that says “Other ways you can help” on your fundraiser page. This will allow people to show their love and support in creative ways if they aren’t able to make a monetary funeral donation.

Related reading: How to Help Someone Who Is Grieving

Share your fundraiser far and wide

Sharing your fundraiser with everyone you know is the number one way to receive donations. You can use social media to promote your fundraiser, and then ask others to share your posts with their contacts. 

If you’ve exhausted social media efforts, why not try fundraising without social media? You can reach out via email, phone, and text. It isn’t always easy to ask for donations while grieving, but our fundraising email templates can make seeking support less intimidating. You can also ask friends or close family members to help with outreach efforts.

Keep your supporters involved

Once people donate, they’ll want to know how their donations have helped, or if you still need help reaching your goal. Posting fundraiser updates is the perfect way to keep supporters in the loop while showing them your appreciation. Here are some other ideas of what to include in updates:

• Give progress updates on your fundraising goals to inspire more donations.
• Write a donation thank you letter to individual supporters for large contributions, or post a general thank-you message to everyone. 
• Share a favorite memory of your loved one with a photo.

Celebration of Life- Chase Davison

Chase was just 30 years old when he tragically lost his life in a car accident. Chase’s sister wanted to support his wife and her young children, so she started a GoFundMe that raised over $85,000. The funds were used to support Chase’s family and hold a celebration of life ceremony for him.

See the fundraiser

Laura’s Cancer Battle

Laura touched many lives as a program manager at the University of Houston. After she passed away, students and colleagues wanted to honor her memory and help Laura’s husband. They started a GoFundMe that raised close to $5,000 to pay for medical and funeral expenses.

See the fundraiser

Our Amazing Friend Jae Haydon

After Jae lost his life while traveling in Bali, Indonesia, his good friend Mark took action and created a GoFundMe for his family. Mark helped raised over $68,000 so Jae’s family could bring him home to Australia for a proper celebration of life.

See the fundraiser

Begin fundraising for funeral and memorial costs

If you’re having trouble finding organizations that help with funeral expenses or need funds right away, GoFundMe wants to help. Through our fundraising model, you can keep more of the money you raise and receive donations to your bank account within just a few days. Whether you’re raising money for funeral expenses, or any other fundraising occasion, for your family or helping a friend in need, memorial fundraising allows you to dedicate your time and energy to what matters. Sign up and start a fundraiser for funeral expenses today.

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Our favorite tips for charity fundraising

Find the right organization and cause

If you’re not sure about which organization or cause you want to support, start with some general interests, such as helping animals, children, or communities in need. The number of causes out there is almost endless and organizations of all sizes may need your help. A great place to get started is a charity directory like the one maintained by Guidestar. Guidestar provides a huge database of organizations for almost any cause, so it’s a great place to start your search for the right charity to support.

Do your research

If you are raising funds on behalf of an organization, double check with their financial administrator to ensure they are able to accept donations raised via crowdfunding. This information should be available on their website.

Key points to include:

• Your name and if you are affiliated with this charity or organization.
• Why this cause means so much to you personally.
• Exactly how all funds will be used and who will be withdrawing any funds raised. We promote complete transparency between our donors and their supporters.

Target your audience

Find those who share your passion and same interests. For example, if you’re raising funds to help a local zoo or animal habitat, you will want to find people who share a love and passion for helping animals. This might be your dog groomer or someone who fosters animals. Check out Facebook groups similar to your cause to find people out of your network who share common interests. These people can help support and promote your fundraiser.

Organize an event

Host a potluck, dinner party, or create a Facebook event to kick off your fundraiser. Trying out new charity fundraising ideas like an event is a great way for you to share your cause and fundraiser with your friends and engage donors. At the event, you can hand out posters you’ve made or even print business cards. Customize your fundraiser link to make it easier to remember. And don’t forget to bring a tablet or mobile device for easy mobile giving.

Say thanks

Don’t forget to thank your donors for their kindness and generosity. A simple thank you can go along away. This small gesture can be used to encourage your donors to continue sharing and supporting your cause. For unique ideas for showing gratitude read 20 Affordable Ways to Say Thank You to Donors.

Put our fundraising tips for charity to work

Now that you have a place to start with these tips for charity fundraising, start a fundraiser is the next easy step.  With GoFundMe, it only takes a few minutes and you’ll be on your way to raising money for your favorite charity. Get started today and get the support your organization needs.

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Top fundraising tips for cancer patients

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.

Examples of successful cancer fundraisers

Rob Wright Needs Us

Rob is well known in the West Kootenay and in the Nelson sports community as hockey coach and metal worker. Rob was diagnosed with kidney cancer, and the community of Nelson and his sports family raised over $40,000 for his treatments.

Jacob DeForge’s Battle Against Leukemia

In February 2017 at age 12, Jacob DeForge was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).  Since that day, the DeForge family world had been forever changed. After exhausting treatment options and years of gruelling chemotherapy, Jacob was accepted into a trial study at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Nearly $50,000 has been raised to support Jacob as he continues to fight.

Looking for more inspiration? See how even more people have used cancer fundraising to relieve their financial burdens.

Find the help you need today

Remember that you’re not alone on this journey. Your network wants to help, and GoFundMe gives them the tools to rally around you and offer financial support. We provide fundraising so you can meet your fundraising goals faster, and our Customer Care team is available 24/7 to lend an extra hand. Sign up today to begin fundraising.

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The keys to a successful fundraising strategy are to reach your target audience, connect with their emotions, and encourage them to donate. One of the first steps to doing this is creating a fundraising page that potential supporters can visit to not only understand your cause but also pledge their support.

Whether you post on social media or use email marketing, a powerful fundraising title allows potential supporters to instantly understand what your fundraiser is about and why they should make a donation.

If you are unsure what you should include in your fundraiser title, check out the tips on this page to supercharge your fundraising efforts.

6 tips for writing your GoFundMe fundraiser title

Writing an effective fundraiser title can make or break your fundraiser. The fight for people’s attention has never been greater, and if you want people to engage with your fundraising page, you need your fundraising title to stand out and make them click.

Whatever type of fundraising campaign, these tips will help you attract new donors and reach your fundraising goal.

1. Try a suggested title

Once you’ve written your fundraiser campaign story, GoFundMe will automatically suggest a few fundraiser titles designed to inspire new supporters. Select whichever suggested title you like best, or try writing your own.

2. Use names and details when possible

Adding personal details to your fundraising campaign title should help set you up for fundraising success. Where possible, try using details like names of who you are helping (if it isn’t you), or specifically what funds will be used for.

For example, if you are raising money for your neighbor who lost their home to wildfires, try a title like “Help the Johnson Family rebuild their home.” Or if you are fundraising for college tuition, try a title like “Help me pay for college tuition to become a teacher.”

3. Utilize “action” words

An action word (or verb) expresses something that a person can do. Action words like “help,” “support,” “fund,” and “grow” can help prompt potential donors to support your cause.

The most powerful fundraising titles act like a call to action, encouraging potential donors to make a donation. Starting your fundraising title with a verb will also help convey a sense of urgency, which is vital when you want people to act.

This can look something like “Support the Bolton Family after their loss” or “Help my new coffee business grow.” For more action words, visit this list from Thesaurus.com.

4. Avoid one-word titles

Action words like “help,” “support,” “fund,” and “grow,” can help prompt potential donors to donate, but you should always include a bit more detail. This can look something like “Support the Bolton Family after their loss” or “Help my new coffee business grow.”

Appeal to prospective donors by adding in detail and emotive language that will make them want to make an online donation and help you reach your fundraising campaign goals.

5. Utilize title case punctuation

Writing your title in title case, which means capitalizing the first letter of every word, is a great way to help readers read your title clearly. An example of a fundraiser in title case is, “Help My Mom Take Her Dream Trip.” Try to avoid using all-cap format (such as HELP) as it can confuse potential donors or come across as suspicious.

6. Remember, you can change your title

If you make a mistake in your GoFundMe’s title, don’t worry. You can always change your fundraiser title if you need or want to make changes.

We recommended that you avoid changing your title too many times so that people who have donated already can find your title again. Also, if you follow up with an update to your supporters when you reach certain fundraising milestones, they’ll recognize your fundraiser title.

Find out more about how to change your GoFundMe’s title in this help center article.

Start sharing your fundraiser as soon as you’re ready

Once you’ve crafted your fundraiser title and campaign page, it’s time to get sharing and reach potential donors.

Start by sharing with friends and family members. You can do this by sending the link to your donation page or telling them in person.

Once you’ve shared with your immediate network, start posting on social media platforms to rally supporters. Ask your existing network to share it on their own pages, too. It might help to share some pre-made social media posts for them to share.

Fundraising emails can also be super effective for outreach, especially if you have access to an existing mailing list or are able to send to work colleagues. See our blog post on fundraising email templates to inspire you.

Create your fundraising campaign today

Now that you know how to craft the perfect fundraising title, what are you waiting for? Publish your fundraiser and start sharing it. Check out our fundraising ideas to help you reach your goals.

GoFundMe is a safe, trusted, and effective fundraising platform to host your fundraising campaign. GoFundMe has raised over $30 billion through crowdfunding with more than 150 million supporters, so we know a thing or two about what makes a good fundraiser title.

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When it comes to classroom fundraising, you can raise funds for classroom materials, after-school programs, field trips, or any other initiative that supports student learning. Whether you’re fundraising for teachers, school supplies, an education program, or a student, we’re here to help you raise the funding you need. Use these classroom fundraising tips to help hit your fundraising goals.

Thousands of teachers have launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to support their classrooms. Here is a guide to setting up an online fundraiser for your school, along with tips on how to effectively raise money.

Teachers who start a GoFundMe for their classroom can get up to $500 from GoFundMe.org

Learn more

6 school fundraising ideas

Whether you’re fundraising for an elementary school, middle school, or high school, following some fundamental tips will make all the difference. Here are six school fundraising ideas to get you started.

1. Tell your story with heart

In your fundraiser description, tell us why you’re raising funds and about the classroom you hope to support. What is special about the teacher or the students? What are you proud of and want people to know? How will these funds impact the students’ lives?

The best education fundraisers include their love for the students and teacher appreciation right in the description. Include as much heart and soul as possible, so donors get a genuine sense of what their donation will support. For in-depth tips, read our blog on tips for how to write your fundraiser story.

2. Provide details about the need

Whether you’re fundraising for classroom projects and school supplies, it’s important to share full details about what you need, including total costs and an itemized list.

You don’t need to explain every item, but mentioning a few can help set the scene. For example, your class might need new chapter books that cost about $12 each, and you need 25 of them. This may also help donors determine how much they can afford to donate. You can ask if they would consider, for example, donating enough for two books.

Are you fundraising for a long-term need? You may want to consider listing your classroom’s monthly needs and asking donors to consider recurring donations.

3. Include photos and video

Donors love to see photos and videos of students, teachers, and classrooms. If possible, include a simple video filmed on your phone that helps explain who you are and why you are raising funds will go a long way. If you have permission, include any photos or videos of students. Adding a personal touch can help more potential donors support your fundraiser.

For tips on using video in your fundraiser, check out our video fundraising tips.

4. Spread the word

We’ve found that there is considerable enthusiasm for educational fundraisers. People are typically glad to have the opportunity to help a specific class or project. We know asking for help can be hard, so we put together these tips for sharing your fundraiser. Try sharing your fundraiser with community members, friends, and family. Consider sharing on social media, via email, and in person.

Encourage your connections to share the fundraiser, even if they aren’t able to contribute themselves. You may be surprised by the people who want to donate to your fundraiser.

5. Host fundraising events

Fundraising events are a fantastic way to raise money and get the school community together. Low-effort fundraising events can include a car wash, movie night, raffle, or a walk-a-thon. Check out our easy fundraising event ideas for more detailed tips.

Consider hosting the event to coincide with key school dates, such as a back-to-school bake sale or spring break silent auction. Raise money by charging a small admission fee or by directing people to your GoFundMe fundraising page.

6. Say thanks

Thanking your donors is an essential final step. Taking a few minutes to send personal thank-you messages goes a long way. If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out our post on ways to say thank you to donors.

Keeping in touch with your supporters is a great way to boost your fundraising efforts, as it may inspire recurring donations. Always remember to include a link to your GoFundMe fundraising page.

Raise funds for classroom and school supplies

Crowdfunding is an effective way to raise vital funds for classroom and school supplies. Whether you’re a student, parent, or teacher, GoFundMe is a safe and trusted fundraising platform to raise money for your school.

By crowdfunding for teachers, they can focus on giving their students the best education possible. If you’re a teacher, consider fundraising for your own classroom to receive extra financial support. Ready to get started? Start your fundraiser today.

The post Classroom fundraising tips for the 2024-2025 school year appeared first on GoFundMe (CA).

5 tips for using social media to help reach your fundraising goal:

1. Announce your fundraiser with a dedicated post

Your first social media post is your first opportunity to catch your donors’ attention and share your story. In your post, be sure to include:

• what or who you’re fundraising for
• why this cause matters to you or why you’re fundraising
• how the funds will be used
• the link to the GoFundMe
• an ask of your followers to share and donate if they can

Be as authentic and honest as possible—it’s what will get people to give and share. On some social media platforms, you won’t be able to add your GoFundMe link directly to the post (for example, Instagram). Instead, you’ll need to add the link to your bio so that your followers can easily visit your fundraiser. Keep in mind that on Tiktok, you won’t be able to add a link to your account until you have at least 1000 followers, so let people know in the video how to find your GoFundMe (for example: “go to gofundme.com and search for ‘Johnny Appleseed’ to find my fundraiser” or include the URL within the on-screen text option). You can even update your GoFundMe link to make it something short and easy to remember.

2. Ask friends and family to post 

To reach more people outside of your circle, it can be helpful to rely on others. Here are a few action items to consider:

• Ask your friends to reshare your social media posts. On most social media platforms, they can do this by clicking “share” or “repost” so that their followers get the chance to see your fundraiser, too.
• Ask your friends to create their own post that features your fundraiser. You can send them photos, video, or a suggested caption to help you spread the word, or encourage them to explain in their own words why they supported your cause. Did you know? You can add friends and family to your fundraising team as well.

3. Post about milestones to help drive donations

We’ve seen that potential donors may be more inclined to donate when they feel connected to your timeline or mission. If you’re halfway to your fundraising goal, lean into the moment and ask if donors would consider helping you get to your goal. The more specific you can get with your ask, the more the post will help drive donations. 

Example: “We are halfway to our goal to purchasing a new wheelchair for my mom. If 10 more people donate $25, we will reach our goal! Would you consider being one of those donors?”

4. Utilize video to tell your story

Video is a great way to connect with your followers—and if you record using your phone’s camera feature, you can upload it across all your social media profiles. If you feel comfortable being on camera, try posting a selfie-style video that introduces your fundraiser using all the talking points above. If you’re fundraising for someone else, you can film together so that your followers can meet the beneficiary, too.

Try using video for daily updates on Instagram Stories or Facebook Stories. These posts expire after 24 hours—making it a great, quick way to keep your friends and family updated on your cause and fundraising efforts. Check out more video fundraising tips here.

5. Reach out to your neighborhood

A common misconception of fundraising is that you can post once and reach your goal. To help achieve your fundraiser’s milestones, we’ve seen organizers post on their social media channels 3-5 times in the first 7 days. Why? Posting several times across all your social media channels in a week can:

• Ensure those who may have missed your first post have the opportunity to see it again
• Act as a reminder to those who wanted to donate, but may have forgotten
• Give people another opportunity to share or interact with your content

Bonus tip: Try to avoid posting the same content every time. Aim to add new photos or video, along with updates or new information. Your followers will want to know how your fundraiser is progressing and how their donations are making a difference—it may convince them to give again, and ensure your consistent posting is not being perceived as “spam.”

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