How to Start a Fundraiser for Someone in Need (and Actually Get Donations)

Key Takeaways

  • Before you start, always ask for permission from the person in need.
  • Choose a trusted crowdfunding platform and set a clear, realistic goal tied to specific costs.
  • Write a compelling story that connects with potential donors and includes a good photo or video.
  • Share your fundraiser through personal messages, social media, and community groups, and keep supporters updated frequently.
  • Always express gratitude to your donors and maintain honesty and transparency throughout the process.

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Table of contents

To start a fundraiser for someone in need, get their permission, choose a trusted crowdfunding platform, set a clear and realistic goal, and tell their story honestly with a good photo. Then share it personally with people you know, and keep supporters updated. The fundraisers that succeed aren’t always the saddest stories. They’re the ones that are clear, honest, and shared well.

Before You Start: Ask Permission

This step matters more than any other. Before you create a fundraiser for someone, talk with them first.

Some people are private about their struggles. Others may already have help, or may prefer a different kind of support. A fundraiser shared without permission, even with the best intentions, can feel like an invasion of privacy.

Ask gently: “A lot of people want to help. Would you be comfortable with me starting a fundraiser for you?” Let them decide what details to share and how their story is told.

Step 1: Choose a Trusted Platform

Several crowdfunding sites make it easy to raise money for an individual. GoFundMe is the best known, and others like GiveSendGo and GoGetFunding offer similar tools.

When comparing platforms, look at:

Fees. Many platforms are free to start but take a small processing fee from each donation. Check the current fees on each site’s pricing page, since they change.

How the money reaches the person. Look for a platform that lets you set the person you’re helping as the beneficiary, so donations go directly to them. This builds trust with donors and keeps things simple for you.

Trust and support. Well-known platforms have fraud protections and customer service, which reassures donors.

Step 2: Set a Clear, Realistic Goal

Donors give more confidently when they know exactly what the money is for. Instead of a vague goal, tie it to real costs:

  • “$3,200 to cover two months of rent while Maria recovers from surgery.”
  • “$1,500 to replace the wheelchair ramp damaged in the storm.”

A realistic goal is better than an inflated one. Reaching 100% feels exciting and encourages more giving, while a huge, far-off goal can make people feel their donation won’t matter. You can usually raise the goal later if you reach it.

Step 3: Write a Story That Connects

Your story is the heart of the fundraiser. You don’t need to be a professional writer. You just need to be honest and clear. A simple structure works well:

Who they are. Share a little about the person beyond their hardship. “Tom has coached Little League in our town for 20 years.”

What happened. Explain the situation plainly, without exaggerating.

What the money is for. Be specific about how the funds will be used.

How people can help. Ask for donations, and also ask people to share, even if they can’t give.

Keep it short enough to read on a phone. A few clear paragraphs are better than a long wall of text.

Step 4: Add a Good Photo or Video

People connect with faces. A warm, clear photo of the person you’re helping makes the fundraiser feel real. Choose one that shows them as a person, not only in their hardest moment, and make sure they’re comfortable with the photo you use.

A short video, even a simple one from a phone, can be even more powerful. Hearing someone speak in their own words builds trust quickly.

Step 5: Share It the Right Way

This is where most fundraisers succeed or struggle. Posting a link once and hoping it spreads rarely works. What does work:

Start with your closest circle. Personally message family and close friends first. Early donations show new visitors that others believe in the cause.

Send personal messages, not just group posts. A direct text or email saying “I thought of you because…” is far more effective than a general social media post.

Share in more than one place. Try social media, email, community groups, your place of worship, and local organizations.

Ask people to share. Many people can’t give much, but sharing is free and can reach someone who can.

List it on Chances.org. Our Chances Needed directory connects people in need with kind people looking for ways to help. You can post your chance for free and link directly to your fundraiser.

Step 6: Keep Supporters Updated

Updates keep a fundraiser alive. Every time you post one, supporters are reminded of it, and many will share it again.

Post an update when you reach a milestone, when something changes, or simply to say thank you. Share progress honestly, including challenges. When the need is met, post a final update so supporters know how their kindness helped.

Step 7: Say Thank You

Thank every donor you can, especially early ones. A personal note means a lot, and grateful organizers often find that donors come back to help again or share more widely.

Be Honest and Transparent

Trust is everything in fundraising. A few habits protect it:

Spend the money as promised. If plans change, explain why in an update.

Don’t exaggerate. An honest story is powerful enough.

Be clear about taxes. Donations to individuals are usually not tax-deductible for donors, and it’s best to say so plainly. If you’re raising a large amount, the person receiving the funds may want to check with a tax professional about their situation.

Donors are becoming more careful about where they give. For tips they may use to check your fundraiser, see our guide on [how to tell if a charity is legitimate](add your charity article link). Being transparent helps your fundraiser pass that test easily.

What If Donations Are Slow?

Don’t be discouraged. Many fundraisers start slowly and pick up as they’re shared. Try:

  • Asking a few supporters to share with a personal message of their own.
  • Posting an update with a new photo or detail.
  • Reaching out to a local news outlet or community newsletter if the story has local interest.
  • Remembering that help comes in many forms. Meals, rides, and practical help can matter as much as money.

Every Fundraiser Is a Chance

Starting a fundraiser is a generous act. You’re giving your time and voice to help someone through a hard season, and you’re giving others a chance to help too.

If you’re the one who needs help and aren’t sure how to ask, our article on [how to ask for help without feeling ashamed](add your ask-for-help article link) is a good place to start. And if you’d like to support someone else’s cause, browse Chances Needed to find people and causes that could use a helping hand.

Have questions? Chat with Chance, our friendly guide.

Give a chance. Change a life.

Kindness has a beautiful way of multiplying. Share something thoughtful you recently did for another person, your community, animals, or the planet. Your story does not need to be grand, even the smallest act of kindness may inspire someone else to do good today.

One or two short lines about a kind thing you did. Please leave out names, links, and contact information. Every message is read before it appears.

I gave away some beautiful clothes I no longer wear to a woman who was preparing for job interviews.A friend
I found a lost dog wandering near a busy road and helped reunite him with his very relieved family.A friend
I surprised my husband by taking care of a chore he'd been putting off. He was so happy to have a little extra free time.A friend
I invited a new neighbor to join our walking group. She told me she'd been hoping to make some friends.A friend
I returned a shopping cart that someone had left in the parking lot. One less cart for an employee to collect!A friend
I saw someone struggling to take a family photograph, so I offered to take the picture. Now everyone is in their vacation memory!A friend
← Newer chances given Page 3 of 8 More chances given →
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