Tips for running a successful campaign

Donors give faster when they understand exactly what their money will do. Vague goals stall; concrete ones convert.

• Break the total into line items (legal fees, rent, medical bill, supplies).
• Aim for a goal you can credibly reach in 30 days — you can raise it later.
• If you're not sure, start lower. Hitting 100% creates momentum.

The best-performing campaigns read like a letter from a friend. Lead with the person, not the problem.

• Open with who this is for and one sentence about what happened.
• Explain the situation in plain language — no jargon, no legalese.
• Be specific about the ask: what the money covers and the deadline.
• Close with gratitude and a clear next step (donate, share, pray, follow).

Your cover image is the single biggest driver of whether someone reads your story. A face beats a logo every time.

• Use a clear, well-lit photo of the person or family the campaign supports.
• Crop tight. Faces and eye contact outperform wide shots.
• Add a 30–60 second video if you can — phone footage is fine.
• Avoid stock photos. Authentic beats polished.

The first 24–48 hours set the tone. Campaigns with momentum out of the gate raise 3–5× more overall.

• Before going public, line up 5–10 people who will donate on day one.
• Text them personally — don't rely on a mass post.
• A campaign sitting at $0 looks risky. One at $500 looks like it's working.

Most donations come from your own network, not strangers. Lean into that.

• Post on Facebook, Instagram, and X — but also send direct messages.
• WhatsApp, group texts, and church/work email lists outperform public posts.
• Re-share every 3–4 days from a different angle (update, milestone, thank-you).
• Ask 5 people to share your campaign with their networks.

Updates are the #1 thing that brings donors back and triggers repeat shares. Campaigns with updates raise significantly more.

• Post an update every 3–7 days while the campaign is active.
• Share milestones (25%, 50%, 100%), news, photos, or thank-yous.
• Updates email everyone who donated — that's free, warm reach.

A quick, personal thank-you turns one-time donors into repeat sharers — and often, repeat donors.

• Reply to every donation in the first 24 hours.
• Name people in updates (with permission) and on the donor wall.
• Send a final thank-you when the campaign ends, win or lose.

Donors trust organizers who acknowledge complexity. Trying to look perfect costs you more than being real.

• If circumstances change, say so in an update.
• If you raise more than you need, tell donors how the extra will be used.
• If you raise less than you hoped, thank everyone anyway. People remember.

The fundraisers that hit goal are the ones where someone shows up for them every day for a few weeks.

• Block 30 minutes a day to share, reply, and post updates.
• Recruit a co-organizer to share the load if you can.
• Front-load your effort in week 1; momentum compounds.

Verified badges, video, donor wall, and updates all measurably lift donations. Free tools — use them.

• Apply for a Verified Organizer or Nonprofit badge once you're set up.
• Add a campaign video and at least 3 photos.
• Enable the donor wall so contributors can be celebrated publicly.
• Consider UniteGive Boost for featured placement and priority support.