How to Post a Fundraiser on Facebook

Raising money on Facebook is one of the most direct ways to support a cause you care about, whether it's for a registered nonprofit or a personal emergency. This guide gives you the step-by-step instructions to get your fundraiser live and the practical strategies to help you reach - and even exceed - your financial goal.

Why Use Facebook for Fundraising?

Before getting into the "how," it's helpful to understand the "why." Facebook's fundraising tools are powerful for a few simple reasons:

• Incredible Reach: Your network is already on the platform. A single share from a friend can expose your cause to hundreds of new potential donors instantly. This built-in social sharing mechanism is hard to beat.
• No Platform Fees (for Nonprofits): For fundraisers benefiting registered charities, Meta covers the donation processing fees. This means 100% of the money donated goes directly to the organization, which is a massive advantage over other platforms.
• Ease of Use: Donating takes just a few clicks without ever leaving the app. This low friction means people are more likely to give on impulse - a huge factor in social media fundraising.

Before You Start: What You'll Need

A little preparation can make all the difference between a fundraiser that thrives and one that stalls. Before you click "create," have these three things ready:

1. A Compelling Cover Photo or Video: This is the first thing people will see. Choose a clear, high-quality image or a short, moving video that captures the essence of your cause. A photo of a person, animal, or community being helped is always more effective than a generic logo.
2. A Clear and Honest Story: You need to write a description that answers three questions: What is the problem? What is the solution you're funding? What will the impact of a donation be? Be specific, be authentic, and be emotional.
3. A Realistic Fundraising Goal: Pick a financial target that is both meaningful and achievable. A smaller, attainable goal that gets met and then extended looks more successful than a huge goal that barely moves. The progress bar visual is a powerful motivator.

How to Set Up a Fundraiser on Facebook: A Step-by-Step Guide

Facebook offers two main types of fundraisers: for a nonprofit charity and for a personal cause. The setup process is slightly different for each.

Creating a Fundraiser for a Nonprofit

This is the best option when you want to raise money for a registered charity. The funds go directly to the organization, and you're simply acting as an advocate.

1. Find the Fundraisers menu: From your Facebook home page, look at the left-hand menu and click "See More," then select "Fundraisers." On mobile, tap the menu (☰) icon and find "Fundraisers" there.
2. Select a Nonprofit: Click the "Raise Money" button. You'll be prompted to choose who you're raising money for. Select "Nonprofit."
3. Search for the Charity: Type in the name of the registered charity you want to support. As you type, Facebook will show you a list of matching organizations. Click the correct one. Make sure it's the right one, as some names can be similar.
4. Set Your Goal and Currency: On the left side of the editor, you'll see details for your fundraiser. Set the total amount you hope to raise and the currency. Also, choose an end date for your campaign. A shorter duration (like one to two weeks) can create a sense of urgency.
5. Write Your Story: This is where you fill in the details.
   • Title: Give your fundraiser a clear, compelling title. Instead of "John's Fundraiser," try "Help John Raise Money for the Local Animal Shelter."
   • Description: Explain why you're raising money for this specific cause. Why does it matter to you? Share a personal connection if you have one. You can use the default text provided by the charity, but adding your own personal touch makes it much more effective.
6. Choose Your Cover Photo: The nonprofit’s default photo will appear, but you can change it to a personal photo or video to make it stand out. A picture of you volunteering, for example, is much more personal.
7. Click "Create": Once everything looks good, hit the "Create" button. Your fundraiser is now live! Facebook will immediately prompt you to share it and invite friends, which you should do right away to build momentum.

Creating a Personal Fundraiser for Yourself or a Friend

Personal fundraisers are for individuals or friends in need and cover categories like medical emergencies, family loss, pet medical costs, and personal crises. Be aware that these fundraisers are reviewed by Facebook to prevent fraud and may have donation processing fees applied.

1. Start the Process: Go to the "Fundraisers" section just like before and click "Raise Money."
2. Choose the Recipient: This time, you'll choose "Yourself," "A Friend," or "Someone or Something Not on Facebook." If you're raising money for a friend, you’ll need to select them from your friends list. They will be notified and have to accept being the beneficiary to receive the funds.
3. Select a Category: You'll be required to pick a category that best describes your cause (e.g., Medical, Vet Bills, Funerals & Loss). This helps Facebook - and potential donors - understand the purpose of the fundraiser.
4. Enter the Details: Fill in your fundraising goal and end date.
5. Craft Your Title and Story: For a personal fundraiser, the story is everything. Be transparent, vulnerable, and specific. Explain the situation clearly, describe what the funds will be used for, and express your gratitude for any support. Creating a budget breakdown ("$500 for rent, $300 for medical bills," etc.) builds trust.
6. Pick a Cover Photo/Video: An authentic photo that connects to the story is essential. Avoid generic stock photos at all costs.
7. Click "Create": After you publish, your fundraiser will be submitted for review. This typically takes about 24 hours. You'll be notified once it's approved and live. For personal fundraisers, you'll also need to link a bank account to receive the funds.

The Key to a Successful Fundraiser Isn't Just Posting It

Setting up the fundraiser is the easy part. Getting people to donate requires active promotion and good storytelling. Success isn’t about just posting and hoping, it’s about managing a mini-campaign.

Go for the "Dunk Tank" Effect

Ever seen a dunk tank at a fair? No one wants to be the first to throw the ball, but once someone hits the target, everyone else wants to try. The same psychology applies here. Your fundraiser has zero social proof when the amount raised is $0. People are hesitant to be the first donor.

Your first action item: Secure the first 2-3 donations immediately after launching. Don’t just post it on your timeline and walk away. Send direct, personal messages to a few close friends or family members who you know will support you. Say something like, "Hey, I just launched this fundraiser for our local food bank. It would mean the world to me if you could be one of the first to donate to help get the ball rolling. Even $10 makes a huge difference." Once your fundraiser has a bit of money behind it, strangers and acquaintances will feel much more comfortable contributing.

Become a Campaign Manager: Consistent Updates are Essential

Don't just launch it and leave it. Treat your news feed like a campaign headquarters. A successful fundraiser needs regular, engaging updates to stay top-of-mind and show progress.

• Celebrate Milestones: Post an update when you hit 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of your goal. Thank everyone and remind them of the impact they're making. Example: "WOW! We're already at 50% of our goal in just two days. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far! Your support means the world and will help provide 25 warm meals at the shelter."
• Thank Donors Publicly (If They Agree): Tag friends in a heartfelt thank-you post. This not only makes them feel appreciated but also shows their network that they support your cause.
• Connect Donations to Tangible Outcomes: Help people visualize the impact. Instead of just asking for money, translate the dollars into real-world results. For an animal shelter, an update could be: "Another $50 donated today! That’s enough to cover a full set of vaccinations for a rescued puppy. Thank you, Sarah and Tom!"
• Use Different Media: Don't just post text. Share photos, create short videos explaining why the cause matters, or even go live on Facebook. A quick livestream to answer questions or give a personal thank you can have a massive impact on engagement and donations.

Don't Be Afraid to Follow Up

People are busy and might miss your first post. It's okay to remind your network about the fundraiser. Post an update every day or two, especially during the final days of the campaign. The key is to make each post valuable - share new information, a new photo, or a new story. Don't just post the same text with the same link over and over.

If you're close to your goal, call it out to create urgency. "We are just $200 away from our goal with only 24 hours left! Who can help us cross the finish line?" This single post can often push you over the top.

Final Thoughts

Setting up a fundraiser on Facebook is simple, but making it a success relies on genuine storytelling and consistent communication. By preparing a clear message, getting those first few donations quickly, and keeping your supporters updated, you turn a simple post into a powerful community-driven campaign.

Keeping up with all those "milestone" and "thank you" posts can feel like a job in itself, especially when you're emotionally invested in the cause. When we built Postbase, we wanted a simple way to plan out all our content in one place. You can use our visual calendar to schedule your fundraiser updates ahead of time - setting up posts for your 25%, 50%, and final push announcements all at once, so you can focus on thanking donors personally instead of worrying about what to post next.