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If you’ve decided to start crowdfunding, you might be wondering how to set up a donation page that inspires others to give. Whatever your cause, it’s important to set up a donation page that tells your unique story. With this guide, you’ll learn how to:
- Create an interesting fundraiser title
- Write a meaningful fundraiser story
- Choose the best types of photos and videos for your fundraiser
- Pick the right fundraising goal
- Share your fundraiser to get more donations
- Thank your supporters
- Post updates that can help you meet your goal
What crowdfunding platform is best for your donation page?
With the rising popularity of crowdfunding, there are dozens of fundraising websites to choose from. So how do you know which platform is right for you and your cause?
- Top crowdfunding sites will not only offer a simple setup process, but they’ll also offer other bells and whistles.
- Also look for a user-friendly mobile app, dedicated customer support, and a blog packed with fundraising tips.
If you’re still unsure about how to choose a platform for your personal donation website, take a look at our page to find out what else sets us apart from the rest.
Crowdfunding for nonprofits
In addition to fundraising for yourself, a loved one, or a friend, you can also set up a donation page for charities using GoFundMe. With charity fundraising on GoFundMe, you can easily raise money for a charity on their behalf. If you’re a nonprofit organization looking to raise funds for your cause, GoFundMe’s fundraising tools can help you build a community of supporters and increase donor retention.
Check out our blog on how to raise money for charity and our charity fundraising tips to help you get started.
How to set up a page in 8 easy steps
1. Set the stage with an interesting fundraiser title
The first step in knowing how to set up a GoFundMe for someone else, for yourself, or for a charity is choosing a title that clearly explains why you’re fundraising.
- Your fundraiser title should capture the attention of potential supporters on social media channels, in emails, and in text messages.
- A memorable title that immediately conveys what you’re raising funds for will encourage people to click your link and read your story.
- For more ideas about how to choose the best title for your page, see our blog post on fundraiser title tips.
2. Write a story that inspires people to give
It’s important to write a fundraiser story that is both detailed and will encourage people to support your cause. It’s natural to want to get your donation page up and running as quickly as possible. But if you’re able, remember to take some time to write a meaningful description.
Your fundraiser description length should be no fewer than 400 words, and it should cover the who, what, when, why, and how of your situation. Whether you’re wondering how to set up a donation page for an individual or for yourself, here are the most important questions your story should answer:
- Who is benefiting from your fundraiser? Describe the recipient as honestly and completely as you can. Explain why this person, family, or organization is so deserving of financial help. If the fundraiser is for you, don’t be afraid to open up and explain why support from others would make a big difference in your life.
- What is the main obstacle? Tell potential donors what problems you or the recipient are facing.
- When do you need the funds? It’s important to tell your supporters when the funds are needed by so they understand the urgency.
- Why do you or the recipient need help? Tell people why their contributions are critical. Take a cue from public radio stations, which do a great job of answering the “why” in their fundraising drives.
- How can donors help? List specific expenses that you or the recipient need help paying. These details help people understand exactly what impact their donations will have.
3. Add photos and videos to brighten your donation page
Visual content can help tell your story in a powerful way. Adding images and videos will spruce up your donation page and make people want to find out more about your cause.
- You’ll want to ensure your main photo is high quality, since pixelated images may cause your fundraiser to look suspicious.
- Be sure to choose photos and videos that really convey your personality or your beneficiary’s personality.
4. Choose a fundraising goal that makes sense
When deciding what your fundraising goal should be, it’s best to start small and increase it as necessary. Why is starting small a better strategy? Reasonable fundraising goals may encourage people to give, while large goals might make people feel like their donation won’t count for much.
- Remember that you can increase your fundraising goal at any time.
- You can also keep all of the donations you receive, even if you don’t meet your fundraising goal.
5. Share with your close friends and family first
The first few days of a fundraiser can greatly influence its success in the long run. Before you widely promote your fundraiser, it’s best to share it with a few close friends and ask for their feedback. Since people are more likely to give if other people have already donated, a rollout strategy will ensure you have a few solid donations before you share your fundraiser with everyone over social media.
- Start your fundraiser by sending personal fundraising letters to your closest friends and family members. This will help bring in a few initial donations even before you share your fundraiser link on social media.
- For more ideas about how to ask for donations, check out these other resources:
- How to Ask for Donations: An 8-Step Guide
- 4 Fundraising Email Templates to Help You Reach Your Goal
6. Fine-tune your sharing plan
Sharing is one of the most important aspects of running a fundraiser. Sharing your donation page far and wide helps raise awareness for your cause and encourages your network of friends and family to support you.
- Using social media to promote your fundraiser is one of the easiest and most effective methods to get the word out about your needs. You can use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Nextdoor, and even WhatsApp to spread awareness in a low-pressure way.
- Another way to encourage people to share your cause is to create a fundraiser hashtag. A hashtag makes it easy for people to find your social media posts and interact with them.
Of course, you can also share your fundraiser via email, text message, and phone calls. For more fundraiser sharing tips, take a look at these blog posts:
7. Show gratitude to your supporters
When you’re busy setting up and running a donation page, it’s sometimes easy to forget to thank your donors. But showing gratitude is important. After all, without the generosity of donors, your fundraiser wouldn’t be possible.
- Thanking your donors is also key to building a passionate community that remains engaged and dedicated to your cause. Sometimes it can even inspire repeat donations and help with donor retention.
- Write a donation thank you letter to each donor, or try sending handwritten notes or individual emails if you have time. Human kindness is a beautiful thing, especially when it’s repaid with more human kindness. Try one of these several ways to say thank you to donors.
8. Don’t forget to post fundraiser updates
Updates are a simple way to keep your donors in the loop while also letting them know you may still need their continued support. And if your fundraiser stalls, updates can help it gain momentum again.
- An update can be as simple as a photograph with a line of text, or a few paragraphs explaining any recent developments with your fundraiser or financial goals.
- You can also use updates to shower special donors with recognition and thanks. Once you’ve mastered how to write a fundraising update, you can aim to post one about once a week.
