So, you’ve got an amazing fundraising campaign ready to launch—but now comes the big question: How do you make sure people actually see it and feel so inspired, entertained, or curious that they can’t resist sharing it with their friends–or clicking that donation button? The answer? Content. Specifically, your own original content. And the best part is it’s actually easier than you think, anyone can do this!

Video content is the real MVP of any promotion these days. But there are other fun and creative ways to get the word out, too. Let’s walk through some top ideas to promote your campaign and keep your supporters engaged and excited!

 

1. Start with a Campaign Kickoff Video 🎬

The best way to set the tone for your campaign is to create a kickoff video. People want to see the passion behind your cause, and a video is the perfect way to convey that emotion. Share the why behind your fundraising efforts, explain how it all works, and encourage people to get involved.

• Introduce your cause, yourself and anyone else connected to the fundraiser.
• Use a hook: Get your audience’s attention in the first few seconds with a fun visual, fact, a bold statement, or even a question.
• Keep it short and sweet. Aim for 60–90 seconds—enough time to make an impact without losing interest.

Check out this real world example to see how Trey from the Laurel Church of Christ Youth Ministry recently approached promoting their fundraiser: 

Another great example comes from the Deaf Community Services of San Diego with their Digital Dozens kickoff video: 

If you’re feeling camera-shy, don’t worry. It doesn’t have to be perfect! In fact, people tend to love seeing the raw, authentic side of things. You can even film it on your phone.

 

2. Add Humor for a Boost 

Everyone loves a good laugh, and humor is one of the quickest ways to connect with your audience. Whether it’s a funny behind-the-scenes moment, a quirky intro, or an outtake from your video shoot, adding humor makes your content more relatable and shareable.

• You can use memes to relate to trending topics.
• Make a blooper reel of your video attempts—who doesn’t love a good laugh?
• Create a funny mascot or character that represents your campaign.

If your content feels too stiff or formal, it might not resonate as much as something that’s a little more light-hearted. Jarod from Palm Valley Animal Society took this approach when promoting their campaign.

 

3. Put Your Face (or Product) Out There 

When you’re scrolling through social media, what makes you stop and pay attention? Chances are, it’s faces—especially friendly, familiar ones. If you’re promoting a product, you’ll want to showcase that too. It’s all about making your content visually interesting!

• Show your face: People trust people. If they can see the person behind the campaign, they’re more likely to engage.
• Feature the product: If your fundraiser involves selling items, like doughnuts, movie tickets, or experiences, include them in your content.

The Be Like Josh Foundation did a fantastic job at both when promoting their Krispy Kreme fundraiser.

So did Sons of Consolation Ministries with their creative video (they even incorporate some cool movie magic!) 

 

4. Share Your Story (and Make It Personal)

Behind many successful fundraisers is a compelling story. What inspired you to start this campaign? What impact will the donations or purchases have? Sharing the human side of your fundraiser is a powerful way to drive engagement.

• Communicate a personal story about why this campaign matters to you.
• Interview people or organizations that will benefit from your fundraising efforts.
• Share progress updates throughout the campaign to keep people connected to the journey.

The Salvation Army of Greater Houston embraced the power of story when celebrating a very important day for their organization, National Donut Day.

 

5. Go Live and Build Real-Time Engagement 

Live videos on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok are a fantastic way to interact with your audience in real time. You can answer questions, give shoutouts, or even make announcements. The spontaneity of live content often encourages more engagement and makes viewers feel like they’re part of something special.

• Host a live Q&A about your campaign.
• Give a real-time demonstration of how your fundraiser works.
• Share an update on how close you are to reaching your goal.

Kitty Mafia Rescue took this approach by jumping on social media during the Digital Dozens Father’s Day Challenge to inspire and get the word out to their community: 

 

6. Leverage Emotional Appeal 

Sometimes all it takes is tugging at the heartstrings to get people to take action. Sharing emotional stories or visuals that showcase the impact of your fundraising efforts can inspire people to donate or spread the word.

• Share before-and-after stories of how donations will make a difference.
• Use emotional visuals like close-up photos or touching moments in your videos.
• Create a thank-you video for donors that highlights the impact of their contribution.

Animals are a surefire way to achieve this. Both Newborn Kitten Rescue and Friends of Norfolk Animal Care Center leveraged emotional appeal in their fundraiser promotion.

 

7. Use Music to Set the Mood

Music is an incredibly powerful tool that can instantly shift the mood of your video. Whether it’s a viral hit or a more emotional track, choosing the right background music can elevate your campaign.

• Choose music that matches the tone of your video–are you trying to get people excited, or get them in their feels?
• If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, consider writing your own jingle for the campaign!

For their respective Regal fundraising campaigns, CRPS Warriors Foundation and Marco Forster MS PTSA used music to tie together their video promotion:

 

8. Collaborate with Supporters or Influencers

Okay hear us out! You don’t need a huge following to make an impact, but partnering with someone who does can give your campaign a serious boost. Whether it’s a passionate supporter, a popular community figure, or local influencer, collaborations can help spread the word faster.

• Feature user-generated content—encourage your supporters to make their own short videos promoting the campaign.
• Partner with a local business or community leader to increase visibility.
• Ask an influencer to create or share a video supporting your cause.

 

9. Create an Instagram or TikTok Challenge

Who can resist a fun challenge? By creating a social media challenge (think the Ice Bucket Challenge), you can get people excited about participating in your fundraiser while also encouraging them to share it with their followers.

• Use a catchy hashtag to promote your challenge.
• Give clear instructions on how to participate (e.g., “Post a video of yourself doing X and tag us”).
• Consider offering a prize or shoutout for the most creative entries.

 

10. Make it Easy to Share

All the creative content in the world won’t help if it’s not easy for people to share. Make sure your videos and promotional posts are super simple to share across platforms.

• Add a clear call-to-action at the end of your video (e.g., “Donate and share this video to help us reach our goal!”).
• Post content on multiple platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube) to reach a wider audience.
• Consider including social share buttons on your organization’s website or landing page.

 

FAQs

1. How long should my campaign kickoff video be?
   Keep it between 60–90 seconds. Short, punchy, and impactful!
2. Do I need professional equipment to create content?
   Nope! Your smartphone and a dash of creativity will do the trick.
3. What if I’m camera-shy?
   Don’t stress! You can focus on filming the product or cause instead, or even create a voice-over.
4. What should the video cover?

• • Name of your cause
  • Why you’re fundraising
  • Image of the product you’re selling
  • Donation amount (supporters should know their impact!)
  • How to participate and support
  • Link to your campaign!

 

Now It’s Your Time to Shine!

Promoting a fundraising campaign doesn’t have to be intimidating. With these creative ideas—especially the power of a well-crafted campaign kickoff video—you’ll be well on your way to boosting engagement, increasing donations, and making your cause stand out. Whether you’re using humor, social media lives, or emotional storytelling, the key is to get out there and show the world why your campaign matters.

So, grab your phone, hit record, and get ready to kick off a successful fundraiser!