Let’s be honest, raising funds and increasing sales isn’t always a walk in the park. It can feel like shouting into the void sometimes, hoping someone, anyone, hears you. But good news: it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, with a little creativity, a splash of community spirit, and some solid strategy, you can turn your next fundraising effort into the kind of event people can’t stop talking about.

We’ve seen thousands of groups — from soccer teams to PTA moms to animal rescues — pull off awesome fundraisers that brought in big support while having a blast doing it. And we’ve rounded up the best tips, real-life examples, and ideas to help you learn how to get more sales and raise more funds, without losing your mind in the process.

Whether you’re a fundraising pro or a first-timer googling “help I need ideas,” you’re in the right place. Ready to jump in? Let’s make fundraising fun again.

How to Get More Sales and Raise More Funds (Without Driving Yourself Crazy)

Get to Know Your Crowd

First rule of fundraising: know who you’re talking to. Are you rallying local dog lovers? High school basketball fans? Office coworkers looking for an excuse to leave their desks at lunch? The better you understand your audience, the easier it is to plan something they’ll actually want to join.

Make It an Experience, Not Just an Ask

Nobody loves being sold to. But everyone loves a good time. That’s why fundraisers that feel like an experience, a game, a challenge, a night out, rake in the most support.

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.

Promote Like You Mean It

This is where many campaigns fizzle. You can plan the best fundraiser on Earth, but if no one knows about it? Crickets.

The trick is mixing up how and where you share the news. Social media posts are a must, but think beyond the usual. Try sending personalized texts, creating a fun video invite, or leaving flyers at your local coffee shop.

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

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.

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.

Make It Easy for People to Say Yes

The easier you make it for people to participate, the better. Host your event at a family-friendly restaurant. Make online RSVPs super simple. Offer multiple ways to donate or contribute if they can’t attend in person.

Hint: That’s exactly why GroupRaise exists. We help you set up fundraising events with restaurants in minutes. No contracts, no upfront costs just launch your campaign, share the link with your supporters, and get a percentage of the sales back. Easy peasy.

Creative Ideas to Turn Heads and Boost Engagement

Now for the fun part! Here’s where you can really let your personality shine and show your community why your cause matters (and why supporting it will make their day better too).

Show the Faces Behind the Cause

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.

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: 

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.

Now It’s Your Time to Shine!

There you have it, your guide to how to get more sales and raise more funds while keeping it fun, personal, and, dare we say, downright enjoyable.

Remember: the goal is to connect with your audience, show the heart behind your mission, and make supporting your cause the most feel-good thing someone does all week.

So whether you’re whipping up memes, going live from your kitchen, or creating a hilarious blooper reel with your crew, you’re not just raising funds, you’re building community.

Your supporters are out there — let’s go get ‘em.