How to Fundraise a Lot of Money Fast for Your Charity Event
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TIP To increase your chances of success, use peer-to-peer fundraising—ask your team members to reach out to their personal networks instead of just asking friends directly.
Want to raise a lot of money fast for your charity event? It’s not magic. It’s strategy. And if you’re running a community fundraiser, school drive, or nonprofit campaign, the clock is ticking. You don’t have months to build momentum-you need results in days or weeks. The good news? You can do it. Thousands of groups in New Zealand and around the world have raised tens of thousands in under 30 days. Here’s how.
Start with a clear goal and a deadline
People don’t give to vague ideas. They give to specific outcomes. Instead of saying, "We need money for our food bank," say, "We need $25,000 in 14 days to feed 1,200 families this month." That’s concrete. That’s urgent. That’s memorable. Write it down. Put it on every flyer, every social post, every email. Make the number impossible to ignore.
Pair that with a hard deadline. Not "sometime this month." Not "as soon as possible." 14 days. That creates urgency. It triggers action. Studies show campaigns with deadlines raise 37% more than open-ended ones. Why? Because people need a reason to act now, not later.
Use peer-to-peer fundraising-don’t do it alone
One person can’t reach 1,000 donors. But 20 people can. That’s the power of peer-to-peer fundraising. Recruit supporters-friends, volunteers, local business owners-and turn them into mini-fundraisers. Give each of them a personal fundraising page on a platform like Givealittle is a New Zealand-based crowdfunding platform designed for community causes, with low fees and mobile-friendly tools. or JustGiving is a global fundraising platform trusted by charities for its ease of use and donor tracking features..
Don’t just send them a link. Train them. Show them how to tell their story. Give them sample messages. Help them pick a photo that hits hard-a child eating, a shelter dog, a volunteer hauling groceries. Tell them: "Your network trusts you more than we do. You’re the voice they’ll listen to."
Set a team goal. Offer a small reward for the top fundraiser-lunch with the CEO, a gift basket, a shoutout on social media. People compete. People love to win.
Host one high-impact event-not five small ones
Don’t spread yourself thin. Skip the bake sale, the car wash, and the raffle. Pick one big, memorable event. Something that draws attention. Something that’s easy to share.
Think:
- A silent auction with local business donations (art, gift cards, weekend getaways)
- A 5K run with entry fees and sponsorship tiers
- A live-streamed talent show with voting donations
- A "pay to play" trivia night at a pub with teams buying tables
Each of these can bring in $5,000-$20,000 in one night. Why? Because they combine ticket sales, sponsorships, and emotional storytelling. And they’re easy to promote on social media. Record the event. Post clips. Tag donors. Make it feel like a party people don’t want to miss.
Tap into local businesses-don’t just ask for cash
Businesses don’t just want to give. They want to be seen. And they want to connect with their community.
Approach 20 local shops, cafes, or service providers. Ask them to:
- Sponsor your event with $500 or a prize
- Donate 10% of sales for a day to your cause
- Let you set up a donation jar at their counter
- Post about you on their Instagram or newsletter
Don’t ask for money first. Ask for partnership. Say: "We’re raising funds for X. We can put your logo on our event banner, mention you in every post, and give you a thank-you card to display. We’ll even tag you in our live stream."
In Auckland, a small community garden raised $18,000 in 10 days by getting 12 local businesses to match donations dollar-for-dollar. That’s instant doubling. That’s momentum.
Use social media like a weapon-not a bulletin board
You’re not posting for likes. You’re posting for conversions. Every post should have one goal: make someone click, donate, or share.
Here’s what works:
- Day 1: A video of someone who benefits from your cause. Keep it under 60 seconds. No music. Just real talk.
- Day 3: A live countdown. "We’re 40% there. Need $6,000 in 72 hours."
- Day 5: A donor spotlight. "Meet Maria. She donated $100 because her son got meals from us last winter."
- Day 7: A challenge. "If we hit $15,000 by Friday, the mayor will shave his beard."
Use Instagram Stories, Facebook Reels, TikTok. Post at 7 AM and 7 PM. That’s when people scroll and donate. Use hashtags like #AucklandGives, #FundraiseFast, #Support[YourCause]. Don’t overthink it. Just post. Then post again.
Ask directly-every time
Most people want to help. They just don’t know how. You have to tell them. Don’t say, "We’d appreciate any support." Say, "Donate $25 and feed a family for a week." Or, "Text GIVE to 12345 to donate $10."
Put the link in your email signature. Put it on your car window. Put it on your church bulletin. Put it on your child’s school lunchbox. Make it impossible to miss.
And never apologize for asking. You’re not begging. You’re offering a chance to make a difference. That’s powerful.
Follow up fast-and thank everyone
Don’t wait. Send a thank-you email within 24 hours of every donation. Even $5. Even $1. Say: "Because of you, 3 families got groceries today." Add a photo. Make it personal.
Then, on day 10, send a progress update: "We’re at $22,000. We need $3,000 more. Here’s what happens if we hit it." People who gave early are your best advocates. They’ll give again if you remind them they made a difference.
And if you hit your goal? Celebrate publicly. Post a video of the team holding the check. Tag every donor. Say their name. Make them feel like heroes.
What doesn’t work
Don’t waste time on:
- Long, wordy emails
- Generic donation pages with no story
- Asking strangers on Facebook without context
- Waiting for grants or corporate sponsorships-those take months
If you’re trying to raise money fast, speed beats perfection. A messy video with a real story beats a polished ad with no emotion.
Real example: $47,000 in 11 days
Last year, a small group in Tauranga needed $30,000 to rebuild a community kitchen after a fire. They didn’t have a big team. No PR team. Just 8 volunteers.
Here’s what they did:
- Set a goal: $30,000 in 14 days
- Recruited 15 friends to run personal pages on Givealittle
- Got 8 local businesses to match donations up to $5,000 total
- Hosted a live-streamed BBQ night with local musicians
- Posted a new video every day showing progress
- Texted every donor personally
They raised $47,000. Why? Because they didn’t wait. They acted. Every day.
You can do the same.
Can I raise $10,000 in a week?
Yes, if you have a clear goal, a strong story, and at least 10 people willing to share your campaign. One person can raise $1,000 in a week by asking 20 friends for $50 each. Multiply that by 10 people, and you’re at $10,000. It’s not about how many people you know-it’s about how clearly you ask.
What’s the fastest platform to use for fundraising?
In New Zealand, Givealittle is a New Zealand-based crowdfunding platform designed for community causes, with low fees and mobile-friendly tools. is the fastest. It’s local, trusted, and has no payment processing delays. Donations show up in your bank account within 2-3 business days. International platforms like GoFundMe work too, but they take longer to process and charge higher fees.
Do I need a website to fundraise fast?
No. You need one link. That’s it. Use a simple Givealittle or JustGiving page. People don’t care if your site looks fancy. They care if they understand what you’re doing and why it matters. A clear video, a bold headline, and a simple donate button will outperform a 10-page website every time.
What if I don’t have a big network?
Start small. Ask three people. If they donate, ask them to share with one friend. Then ask those friends. Momentum builds. You don’t need 1,000 contacts. You need 10 people who care enough to spread the word. Focus on quality, not quantity. One passionate person can raise more than ten indifferent ones.
How do I get media coverage for my event?
Send a short, clear email to your local newspaper, radio station, or community blog. Include: your goal, deadline, why it matters, and a photo of the people you’re helping. Don’t write a novel. Just say: "We’re raising $X in Y days to help Z. We’re hosting an event on [date]. Would you consider covering it?" Many small outlets will say yes if the story feels real and urgent.
