10 Marketing Tips for Your Community Fundraising Event

You’ve worked hard planning your community fundraising event, and you’re probably hoping for a crowd, right? But here’s the catch: People won’t show up if they don’t know about it. 

That's where smart marketing strategies for fundraising events come into play. Now, you don't need fancy ads or a big budget to fill those seats. Instead, we'll share some simple tips that actually work and make your event successful. 

Ready to discover fresh ways to grab attention and ensure that your community is excited to show its support? Let's get started!

1. Know Who You’re Talking To

Before picking flyers, emails, or social media posts, take a step back. Think about who you're trying to reach. Are you talking to parents in your local school district? Retired people in your town? Young adults who care about your cause?

Every good fundraising marketing strategy starts with knowing your audience. You don’t want to use the same message for everyone. 

What works for parents may not work for college students. So, take time to figure out their age, interests, habits, and how they prefer to hear from you.

The better you understand your community, the easier it is to come up with fundraising marketing ideas that actually connect. 

2. Create a Message That’s Easy to Share

If your message is too long or confusing, people won’t pass it along. Keep it short. Keep it clear. And make sure it tells people what your event is, why it matters, and how they can help.

Think about how someone would explain your event to a friend in one or two sentences. That’s the kind of message you want. Add a photo or a short video to make it more personal. Posts that include relevant images get 94% more views than those without any.

People are more likely to share something that feels simple and real.

One smart way to boost your marketing strategies for fundraising events is by turning your message into easy social media captions, email blurbs, or flyer headlines that your supporters can copy, paste, or “share.”

Here’s something to keep in mind: events shared by others are more likely to grow. In fact, 88% of people say they trust recommendations from friends and family over any kind of paid ad. 

3. Use Social Media Without Overdoing It

Social media is helpful, but you don’t need to post all day, every day. What matters more is posting the right kind of content at the right time. Share updates that show your event coming together, photos from past fundraisers, or quick reminders about how to join or give.

According to experts, posting once or twice a day works well. Some experts even say three to five posts per week is enough.

Using targeted ads is another great way to reach the right people. You can set your audience based on location, age, or interests. It helps you get your message in front of the folks most likely to support your event.

Here’s something worth knowing: 55% of people who follow nonprofits on social media take action. Out of those, 59% end up making a donation. And 32% of donors say social media is what inspired them to give.

4. Go Door-to-Door (Yes, It Still Works)

It might sound old-school, but going door-to-door still works—especially in small towns and tight-knit neighborhoods. People are more likely to listen when someone local shows up at their doorstep with a friendly face and a clear reason for the visit.

You don’t need a big team. A few volunteers or board members can cover a lot of ground. 

Just have a flyer or handout ready with the event details, why it matters, and how they can take part. If you’re collecting donations or asking for sign-ups, bring a form or a phone with an online link ready to go.

This can also be a good chance to ask locals if they want to help out—maybe by volunteering, donating supplies, or spreading the word. In small communities, word of mouth still travels fast.

Adding this kind of personal outreach to your fundraising marketing strategy helps balance online and offline efforts. It shows that your team is active, involved, and ready to meet people where they are. 

5. Ask Local Influencers and Groups to Share

You don’t need a celebrity to spread the word. A local teacher, coach, or small business owner can help get more eyes on your event. People already know and trust them, so their support carries weight.

Reach out to people in your area who have a strong social media following or are active in local groups. Ask if they’d be willing to post about your fundraiser, share your event flyer, or just tell their network. Many are happy to help a cause that’s close to home.

You can also connect with neighborhood groups, school clubs, or community pages. Their members are often looking for ways to support local events.

Did you know that 69% of people trust influencers, friends, and family more than messages? So, adding this to your marketing strategies for fundraising events can really make a difference.

6. Use Flyers Where People Hang Out

Most people don’t forget a flyer. In fact, 89% of people remember getting one. That’s why flyers are still useful, even with all the online tools out there.

The trick is knowing where to put them. Think about where your community spends time. Coffee shops, grocery stores, libraries, gyms, and community centers are all good spots. Ask the staff if you can hang one near the front door or on a bulletin board.

Make sure your flyer is easy to read. Use clear fonts, a short message, and a way for people to take action, like a phone number, website, or QR code. A photo or simple design can also help it stand out.

Adding flyers to your marketing strategies for fundraising events gives you another way to reach people who might not be online often. It's a small step that can bring in more eyes and more support for your event.

7. Send Emails and Texts to Your Contact List

Emails and texts still work—and they work well. Personalized emails get opened 82% more than ones that aren’t. And text messages? They get a 98% open rate. That’s a lot of eyes on your message.

Start by pulling together your contact list. Include past donors, volunteers, and anyone who’s shown interest in your events. Use their first name when you can, and keep your message short and clear. 

Let them know what the event is, why it matters, and how they can help.

For emails, include a link to your event page. For texts, a short link or quick reminder can do the job. This kind of outreach is a key part of any fundraising marketing strategy. 

It’s simple, direct, and keeps your supporters close without needing a big budget.

8. Reach Out to Local News or Radio

Local news stations, radio shows, and community papers are always looking for local stories to share. Your event could be one of them. All you have to do is reach out.

Start by writing a short press release or email with the basic info—what the event is, when and where it's happening, who it helps, and how people can join. If you have a strong mission behind the fundraiser, include that too. Keep it clear and to the point.

Call or email local reporters or radio hosts a week or two before the event. Some may even want to do a short interview or include it in a weekend roundup.

It’s a simple way to spread the word, especially in small towns. Adding local media to your marketing strategies for fundraising events helps you reach people who may not be on social media but still care about what’s going on in the community.

9. Set Up a Free Online Event Page With BetterWorld

One of the easiest marketing strategies for fundraising events is setting up a free event page—and BetterWorld makes it simple. Whether your event is in-person or online, everything you need is in one place.

For in-person events, you can sell tickets, register guests, and check them in without stress. It keeps things organized and smooth from start to finish.

Hosting a virtual event instead? Our free virtual event tools help you run the whole thing online, no matter where your supporters are. It’s a simple way to connect with people near and far.

Over 100,000 nonprofits have used BetterWorld’s fundraising tools, and more than 97% say they would use them again.

It is easy to use and gets your event live in minutes. And the best part is that you keep everything you raise. No platform fee, no hidden charges.

Plus, you’ll get access to our Modern Fundraising Tools, all in one place. 

Sign up today to get access to all of it and much more!

10. Let Word of Mouth Do Its Thing

Word of mouth marketing is still a powerful tool for promoting your fundraiser. When someone hears about your fundraiser from a friend, neighbor, or coworker, they’re likelier to check it out.

Encourage your team, volunteers, and past supporters to share the event with their networks–chatting about it at work, mentioning it at church, or bringing it up during a coffee break.

Providing easy-to-share materials like flyers or social media posts can make it easier to share. The easier it is, the more likely they are to do it.

Adding word of mouth to your fundraising marketing strategy doesn’t cost anything, but it can help attract more folks than you expect!

FAQs

1. Can I still go door to door to promote a fundraiser?

Yes, but be respectful and check local laws first because some areas might not allow door-to-door soliciting.

2. What’s the cheapest way to market a fundraising event?

Social media is the cheapest way to market your fundraising event because you can share it with your community without paying anything.

3. Do I need a website for my event?

Not really. BetterWorld can take care of everything from collecting donations to hosting your event smoothly.

4. How far ahead should I start promoting?

Start promoting your event at least one month ahead to give your community enough notice to join.

5. Should I make printed flyers even if I'm promoting online?

Yes, flyers can still help because they reach people who don’t spend much time online.

6. How often should I send emails and texts about my fundraising event?

Send emails once a week and texts only as reminders close to the event so people don’t feel bothered.