How to Build a Fundraiser That Attracts New Supporters

Every fundraiser starts with the people who already know you: family, members, the usual supporters. The campaigns that grow are the ones that reach beyond that circle.

Here's the short version: attracting new supporters isn't about luck — it's about design. Make your story shareable in one sentence, give people a reason to share, offer something outsiders actually want, meet people where they gather, and turn first-timers into regulars.

Make your story shareable

New supporters arrive through existing ones. The more shareable your story, the further it travels. That means one clear, simple line anyone can repeat ("coffee cards for camp — $10 goes to the kids"), real photos, and a page that's easy to understand at a glance. If someone can't explain your fundraiser in a sentence, they won't share it. The storytelling guide shows how to craft that line.

Give people a reason to share

People share what makes them look good or feel good. A fundraiser with a compelling story, a fun element, or a visible milestone gives supporters something worth posting about. "We just hit 50% — can we finish this together?" invites strangers to join a movement, not just a campaign.

Offer something outsiders want

Your inner circle supports you because of who you are. New people need a reason too — often a great offer. A genuinely good voucher deal, a limited product, or a fun event attracts people who don't know you yet, and converts them into supporters once they're in. Vouchers are the classic example — that's why they're such an effective fundraising product.

Meet people where they gather

New supporters come from new channels:

• Local Facebook groups and community pages — the group promotion guide shows the right way.
• Other groups' newsletters and noticeboards (with permission).
• Local media and community radio.
• Events, markets and match days where your community mingles.

Partner with businesses to extend reach

Every business partner brings their own customer base. When a café promotes your fundraiser to its regulars, you're reaching people who've never heard of you — with a trusted local voice doing the introduction. Our business partnership guide makes the pitch easy.

Turn first-timers into regulars

Attracting new supporters only pays off if they stay. Welcome them warmly: thank them personally, tell them what their support achieved, and invite them to follow your updates. The first contribution is the hardest; every one after is easier. The repeat supporter guide covers the retention half.

The compounding effect

New supporters bring their own networks, who bring theirs. A fundraiser designed to be shareable, offer real value, and welcome newcomers doesn't just reach more people once — it keeps growing. That's how a small group's campaign becomes a community-wide event.

Design for newcomers, and your next supporter might be someone you've never met.

Frequently asked questions

How do we reach people outside our usual circle?

Through the channels they already trust: local Facebook groups, other groups' newsletters, local media, and business partners who promote you to their customers.

What makes someone share a fundraiser?

A story they can repeat in one sentence and a reason to feel good about sharing it — a milestone, a fun element, or a cause with a face.

Should we offer incentives for new supporters?

The offer itself is the incentive — a genuinely good voucher deal attracts outsiders without bribery. Keep it simple.

How do we know if we're attracting new people?

Ask buyers how they heard about you, and watch for orders from outside your usual channels. The simple metrics guide shows what to track.

What's the biggest mistake when courting new supporters?

Treating them as a number. Welcome them personally and show the impact of their first gift — that's what makes them stay.