Fundraising for Someone You Love? Here’s How to Do It Right

When someone you care about needs help, every dollar carries love.

When It’s Personal, Everything Feels Bigger

It is one thing to be supportive of a cause. It’s another thing to fundraise for someone you care about.

Maybe it’s a parent facing a medical crisis. A friend who’s fallen on hard times but won’t ask for help. Regardless of the reason, you feel it in your heart—this is somebody you truly care about. And you want to do something.

That’s where fundraisers for individuals become more than just campaigns. They become acts of devotion and hope.

But here’s the thing: when emotions run high, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You want to do it right. You want to be mindful of their dignity, to really make a difference, make real impact, and avoid the awkwardness that sometimes comes with asking for money.

This guide walks you through how to raise money for someone you care about.

Step 1: Start With the Story

All successful fundraisers begin somewhere: with a story that resonates.

When organizing fundraisers for individuals, don’t focus first on logistics or platforms. Prioritize why this person is important and why their cause must be funded at this moment first.

• What’s happening? Be clear, but respectful.
• How will the money help? Share specifics: “Covering two months of rent while she undergoes treatment.”
• Why them? Highlight their kindness, their past resilience, the things they’ve done for others.

You’re not just telling a story. You’re helping others feel what you feel and want to step in.

Step 2: Choose the Right Fundraising Platform

Not all tools are built for personal causes. Also, many platforms push tipping models or add confusing fees, which can create friction or reduce the amount your loved one actually receives.

When looking at platforms for individual fundraising ideas, consider:

• Flat fees over tipping (A fee can be as low as 5%, while tipping systems often prompt donors to give 15–30%, and three-quarters of that could have gone directly to your cause)
• Ease of setup (you don’t want a 15-step process)
• Real-time tracking and updates
  
• Tools for thank-you messages and donor communication
  

If you’re figuring out how to start a fundraiser, the right platform removes guesswork and lets you focus on what matters.

Step 3: Set a Clear (and Honest) Goal

One mistake many people make when organizing fundraisers for individuals is setting either an overly vague or unrealistic goal.

Clarity helps donors trust you. Realism helps them believe they can make a difference.

Instead of “We’re raising as much as we can,” try:

• “Our goal is $3,500 to cover her surgery co-pay and a month of meals during recovery.”
• “We’re aiming for $800 to buy him a used laptop so he can keep teaching remotely.”

When people know what their money will do, they’re far more likely to give.

Step 4: Share Often But Authentically

This isn’t about marketing. It’s about connection.
When you’re raising money for someone you love, regular updates don’t have to feel “salesy.” They can feel human.

Here’s how to share in a way that respects your relationship and honors the moment:

• Use short updates with gratitude: “We’re halfway there. Thank you so much!”
• Share photos or messages from your loved one (if they’re comfortable)
  
• Tell mini-stories along the way: “Today she was able to pick up her medication without worrying about the cost. That’s because of you.”

The most successful fundraising ideas for individuals create emotional touchpoints. The fundraiser feels like a group journey.

Step 5: Ask for Help Telling the Story

You don’t have to carry the campaign alone.
Reach out to mutual friends, colleagues, classmates—people who love this person too.

Ask them to:

• Share the campaign with their circles
• Add a personal note when they do
• Suggest fundraising ideas, like a mini event or virtual raffle

Momentum builds when more hearts are involved. And sometimes the most impactful donations come from people you wouldn’t have reached directly.

Step 6: Honor the Emotional Side

Fundraising for someone you love is deeply emotional. It brings up gratitude, vulnerability, pride, and sometimes fear. That’s all normal. But don’t let fear of “asking for money” hold you back.

When done with intention and honesty, fundraisers for individuals give people a chance to say, “I care too.” That’s a gift, not a burden.

Fundraising Ideas for Individuals (That Work When It’s Personal)

You don’t have to stop at a donation page. If you’re looking for individual fundraising ideas that add a little creativity and warmth, try:

• Virtual Potluck or Trivia Night: Friends donate to attend, and it becomes a shared moment of joy
• Birthday Fundraiser: Redirect your birthday wishes toward helping your loved one
• Digital Art, Poems, or Thank-You Notes: Offer small tokens of gratitude in exchange for support
• Peer-to-Peer Chain: Ask three friends to donate and share, and let it grow

What You’re Really Giving

The money matters. It helps pay bills, cover costs, and ease stress. But what you’re really offering is care. You’re showing someone that they’re not alone. You’re reminding them that people will show up. And you’re giving others the opportunity to take part in something important and impactful.

Connection is the heart of every powerful fundraiser.

You Don’t Need to Be an Expert to Start a Fundraiser Campaign

If you’re wondering how to raise money for someone, and worried about getting it “right,” here’s your answer:

Start with love. Speak from the heart. Use the tools available. And let others help you.

You don’t need credentials, a polished video, or a massive network. You just need to care enough to begin.

Launch your campaign with CausePilot, a platform built for people with purpose.
A powerful tool to support the people who matter most.