Organizations looking to raise money online have more options than ever. Three formats worth considering are Fill My Fundraisers, calendar fundraisers, and traditional crowdfunding. Each follows a different structure, so the right choice depends on how you want supporters to participate.
Fill My Fundraisers
Fill My Fundraisers like Fill My Football turn a visual goal into the fundraiser itself. Participants ask supporters to help “fill” spaces associated with their activity or program, creating an interactive alternative to a standard donation page.
This format can work especially well for sports teams and other participant-based organizations because donors can see progress as the fundraiser fills. The visual component also gives participants something specific to share instead of simply asking for a general donation.
Calendar Fundraisers
A calendar fundraiser typically contains dates numbered 1 through 31. Supporters choose an available date and donate the corresponding amount, such as $10 for the 10th or $25 for the 25th.
A standard 31-day calendar contains $496 in available date values. Digital versions can also allow custom donations, giving supporters the option to contribute more or donate after calendar dates have been selected.
Calendar fundraisers are particularly useful when organizations want an easy-to-understand campaign with individual participant goals. Traditional versions can be run with printed calendars, while digital versions automate much of the donation collection and tracking.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is the most open-ended of the three. Organizations create a fundraising page, explain what the money will support, set a goal, and ask supporters to donate any amount.
That flexibility makes crowdfunding useful for large purchases, travel expenses, emergencies, facility improvements, and other campaigns where fixed donation amounts are unnecessary.
Which Fundraiser Is Best?
There is no single best format. Fill My Fundraisers emphasize visual participation, calendar fundraisers give donors structured donation choices, and crowdfunding provides maximum flexibility.
Organizations should choose the format that best matches their audience, fundraising goal, and the way participants are most likely to engage supporters.