Boost Your Fundraiser’s Success with Social Media

People are spending more and more time online these days, checking their Facebook, Instagram, etc. to stay updated on what’s going on in the world. Since social media plays such a big role in our day-to-day lives, it should also play a big role in your fundraising marketing plan. 

Social media gives your fundraiser the chance to reach more people, more quickly, and with more impact than ever before. Whether it’s a parent sharing their child’s goal, a teacher reminding the community why funds are needed, or a supporter showing off their favorite product (Butter Braid® Pastries), these posts have the potential to inspire and motivate.

With just a few simple strategies, your group can turn likes, shares, and comments into real fundraising results. In this post, we’ll share practical tips to help you make the most of social media and give your fundraiser the boost it needs to succeed.

Why Social Media Matters for Fundraisers

Social media isn’t just a place to share photos or keep up with friends; it’s one of the most effective tools you can use to spread the word about your fundraiser and build excitement. When your group, their families, and supporters post about your event, they’re doing more than just sharing a link. They’re helping you reach people who might never have heard about your group otherwise.

Here are a few key reasons why social media makes such a big difference to fundraisers:

• Wider reach: A single post from a parent, teacher, or supporter has the power to reach dozens, or even hundreds, of potential buyers.
• Stronger connections: When someone sees a familiar face supporting a fundraiser, they’re more likely to get involved. Personal stories and enthusiasm help create trust and motivation.
• Real-time updates: Social platforms make it easy to keep your community in the loop with reminders, progress updates, and deadline alerts.
• Convenience for supporters: Many people already shop and donate online, so sharing the link to your group’s online store or donation platform on social media makes it easy for them to participate right away.

In short, social media brings your fundraiser to where people already are. It’s a way to amplify your message, rally your community, and ultimately, reach your fundraising goals faster.

7 Tips for Using Social Media to Boost Your Fundraising Results

1. Choose The Right Platforms

Not all social media platforms are created equal, and the best one for your fundraiser depends on where your supporters are most active. Instead of trying to be everywhere at once, focus your efforts on the platforms that will connect you with the right audience.

Here are a few tips to help guide your group:

• Facebook: Great for families, parents, and community groups. Facebook makes it easy to share fundraiser links, post photos of the products, and create events for deadlines or product pick-up days.
• Instagram: Perfect for eye-catching visuals! Sharing photos and short videos of the products (or your group working hard toward their goal) can really inspire supporters to get involved.
• TikTok: If your group has older students, TikTok can be a fun way to spread the word. Creative, short, and engaging videos can reach a large audience quickly. It’s also a great way to get your group motivated and involved in creating your content strategy.
• Email & messaging apps: While not “social media” in the traditional sense, don’t forget tools like email, WhatsApp, or Messenger groups. These direct communication channels are highly effective for reminders and updates.

The key is to go where your supporters already spend their time. For most groups, starting with one or two platforms is more effective than trying to manage them all. By focusing your efforts, you’ll create more engaging content and make it easier for parents and sellers to share the fundraiser with their own networks.

2. Share The Right Content

When it comes to promoting your fundraiser on social media, what you share is just as important as where you share it. The goal is to create posts that are engaging, easy to understand, and motivating enough to encourage people to support your group.

Here are some ideas for content that works especially well:

• Product spotlights: Share photos and short descriptions of the items you’re selling. Highlight flavors, features, or best-sellers so supporters know exactly what you’re offering.
• Group goals & progress updates: Let supporters know what you’re raising money for and celebrate milestones along the way. Posts like “We’re halfway to our goal!” can inspire more people to join in.
• Behind-the-scenes moments: Show your group members working hard, packaging orders, or preparing for your event. These authentic posts connect emotionally with your audience.
• Reminders & deadlines: Don’t be afraid to post gentle reminders as the fundraiser’s end date approaches. Clear deadlines help supporters take action before it’s too late.
• Thank-you shoutouts: Share gratitude! Recognizing your supporters makes them feel appreciated and can encourage even more participation.

3. Use Effective Hashtags

By including relevant hashtags in your posts, you make your content discoverable to people who aren’t already following your accounts. This can help attract new supporters, spread awareness, and ultimately boost sales.

Start by creating a custom hashtag specifically for your fundraiser. Keep it short, memorable, and easy to spell, so it’s simple for supporters to use. For example, something like #SpringChoirFundraiser or #GoPanthers2026 creates a unique identity for your event and allows all related posts to be found in one place.

In addition to your custom hashtag, pair it with popular, broad hashtags that relate to fundraising, school spirit, or community support. Hashtags such as #SupportLocal, #FundraisingForACause, or #CommunityStrong can help connect your posts to larger conversations and increase their reach.

4. Use Fun and Engaging Features

Social media platforms are packed with tools and features designed to make posts interactive and engaging. From polls and quizzes to stories and reels, these features can help you capture your audience’s attention and make your fundraiser stand out. Using these interactive elements encourages your followers to actively participate rather than just scroll past your post.

For example, Instagram and Facebook Stories offer polls, question boxes, and countdown stickers that can generate excitement around your fundraiser. You could run a poll asking, “Which Butter Braid® Pastry flavor from our fundraiser is your favorite?” Or you can use a countdown sticker to build anticipation for order deadlines or product pick-up day. These small interactions keep your audience engaged and invested in the success of your campaign.

Video content is another highly engaging feature. Short videos showing your group preparing for the fundraiser, unpacking products, or sharing why the fundraiser matters can create an emotional connection with supporters. Videos are naturally more shareable than static posts, giving your fundraiser a chance to reach people beyond your immediate network.

5. Make it Easy for Supporters to Order

One of the biggest advantages of social media is its ability to connect your supporters directly to your fundraiser in just a few clicks; however, its effectiveness depends on how easily supporters can act on your posts. Making it simple for people to place orders is key, and that’s where an online giving option, like a fundraising store, becomes essential. When supporters can click a link in your social media post and complete their purchase in just a few steps, it removes barriers and encourages immediate action.

Here’s a few tips on how to promote your online store:

• Include instructions: The online platform your group is using may be new to your supporters. Give them easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions on how to navigate the store and place an order.
• Use platforms that allow clickable links: Instagram Stories, Facebook posts, and TikTok bio links remove barriers and encourage immediate action. If supporters don’t have to search for how to buy, they’re more likely to follow through with their purchase.
• Highlight special features: Make the process even smoother by letting supporters know what payment options are available and how to make sure their donation is credited to a specific seller. The easier and more intuitive the ordering experience is, the more likely your supporters are to engage which can directly boost your fundraiser’s overall success.

6. Encourage Sellers & Parents to Share Your Posts

One of the easiest ways to extend the reach of your fundraiser on social media is to involve the people closest to it: your sellers and their parents (parental involvement will mostly depend on how old your sellers are). When they share your posts, it amplifies your message and reaches a wider network of potential supporters who might not be connected to your official accounts. This personal touch adds authenticity, showing that real people in your community are behind the fundraiser.

To make sharing simple and effective, provide sellers and parents with clear guidance and resources. In many cases, your fundraising partner should be able to provide you with a majority of what you’ll need, such as:

• Pre-written captions or messages: Give them sample text they can post along with images or videos of your fundraiser products.
• Shareable images or videos: Supply high-quality visuals that look great on social media and clearly showcase your products.
• Hashtags and links: Include any relevant hashtags and direct links to your online ordering page so supporters can take action immediately.
• Tips for posting: Offer suggestions for the best times of day to post or ways to highlight personal stories about why the fundraiser matters.

7. Post Consistently (But Not Overwhelmingly)

Consistency is key when using social media to promote your fundraiser. Regular posts keep your audience engaged and up to date on your campaign. Aim for a steady rhythm of updates rather than sporadic, last-minute posts that can feel rushed or unnecessary.

It’s also important not to overwhelm your followers. Posting too frequently can lead to fatigue, causing supporters to tune out or even unfollow your pages. A good rule of thumb is to post a few times per week, mixing different types of content — photos, videos, updates, and stories — to keep your page fresh and interesting.

By striking the right balance, you maintain visibility, encourage participation, and create an online presence that feels engaging and welcoming rather than pushy. This consistent approach helps build excitement and trust, making supporters more likely to act when it’s time to order or share your fundraiser.

Happy Fundraising!