How to start a fundraiser for your club or community group

Whether it's a junior footy side that needs new jerseys, a surf club after a rescue board, or a Scout group saving for camp, knowing how to start a fundraiser is the difference between a vague "we should do something" and money in the account. This guide is for Australian sports clubs and community groups running their first proper campaign. We'll go from idea to launch in clear steps, then cover the first 48 hours, the window that quietly decides how the whole thing goes.

What's the first thing to do when starting a fundraiser?

Agree on what you're raising money for and how much you need, before you pick any fundraiser. A specific goal tied to a real outcome, "$6,000 for new training gear by the end of the season", gives people a reason to give and gives you a number to rally around.

Write it down in one sentence that anyone in the club could repeat. If your members can't explain the goal in a breath, neither can the supporters you're asking.

Step 1 — form a small team and set the goal

You don't need a big committee. Two or three reliable people who'll actually follow through beat a long list of names. Between you, settle:

• The cause and the number. What the money is for, and a specific, realistic total.
• The deadline. A clear end date creates urgency. Open-ended fundraisers drift.
• Who does what. One person owns the message, one owns sharing, one owns thanking people. Keep it simple.

Step 2 — pick the right type of fundraiser

The right fundraiser is the one your people will actually take part in and that doesn't load your volunteers with risk or admin. Broadly, you're choosing between three:

• Events — trivia nights, club BBQs, raffles, gala days. Great for community spirit, but they take planning and often need money spent before any comes in.
• Donations — a straight ask through a crowdfunding page. Simple, but you're relying purely on goodwill with nothing in return.
• Product fundraising — supporters buy something they want and a share goes to your club. People get value for their money, which makes the ask far easier. Here's a deeper look at how product fundraising works.

Many clubs get the best result by combining one bigger campaign with a smaller event, rather than betting everything on a single idea.

Step 3 — set up your campaign and write your story

However you raise money, your campaign needs a short, honest story: who you are, what you need, and what changes if you hit the goal. Keep it human, name the kids, the team, the gear. A few clear sentences and one good photo beat a wall of text.

If you're running a product fundraiser with CommuniTea, this is where you start a fundraiser, choose your products and set your page live. There's no setup fee and no stock to buy upfront for hosted campaigns, supporters shop real products like premium dried fruit, and 20% of every sale goes to your cause. You can see the full mechanics on the how it works page.

Step 4 — launch to your inner circle first

Don't blast the whole town on day one. Share with your committee, players, parents and closest supporters first. When new visitors arrive to a campaign that already has support and momentum, they're far more likely to chip in too.

Why do the first 48 hours matter so much?

Because early momentum is contagious. A campaign that gains visible support in its first two days looks alive and worth backing; one that sits empty looks like it's already failed. Line up a handful of people ready to support and share the moment you go live.

A simple first-48-hours plan:

1. Hour zero. Post to your committee and most committed members with a direct ask: support now and share.
2. Day one. Share in club and team group chats, then on the club's social pages. Personal messages beat broadcast posts.
3. Day two. Post a quick update, "we're already a fifth of the way there, thank you", and tag the people who helped.

Step 5 — keep the momentum and say thank you

Once you're live, post updates as you hit milestones, thank supporters by name where you can, and remind people of the deadline as it nears. When you finish, close the loop: share the final total and what it paid for. That transparency is what makes your next campaign easier. For a full walkthrough of every stage, see the ultimate fundraising guide, or browse live fundraisers for ideas on how other groups tell their story.

Frequently asked questions

How much money should we try to raise?

Pick a number tied to a real outcome you can name, and that fits how many supporters you can realistically reach. A specific, believable goal beats an ambitious one nobody thinks is possible.

Do we need to be a registered charity to fundraise?

Not necessarily, plenty of clubs and community groups fundraise without charity status. Rules vary by state and by activity, so check your state's fundraising guidelines and any requirements for things like raffles.

What's the easiest fundraiser for a club with few volunteers?

A product fundraiser with no upfront stock. There's nothing to buy in advance, no cash to bank by hand, and packing and shipping are handled for you.

How long should a fundraiser run?

Long enough to build momentum, short enough to keep urgency, a few weeks is a common sweet spot. A clear deadline matters more than the exact length.

How do we get people to share our campaign?

Ask directly and make it easy. Give supporters a ready-to-send message and a link, and thank publicly everyone who shares.