Whether it’s your birthday, a day of giving like Give to the Max Day or Giving Tuesday, or just another day, hosting a Facebook fundraiser can be a fun, effective way to encourage your friends and family to give back. Follow the steps below to start a fundraiser for United Way or another cause you care about – it takes less than five minutes!

1. Get started: Visit Facebook.com/fundraisers or click on “Fundraisers” in the sidebar of your timeline. 

2. Find your cause: Use the “Select Nonprofit” button and search for the organization you’d like to fundraise for. 

3. Set a goal: Decide how much you’d like to raise, and set an end date for your fundraiser. If you set a high goal number, you may want to allow for a longer fundraising period.

4. Personalize your fundraiser: Facebook’s fundraising tool provides text for you in the “Why are you raising money?” box, but a personalized message to your friends and family will be more powerful. Use your own words to share why the organization you’re fundraising for is important to you! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

“I want to make a difference in the place I call home, which is why I’m raising money for United Way of 1000 Lakes. When you give to United Way, your donation stays in the Itasca area, helping people who live, work, and play here.”

“For my birthday this year, I’m asking for donations to United Way of 1000 Lakes, where I trust that donations are going where they’re needed most.”

“It’s the season of giving! Join me in giving back through United Way of 1000 Lakes, and help give our community a bright future.”

5. Share, share, share: The more active you are in sharing your fundraiser on social media, the more successful it will be! So spread the word about your fundraiser on your social media pages, and ask friends or family to share it as well. You can even provide updates as you get closer to your goal, encouraging your network to give before time runs out! 

Do you need help setting up a Facebook fundraiser for United Way? Contact us by phone (218-999-7570) or email (info@uwlakes.org) for assistance, tools, and resources. To find more ways to give to United Way, visit uwlakes.org/ways-to-give.