Facebook Fundraisers: A Complete Guide for Nonprofits

It’s never been easier to get the word out about your organization without breaking the bank, but there’s a lot you need to know to do it (and compete with so many other nonprofits).

In 2025, a record-breaking 38.1 million people participated in Giving Tuesday, donating $4 billion in the U.S. alone. This represented a 13% increase in total dollars raised from the previous year, showing the movement’s momentum continues to accelerate. Meta, Facebook’s owner, even began limited donor matching for eligible nonprofits several years ago. 

That’s why we’re here to show you how to promote your organization on that 800-pound gorilla of social media platforms: Facebook. If you do it right, a smart Facebook strategy will attract new donors, encourage new volunteers, spread awareness, and, best of all, get ordinary people raising funds on your behalf!

Why Use Facebook for Fundraising in 2026?

Facebook doesn’t get the press it used to. But with over 3 billion users, your donors are already there. In 2026, the strategy has shifted from “broadcasting” to “community co-creation.” The most successful campaigns are no longer top-down corporate appeals; they’re grassroots movements powered by personal fundraisers.  

Birthday fundraisers remain the platform’s “killer app” for nonprofits. Despite newer platforms, the “birthday nudge” remains a powerful psychological trigger that converts passive followers into active advocates. In 2026, these have evolved into multi-channel experiences, where a supporter can launch a fundraiser that syncs instantly across their Facebook page, Instagram Reels, and WhatsApp status.  

By leveraging Facebook fundraising tools, you tap into social media’s most valuable currency today: peer-to-peer trust. Authenticity beats perfection. A raw, unpolished video shared by a volunteer from their smartphone often raises more than a high-budget ad because it feels human and urgent in a world of AI-generated noise.

How to Create a Facebook Fundraiser in 5 Steps

Setting up a Facebook fundraising page is now easier than ever. Here are the steps for your supporters:

1. Search “Fundraisers” in the Facebook app or click the “Fundraisers” shortcut.
2. Select “Raise Money” and search for your nonprofit organization.
3. Use the template feature to quickly apply the nonprofit’s preferred cover photo and mission statement.
4. Set fundraising goals and an end date.
5. Encourage supporters to share their fundraiser directly to WhatsApp and Instagram stories via the “Cross-Post” feature.

How to Receive Donation Payouts

Here’s the part that’s changed the most in recent years, and it’s important to get right for your budgeting. Since late 2023, Meta no longer processes donations directly and no longer covers processing fees. Every donation made through Facebook in the U.S. now routes through the PayPal Giving Fund.

When a supporter donates through your Facebook fundraiser, the PayPal Giving Fund collects the funds and grants them to your organization. Payouts typically arrive within 15 to 45 days for nonprofits enrolled with PayPal Giving Fund, and can take up to 90 days for organizations that haven’t enrolled.

Enroll to get faster payouts and keep your organization’s donation flow running smoothly. Confirm your nonprofit is enrolled with the PayPal Giving Fund and that your banking information is current. Unenrolled organizations wait significantly longer for their money.

Recurring Gifts

Native recurring giving through Facebook’s fundraising tools was discontinued in 2023. If monthly giving is central to your strategy, you’ll want to drive those supporters to a recurring giving option on your own website rather than relying on Facebook for it.

Processing Fees

Meta used to cover all processing fees so that 100% of a gift reached the nonprofit. That ended in November 2023.

Today, donations made through Facebook carry a payment processing fee of 1.99% + $0.49 per donation in the U.S. The good news is that Meta’s donation flow lets donors cover that fee at checkout, and most do. When they do, your organization still receives the full intended gift. Build the fee into your expectations either way, so your campaign budgeting reflects reality.

How to Promote a Facebook Fundraiser

While your supporters do the heavy lifting of reaching out to their friends, you still play a vital role. Remind your donors they can do this, and make the process as frictionless as possible. To hit your fundraising goals, follow these best practices:

• Make it easy on your website. Provide a dedicated FAQ page on your site to answer questions about Facebook fundraising tools.
• Give them a “cheat sheet.” Offer a step-by-step guide to setting up a personal fundraiser or birthday fundraiser. (Feel free to steal the steps from this article—we won’t tell!)
• Provide a messaging template. Most people want to help but don’t know what to say. Provide a template with recommended messaging and high-quality images to help their post stay on-brand while sounding personal.
• Encourage “the why.” Remind your followers to share a personal story about why they support your nonprofit organization. A personal story from a friend is more persuasive than any corporate slogan.
• Use the “Donate Button” everywhere. Ensure your Facebook page has a permanent donate button in the header. You can also now embed this button directly into a Facebook group or a live video stream to capture momentum in real-time.
• Slide into the DMs. Get in touch with individual fundraisers through Facebook Messenger. This is a great way to provide extra tips and get their contact information (like an email or phone number) to build a long-term relationship.
• Show public gratitude. Use the “Sort and Filter” tool on your Facebook nonprofit page to see every active Facebook fundraiser created for you, then thank them publicly! A shout-out in a Facebook post not only rewards the donor but shows their entire network that your organization is attentive and grateful.

Advanced 2026 Tools for Nonprofits

• AI Personalization: Use AI tools to draft personalized responses to fundraisers and analyze donor behavior patterns.
• Facebook Group Strategy: Use a private Facebook group to coordinate “Challenges” (e.g., “Walk 50 miles in May”) where members can support one another’s personal fundraisers.
• Video is King: Short-form video in the news feed is the best way to drive traffic. Use unpolished “behind-the-scenes” clips to show the impact of every dollar raised.

Meta Grants for Nonprofits

While Google is famous for its Google Ad Grants program ($10,000/month in free search ads), Meta’s approach is more specialized and community-driven. They don’t offer a universal ad grant, but they provide significant direct funding and support through targeted programs:

• Meta Data Center Community Action Grants: This is the flagship direct-funding program. It supports nonprofit organizations and schools that use technology to benefit the community or improve STEAM education. These grants are specifically available to organizations located near Meta’s data centers (spanning over 20 states, including AL, AZ, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, and more). Application windows and deadlines shift each cycle, so check Meta’s Data Center Community Action Grants page for the current open dates before you plan around them.
• The Creator Fast Track: This program helps organizations grow their reach through Reels. While aimed at creators, many nonprofit leaders use this to secure monthly stipends (ranging from $1,000 to $3,000) to produce content that drives awareness and nonprofit fundraising.

Facebook Ads

Facebook Ads have moved away from manual “micro-targeting” toward AI-driven systems like Advantage+. These tools analyze billions of signals to automatically find the people most likely to donate to your cause.

Special Ad Categories

If your nonprofit’s mission involves advocacy, social issues, or political issues, you must undergo a verification process. Use Meta’s AI to find your donors based on how they interact with your Facebook posts and website.

Page Post Engagement Ads

These remain the most “human” way to advertise. Take a post that’s already performing well—perhaps a heartfelt story from a volunteer—and pay to boost it to a wider audience. This way you know before you invest any money that the post spurs engagement.

Call to Action (CTA) Ads

These ads have a single goal: Donate Now, Sign Up, or Learn More. Current CTA ads often feature interactive elements, such as mini-chatbots that can answer a donor’s questions about tax deductions before they even click through to your site.

Virtual Event Ideas

Virtual events have evolved into highly interactive, hybrid experiences where the goal is participation rather than just observation.

• Facebook Live “Telethons”: With Facebook Live, you can stream for up to 8 hours. Use the “Live Donations” feature to pin your fundraising goals to the bottom of the screen. You can also invite guest collaborators to join your stream remotely, bringing their audience into your fundraiser.
• Digital Scavenger Hunts: Use a Facebook Group to host a week-long hunt. Supporters “unlock” clues by making small donations or sharing your posts. Use your donation receipt emails to deliver the “next clue” to keep donors engaged.
• Skill-sharing Workshops: Host a “Learn to Cook” or “Yoga for a Cause” session. Give supporters access to a private Facebook Group or live link when they click your donate button.
• “Why I Give” Reels Challenges: Short-form video is the king of engagement. Challenge your followers to post a 15-second Reel explaining their connection to your nonprofit organization, tagging three friends to do the same.

Why Virtual Still Wins

• Global Reach: Your gala is no longer limited by a ballroom. You can reach donors on LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and Facebook at the same time.
• Extreme Accessibility: Virtual events enable real-time AI captioning and translation, making your mission accessible to everyone.
• Higher ROI: By cutting out catering and venue rental, almost 100% of the funds raised go directly to your programs.

Get Expert Help with Your 2026 Strategy

The “800-pound gorilla” of social media is still evolving. From LinkedIn integrations to automated WhatsApp updates, managing a modern nonprofit marketing plan is a major undertaking.

At Big Sea, we stay ahead of the curve so you don’t have to. We specialize in nonprofit fundraising that blends human storytelling with 2026 technology. Contact Big Sea today to refresh your strategy and turn your followers into a fundraising force.

FAQs

Can You Still Create a Personal Fundraiser on Facebook?

Yes. Personal fundraisers remain one of the most effective Facebook fundraising tools for nonprofits. Supporters can create a fundraiser for your organization directly in the Facebook app, including birthday fundraisers, which remain one of the platform’s highest-converting formats.

What Are the Benefits of Facebook Fundraising for Nonprofits?

Facebook fundraising taps into peer-to-peer trust, turning your supporters into fundraisers who reach networks you couldn’t access on your own. It has a low barrier to entry, strong built-in sharing tools across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, and formats like birthday fundraisers that convert passive followers into active donors. With over 3 billion users on the platform, your supporters and their networks are already there.

How Do I Promote My Facebook Fundraiser to Reach More People?

Make it easy for supporters to fundraise on your behalf by providing messaging templates, cover photos, and a step-by-step cheat sheet. Add a permanent donate button to your Facebook page, publicly thank fundraisers, connect with individual organizers through Messenger, and use short-form video in the news feed to drive traffic. Encouraging supporters to share their personal “why” is the single most persuasive thing you can do.