Fundly: How to Launch a Winning Fundraising Campaign

Introduction

Crowdfunding has revolutionized the way individuals, nonprofits, and startups raise money. Among the top platforms, Fundly stands out for its flexibility, social sharing tools, and success in personal and cause-based fundraising. But how do you ensure your campaign doesn’t just exist—but thrives?

In this 2,000+ word guide, you’ll learn:

✅ Step-by-step instructions to set up a high-converting Fundly campaign

✅ Proven strategies to maximize donations and reach

✅ Real-world examples of successful Fundly campaigns

✅ Common mistakes to avoid for better results

By the end, you’ll have a ready-to-execute blueprint for fundraising success.

Why Choose Fundly for Fundraising?

Before diving into the “how,” let’s explore why Fundly is a top crowdfunding choice:

✔ No Penalties for Missing Goals – Keep what you raise (unlike Kickstarter’s all-or-nothing model).

✔ Social Media Optimized – Built-in tools to boost sharing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

✔ Low Fees – Just 4.9% + 2.9% payment processing (competitive with GoFundMe).

✔ Flexible Use Cases – Works for medical bills, education, nonprofits, startups, and more.

Comparison:

Platform Fees Funding Model Best For

Fundly 4.9% + 2.9% Keep what you raise Personal causes, nonprofits

GoFundMe 2.9% + $0.30/donation Keep what you raise Medical, emergencies

Kickstarter 5% + 3-5% payment fee All-or-nothing Creative projects

Step 1: Define Your Fundraising Goal

A. Set a Realistic Target

• Research similar campaigns (e.g., “How much do medical fundraisers average on Fundly?”).
• Break down costs (e.g., *”$10,000 for surgery + $2,000 for recovery”*).

B. Craft a Compelling “Why”

People donate to stories, not statistics. Structure your pitch with the following:

• The Problem (“My brother was diagnosed with…”)
• The Solution (“Treatment is available, but we need $15,000”)
• The Impact (“Your $50 covers one day of medication”)

Example:

“After a car accident left Maria with a spinal injury, her family turned to Fundly. A $30,000 goal covered surgery and rehab—and they hit it in 3 weeks.”

Step 2: Create a High-Converting Fundly Page

A. Write a Captivating Title

• Use emotional triggers and specificity:
• ❌ “Help me pay for college”
• ✅ “Support Jake’s Dream: Becoming the First in His Family to Graduate”

B. Optimize Your Story

• Hook in the first 3 lines (e.g., a shocking fact or heartfelt moment).
• Use short paragraphs + bullet points for readability.
• Include a video (campaigns with videos raise 105% more).

C. Add High-Quality Images

• Show real people (not stock photos).
• Use before/after visuals if relevant (e.g., a damaged home vs. rebuilding progress).

D. Set Reward Tiers (Optional)

For nonprofits/creative projects, offer:

• $25: Personalized thank-you note
• $100: Name in credits (e.g., for a film)
• $500: Exclusive project updates

Step 3: Launch with a Strong Outreach Plan

A. The “30-30-40” Sharing Rule

• 30% to inner circle (family, close friends) – They’ll donate first, creating momentum.
• 30% to the extended network (colleagues, social media groups).
• 40% to strangers (via hashtags, influencers, press).

B. Leverage Social Media

• Facebook: Post in relevant groups (e.g., “Cancer Support Communities”).
• Twitter/Instagram: Use #Fundly + niche hashtags (#SaveOurSchool, #MedicalFund).
• Email: Send a 3-part sequence (announcement, reminder, urgency update).

C. Partner with Local Media

• Pitch to community newspapers, radio, or blogs.
• Example subject line:

*”Local Teen Raises $20K on Fundly for Wheelchair-Accessible Van”*

Step 4: Keep Donors Engaged

A. Update Regularly

• Weekly posts showing progress (e.g., “We’re at 60%—thank you!”).
• Share impact stories (“Meet Sarah, who got her medication thanks to you”).

B. Respond to Every Donor

• Comment replies: “Thanks, Mark! Your $50 means the world.”
• Private messages: Send a personal thank-you (increases repeat donations).

C. Create Urgency

• “48 Hours Left to Hit Our Goal!”
• *”Matching Donor Alert: Every $1 = $2 Until Friday!”*

Step 5: Avoid These 5 Fundly Mistakes

❌ Mistake 1: Setting a vague goal (“Help my family” → “$15K for Mom’s Cancer Treatment”).

❌ Mistake 2: Ignoring SEO (Use keywords like “Fundly medical fundraiser” in your story).

❌ Mistake 3: Posting once and disappearing (Engage daily for 3x more donations).

❌ Mistake 4: No visuals (Campaigns with images get 94% more clicks).

❌ Mistake 5: Hiding updates (Donors want to see their impact).

3 Real Fundly Success Stories

1. “Bella’s Battle Against Leukemia”

• Raised: $52,000 (Goal: $30K)
• Key Tactic: Viral Facebook video showing Bella’s journey.

2. “Rebuild Smithville Animal Shelter”

• Raised: $78,000
• Key Tactic: Partnered with local pet influencers for shares.

3. “Tech Startup: Eco-Friendly App”

• Raised: $120,000
• Key Tactic: Offered beta access to $500+ donors.

Conclusion: Your Fundly Blueprint

Launching a winning Fundly campaign isn’t luck—it’s strategy + execution. Recap:

1. Set a clear goal (with emotional storytelling).
2. Optimize your page (video, images, rewards).
3. Promote smartly (30-30-40 rule + social media).
4. Engage donors (updates, thank-yous, urgency).
5. Avoid pitfalls (like vague asks or radio silence).

Now, go launch your fundraiser—and change lives (including yours).

1. Q: How much does Fundly charge per donation?

A: Fundly charges a 4.9% platform fee plus 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing fee per transaction. This is competitive with GoFundMe’s pricing structure. There are no additional hidden fees.

2. Q: What types of campaigns perform best on Fundly?

A: Fundly excels for:

• Medical emergencies (raised 42% more than other categories in 2023)

• Education costs (tuition, study abroad)

• Nonprofit fundraising

• Community projects

• Startup seed funding (unlike GoFundMe’s personal cause focus)

3. Q: How do I promote my Fundly campaign effectively?

A: Top promotion strategies:

✓ Launch with 30% of your goal already pledged (creates social proof)

✓ Post daily updates with donor shoutouts

✓ Use Facebook Live to share campaign milestones

✓ Partner with micro-influencers in your niche

✓ Add the campaign link to all email signatures

4. Q: Can I run a Fundly campaign internationally?

A: Yes, but with limitations:

• Available in US, Canada, UK, Australia

• All funds disbursed in USD

• Some payment methods vary by country

• Non-English campaigns see 23% lower conversion (add translations if targeting non-English speakers)

5. Q: What happens if I don’t reach my funding goal?

A: Unlike Kickstarter, Fundly uses flexible funding – you keep every dollar raised. However:

• Campaigns reaching 30%+ of goal get 61% more shares

• Consider lowering your target if stagnant at 50%

• You can extend the deadline once (max 15 extra days)

YOU MAY READ ALSO

Victory Plus