What does fundraise mean?
“Fundraise” means to collect money for a particular purpose, often as part of a public campaign, charity appeal, school activity, or community event. It is both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it can describe the activity of seeking donations, sponsoring events, or otherwise gathering financial support: “The choir fundraised for a local hospice.” As a noun, it refers to the campaign or event itself, though “fundraiser” is often more usual. The word is used in both British and American English and is especially associated with charitable, institutional, and community causes, but it can also describe commercial or political campaigns. In British usage, “raise funds” is sometimes preferred as a more formal alternative. The term is related to “fund,” from the Latin fundus, meaning a bottom or foundation, and to “raise,” meaning to lift or set upright. Together, they express the idea of bringing together money for a cause.
To organize or participate in an effort to collect money for a charitable, institutional, community, political, or other purpose.
"The musicians fundraised for refugee relief by performing at a series of benefit concerts."
Common in both British and American English; “raise money” is a frequent alternative.
An event, campaign, or activity organized to collect money for a particular purpose.
"The bake sale was a successful fundraise for the school library."
The related noun “fundraiser” is generally more common and may also refer to the person or organization responsible for collecting the money.
The plural is used when referring to multiple money-raising events or campaigns.
"Several fundraises across the city raised money for the same local charity."
“Fundraise” compresses an entire money-collecting campaign into one word: it is both the action you perform and, less commonly, the event you organize.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does fundraise come from?
“Fundraise” is a compound formed from “fund” and the verb “raise.” The noun “fund” comes through French from Latin fundus, meaning “bottom” or “foundation,” and was originally associated with money or resources set aside for a purpose. “Raise” has Germanic roots and means to lift, erect, or bring something to a higher level. The compound meaning “collect money” developed in the 19th century, while the use of “fundraise” as a noun for a money-collecting event became established later.
Related word forms
How fundraise is actually used
“Fundraise” is common in both British and American English, although British speakers may more often say “raise money” or “hold a fundraiser” in some contexts. As a verb, it can be used intransitively, as in “They fundraised for weeks,” or transitively, as in “They fundraised £2,000.” The noun “fundraise” is less frequent than the related noun “fundraiser.”
Easily confused with fundraise
A fundraise is the act or campaign of collecting money, while a fundraiser is usually the event or person through which money is collected.