What is fundraising? purpose, types & how it works

09/07/25

Blog

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Helping Hands Coming Together

Imagine walking down your street and spotting a group of children eagerly selling handmade greeting cards. Curious, you ask why, and they excitedly reply, “We’re raising money for our school library!” That, in its simplest form, is fundraising—bringing people together to support a cause that makes a difference.

Fundraising is not just about collecting money; it is about helping hands coming together to create something meaningful. Whether it is a community hosting a bake sale, a company pledging donations, or thousands of people contributing through online crowdfunding, every effort counts. From charity marathons to donation drives, fundraising takes many shapes—but the goal remains the same: To create a positive impact, one contribution at a time.

If you are wondering how to donate, there are many ways to get involved. Whether through online donations, participating in local charity events, or volunteering your time, every act of generosity brings us closer to a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

The Purpose of Fundraising

At its heart, fundraising is about creating positive change. It is more than just collecting money—it is about coming together to solve real-world problems and uplift communities.

• Building a Better World: Every rupee donated has the power to transform lives. Whether it is providing education to less privileged children, ensuring access to healthcare, or offering relief during natural disasters, fundraising bridges the gap between need and support. Think of organisations that build schools, equip hospitals, or provide meals to those in need—all made possible by fundraising efforts.

• Making an Impact: Fundraising is not just about financial support; it is about the lives touched. Imagine a small village struggling with access to clean water. A group of people come together, raise funds, and build a well. Suddenly, children no longer have to walk miles for safe drinking water. That is the real impact—turning contributions into life-changing solutions.

• Community Participation: The beauty of fundraising is that anyone can be a part of it. A child collecting funds to help rescue animals, a group of friends running a charity marathon, or a company funding a hospital—every effort, big or small, makes a difference. It is a reminder that generosity is not measured by the amount given but by the intent to help.

When people unite for a cause, incredible things happen. That’s the true purpose of fundraising—to bring people together and create a world where everyone has a chance to thrive.

Types of Fundraising

Fundraising comes in many forms, making it easy for everyone to contribute in a way that suits them best. Whether it is through small online donations or large-scale corporate giving, every effort helps bring about change.

• Crowdfunding: Imagine a giant digital donation box where people contribute whatever they can. Small amounts from many individuals can make a huge impact. 

• Corporate Giving: Many companies integrate giving into their business model, donating a portion of their profits or matching employee contributions.

• Charity Events: Who said fundraising can’t be exciting? Events like marathons, auctions, and concerts raise money while engaging communities.

• Direct Donations: Many NGOs and charities accept direct contributions, allowing people to donate money instantly—either online or in person.

• Government-Backed Fundraising Initiatives: The government runs several programmes encouraging people to donate toward social welfare projects.

Read Also: Make A Difference With Micro-Donations: Ways to Donate Online

How Fundraising Works

Fundraising isn’t just about collecting money—it is about turning an idea into a real impact. Let’s walk through the process step by step with a simple and relatable example.

1. Identifying a Cause

It all starts with a purpose. Imagine a group of students visiting a nearby village and realising the school has barely any books, and deciding to raise money to buy books and encourage reading among the children.

2. Choosing the Right Fundraising Method

Now comes the big question: How do they raise money? Should they organise a bake sale, start an online crowdfunding campaign, or host a charity event at their school? They chose crowdfunding so that people from different cities could contribute easily.

3. Reaching Supporters

Spreading the word is key. They create a social media page, share heartwarming stories about the village school, and put up posters in their college. Friends, family, and strangers start pitching in after seeing their efforts.

4. Collecting & Utilising Funds

As donations start coming in, they carefully track every rupee. Once they reach their target, they buy books and distribute them to the excited children. The joy on their faces makes all the effort worth it.

5. Showing Impact

To inspire more people to give, they share pictures and videos of the children receiving their books. Seeing the direct impact of their donations, more people express interest in helping with future projects.

How to Donate

Giving back has never been easier. Whether you prefer a quick online transfer or hands-on volunteering, there are plenty of ways to support a cause. Here are some simple ways to donate:

• Online Donations: With websites, donation apps, and UPI payments, contributing to a cause is now just a few taps away.

• In-Person Contributions: Sometimes, all it takes is dropping a small amount into a donation box or participating in a charity event.

• Payroll Giving: Many companies allow employees to donate a portion of their salary each month, making regular giving effortless.

• Volunteering:  If you can’t donate money, you can donate your time and skills. 

How Bal Raksha Bharat is Making a Difference

At Bal Raksha Bharat, a child welfare NGO, (also known as Save the Children India), we believe that fundraising is more than just collecting money—it is about transforming lives. Every rupee raised helps us provide education, healthcare, and emergency relief to children in need across India.

We have created multiple ways to donate, making it easy for individuals and organisations to contribute. Whether you choose to donate online, participate in a charity event, or support our campaigns, every contribution fuels real change. Through our fundraising efforts, we ensure that children from marginalised communities receive quality education. By setting up learning centres, providing school supplies, and training teachers, we give every child the chance to dream big. Our work goes beyond short-term support. Through livelihood programmes, healthcare projects, and child protection initiatives, we create a long-term impact for families, helping them create better opportunities for themselves and their children. 

Anikait Suri