What is pledge fundraising?
Pledge fundraising is a method of fundraising that encourages fundraisers to commit to donate or raise a certain amount of money toward a specific charity or organization within a specific time frame. This type of fundraising is often used to help provide support or relief in critical or urgent situations such as a particular social issue, disaster relief or medical need.
When it comes to St. Jude, pledge fundraising helps make a difference in the lives of kids with cancer and other life-threatening diseases worldwide.
What's the difference between pledging and donating?
The main differences between a regular donation and a pledge donation are timing and, typically, the size of the donation. Here are brief definitions to better explain the difference between them:
- Donations: A donation is usually completed as an immediate action and, while donations can be of any size, they are often a smaller amount (in comparison to a pledged donation).
- Pledged donations: Pledge donations are typically a commitment to making a larger donation within a certain amount of time. These types of donations can also be dependent on certain actions being performed, such as a group of people walking a certain distance or reading a certain number of books within a determined time frame.
What are the benefits of pledge fundraising?
Completing a pledge fundraiser can have huge benefits for both the organization receiving the donations as well as the fundraiser organizer and its participants.
- For the organization: Along with increased donations, pledge fundraising also provides a predictable stream of revenue for the organization, making it easier to plan out future financial needs. These types of fundraisers can also expand the organization’s audience base and increase brand recognition, potentially leading to more donations in the future.
- For donors and campaign organizers: Both can enjoy a heightened sense of impact and community involvement. Donors are provided with flexibility when it comes to fulfilling their pledges, leaving them with the opportunity to make a larger donation than they might have been able to make with a one-time, instantaneous donation.
How do I start a pledge fundraiser?
The overall process of starting a pledge fundraiser and a regular fundraiser is very similar. The main differences come in during the planning and promotion stages:
1. Plan your fundraiser
Pledge fundraising offers the opportunity to make a larger impact, so aim for the sky! Once you’ve set your goal you can decide what type of fundraiser you’d like to run, where it should take place, how long the fundraiser will run for and all the details. Learn about planning a fundraiser.
2. Sign up to fundraise
In some cases, you may need to reach out to your charity to discuss your fundraiser. For St. Jude, you can simply fill out this form to get the process started.
3. Build your messaging
Creating compelling and engaging messaging can make or break your fundraising goals. Using persuasive storytelling for fundraising will help potential donors feel connected to the cause.
4. Launch and promote your fundraiser
It's time to launch your fundraising campaign and start collecting those pledges! Start promoting your fundraiser as soon as possible to reach the largest audience. Learn more about how to promote a fundraiser.
Join these pledgers in supporting the children of St. Jude
Discover how 16-year-old Max Margolis raised over $20,000 for the children of St. Jude.
Learn about 11-year-old Sawyer Hansen's annual swim for St. Jude he's being doing since age 5.
Join Tri Delta in their ongoing efforts to support childhood cancer research and treatment.
Check out Domino’s historic goal of raising $300 million to benefit the mission of St. Jude.
Pledge fundraising ideas
Often, pledge fundraising is completed as an “event-a-thon,” such as a walkathon or telethon, but your options are truly endless. We’ve put together a few ideas for inspiration:
- Dance contests
- Fitness events or challenges such as a bike-a-thon or marathon
- Gaming marathons
- Raffles
- Read-a-thons
- Golf tournaments
- Talent competitions
- Trivia nights
St. Jude patient Luis
Your support helps patients like Luis
In 2023, 16-year-old Luis was diagnosed with osteosarcoma — the most common type of bone cancer in children and teens. In Nicaragua, where Luis Martin lives, doctors referred him to St. Jude.
Thanks to St. Jude supporters like you, Luis’s was able to receive treatment including chemotherapy and limb-sparing surgery. While at St. Jude, Luis began to play the guitar. For his 17th birthday, his mother gave him a guitar and now he's taking lessons at St. Jude. She said it has helped him in many ways. “Playing the guitar distracts him a lot,” she said.
Why pledge to St. Jude?
Families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80% within the U.S., and we won't stop until no child dies from cancer.
Every child deserves a chance to live their best life and celebrate every moment. When you support St. Jude, you help give kids with cancer around the world that chance. Together, we can save more lives.
St. Jude patient Everly
Make an impact on St. Jude kids
When you support St. Jude, you support a lifesaving mission to advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric cancer for children worldwide. Unlike other hospitals, the majority of funds for St. Jude come from generous donors.
You may also be interested in:
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Fundraising stories
Read about our favorite St. Jude fundraising stories from 2023, and learn how fundraising helps save lives.
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Ways to give
Find ways to give to St. Jude. Make a donation, memorialize a loved one, give through work or include St. Jude in your will.
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Why support St. Jude?
Learn how supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital helps pediatric cancer patients worldwide.