Fundraising is the work of collecting money for a specific purpose or cause. When a school needs new playground equipment, the parent-teacher organization might organize fundraising activities like bake sales, fun runs, or car washes. When scientists want to study a rare disease, they do fundraising to pay for their research. Political candidates raise funds to pay for their campaigns.

The word combines fund (a sum of money saved or collected for a particular purpose) and raising (gathering or collecting). Fundraising can happen in many ways: selling products like wrapping paper or cookie dough, hosting special events, asking for donations directly, or setting up online campaigns where people can contribute.

Good fundraising requires clear communication about why the money is needed and how it will be used. When your soccer team does fundraising for new uniforms, you explain the goal and show people you're serious about the sport. A fundraiser can mean either a person who organizes these efforts or the event itself, like when someone says “We're having a fundraiser on Saturday.”

Successful fundraising often depends on persistence and creativity. Organizations that raise funds effectively make people feel connected to their mission and show donors exactly how their contributions make a difference.