How to Use WhatsApp to Supercharge Your Fundraising Campaign

With billions of users worldwide and some of the highest engagement rates of any communication platform, WhatsApp has become one of the most effective tools for fundraising. Whatever fundraising run you're doing, WhatsApp allows you to connect directly with supporters, share your story, and inspire donations in a personal and meaningful way. In this guide, we'll explore why WhatsApp is such a powerful fundraising channel and how you can use it to maximise awareness, engagement, and donations.

Why WhatsApp Is A Fundraising Game-Changer

WhatsApp is the world's most popular messaging platform, with more than 3.3 billion monthly active users across over 180 countries. Every day, users send over 150 billion messages, making it one of the most frequently used communication tools on the planet.

The platform is particularly dominant in the UK. Nearly 40 million people use WhatsApp. and around 80% of online adults use it regularly. The highest engagement comes from 25-34-year-olds, with approximately 73% actively using the app. Unlike email and social media, WhatsApp messages are highly likely to be seen and acted upon. Users spend an average of 38 minutes per day on the app and 88% of messages are read within five minutes of being delivered. Group chats account for up to 57% of message activity and billions of photos, videos, and voice notes are shared daily. or fundraisers, this means your message has a far greater chance of being noticed than through many traditional channels.

How to use WhatsApp As Part Of Your Fundraising Strategy

Who Are You targeting?

Before you start sharing your fundraising page, think about who you're trying to reach.

Begin by creating a list of potential supporters, including friends and family, work colleagues, existing donors, volunteers, community groups and ports clubs and local organisations. You can use one to one messaging, WhatsApp Groups or alternatively WhatsApp Broadcast Lists. The latter allow you to send personalised messages to multiple people without creating a group conversation. This keeps communication private while maintaining a personal touch. If are fundraising on Just Giving you can post direct from the site. You may decide to use a combination of the different approaches. More on these options below.

What Is Your 'Why'?

People are more likely to donate when they understand why you're fundraising and how their contribution will make a difference. Clearly explain your fundraising goal. Outline how the money will be used. Highlight the impact donations will have and include a direct link to your fundraising page.

Tell Your Story

Why does the cause matters to you. What inspired you to get involved. and who will benefit from the funds raised. Authentic storytelling helps supporters connect emotionally with your cause and encourages them to take action.

Include a Strong Call to Action

Be direct and clear in your messaging. Donate today. Share this page with your contacts. Help me reach my target. Every contribution makes a difference. The easier you make it for people to act, the more likely they are to support you.

Always Use Images And Videos

Visual content is one of the most effective ways to capture attention. Photos related to your cause. Training updates, especially in bad weather (like the picture below)! Short video messages. Impact stories. Graphics explaining how to donate

Be Engaging

Fundraising on WhatsApp shouldn't be a one-way conversation. Send Personal Messages,

don't treat everyone the same.

Follow Up

Not everyone will donate immediately. If someone has expressed interest but hasn't yet contributed, a friendly reminder can be highly effective. Keep follow-ups polite and positive, focusing on your progress and remaining goal.

Say Thank You

Always thank people who donate, regardless of the amount. It shows appreciation. It strengthens relationships and encourages future support. it makes donors feel connected to your success

A simple thank you can make all the difference. How would you feel if your donation wasn't acknowledged?

Using Special Features on WhatsApp For Your Fundraising

One-to-One Messaging

Direct messages are ideal if you're comfortable reaching out individually. This can result in more personal communication, hgher engagement rates, easier conversations and a better opportunity to answer questions

Using WhatsApp Broadcast Lists

A WhatsApp Broadcast List allows you to send the same message to multiple contacts at once without creating a group chat. It's the WhatsApp equivalent of the BCC feature in email. Each recipient receives your message as a private, one-to-one conversation, making it feel more personal and direct. Contacts cannot see who else received the message making it more private and any responses are sent directly to you rather than shared with the entire list. Unlike group chats, there are no ongoing conversations between recipients, making it easier for your message to stand out. You can also reach multiple supporters at once: You can include up to 256 contacts in a single broadcast list and create multiple lists if you need to reach a larger audience. For a broadcast message to be delivered successfully, recipients must have your phone number saved in their contacts. This is a WhatsApp anti-spam measure designed to ensure people only receive messages from contacts they know and trust.

To create a broadcast list open WhatsApp and go to your Chats screen. Tap More Options (three dots on Android) or Broadcast Lists (on iPhone). and select new broadcast. Choose the contacts you want to include, create your list and start sending updates. Once created, you can continue using the same list throughout your fundraising campaign, making it easy to keep supporters informed and engaged. Broadcast Lists are ideal for campaign updates, event invitations, thank-you messages and sharing donation links. If your goal is to share updates without creating a group discussion, a broadcast list is often the better choice.

WhatsApp Groups

Groups are useful when you want to update multiple people at once and you want interaction. They work particularly well for community fundraisers, sports teams, workplace fundraising and volunteer groups WhatsApp Groups are better than broadcast lists for team collaboration, volunteer coordination, community discussions and interactive conversations. The key is to provide valuable updates without overwhelming members with too many messages.

Sharing Your JustGiving Page on WhatsApp

If you're fundraising through JustGiving, sharing your page via WhatsApp is really easy. Just log in to your JustGiving account, open your fundraising page, select the Share button and choose the WhatsApp icon. WhatsApp will automatically open with a pre-populated message and fundraising link. Select your contacts or groups, add a personal note, and send. When you donate to a fundraising page, you'll often see a Share on WhatsApp option on the confirmation screen. Sharing your donation can inspire others to follow your example and support the same cause.

Sharing pictures of your training in tough, winter weather will show how committed you are

What Should You Post?

Launch Message

What you're doing, why you're doing it, your fundraising target and how people can support

Progress Updates

Fundraising milestones, training updates, stories from beneficiaries and challenges you've overcome

Final Summary

Share your final total, celebrate achievements, thank supporters and explain the impact of the funds raised

How Often Should You Message?

The right frequency depends on your relationship with the audience, the type of group/broadcast list and the length of your campaign. As a general rule you should launch strongly, share occasional meaningful updates, avoid sending messages too frequently and focus on quality over quantity. People are more likely to engage when updates are relevant and valuable. Adjust the frequency based on what's working. Which messages generated the most donations? What types of content received the most responses? Did images perform better than text? Were personal messages more effective than group posts?

Final Thoughts

WhatsApp offers fundraisers a unique opportunity to reach supporters directly, build stronger relationships, and drive meaningful action. Its combination of personal communication, high engagement rates, and easy sharing capabilities makes it one of the most powerful fundraising tools available today. By building the right audience, telling compelling stories, using engaging visuals, and maintaining regular communication, you can turn WhatsApp into a highly effective channel for raising awareness and increasing donations. Whatever run you're doing, a thoughtful WhatsApp strategy can help you reach more people and raise more money.

Have a listen to this podcast from Imogen who used WhatsApp when fundraising for Together Dementia Support at the Great Manchester Run Half Marathon. 90% of her fundraising was via WhatsApp. (coming soon)