For most UK personal causes, GoFundMe UK is the simplest starting point, free for the organiser, with a real story page.
- Use a crowdfunding page as your hub, then send a direct email to your closest contacts at launch.
- Add one event or pledge challenge to create a shareable moment and build momentum.
- Raffles run by private individuals are not lawful in the UK under the Gambling Act 2005, read that section before planning one.
- If your cause becomes recurring and community-facing, you may need to register as a charity. Zeffy is 100% free for UK-registered charities.
Personal fundraising and charity fundraising are not the same thing, and treating them as such wastes your time. If you are one person trying to cover a cost not met by the NHS, a funeral, an emergency repair, or a family relocation, you need tools and tactics built for individuals, not charity software. This guide gives you both: 25+ proven fundraising ideas organised by category, and a clear-eyed look at which platforms actually fit a personal cause.
We will also draw a line at the end. If your personal cause has grown into a recurring community effort, a memorial scholarship, or an ongoing fund, you may have crossed into charity territory, and the approach changes. We will show you where that line is.
In this article:
Quick list: 25+ fundraising ideas for individuals, by category
Jump to the category that fits your situation:
Online and digital (8)
- Personal crowdfunding campaign
- Personal matching challenge
- Virtual event or workshop
Events and sales (8)
- Car boot sale or house clearance sale
- Raffle (read the UK rules below first)
- Charity concert or open mic
- Game night or trivia night
Community and local (5)
- Local business partnerships
- Donation jars at local shops
- Yard work or chore services
Low-effort and passive (5)
- Tutoring or skill-based sessions
What can you fundraise for as an individual?
Personal fundraising lets you ask friends, family, and the wider public to support you through donations. In the UK, personal fundraising for health is usually about the gap around the NHS, private treatment, specialist equipment, travel to treatment, or support during recovery. The most common reasons individuals raise money include:
- Treatment costs not covered by the NHS (private treatment top-ups, specialist equipment, dental work, therapy, travel to appointments)
- Funeral and memorial expenses
- Emergency home or car repairs
- Veterinary bills for a pet
- Natural disaster or flood recovery
- Adoption or fertility treatment
- Wedding or major life milestone expenses
- Tuition or course fees where you are topping up beyond student finance
One thing to know upfront: most fundraising platforms split into two camps. Personal-cause platforms (like GoFundMe UK) let any individual raise money for themselves or someone else. Charity platforms (like Zeffy) require you to have a registered charity. If your cause is personal, stick with the first camp. We cover the platform choice in detail below.
UK personal fundraising has a specific legal edge worth knowing about: online public raffles run by an individual are not lawful under the Gambling Act 2005. See the raffle section below before planning one (Gambling Commission guidance).
Online and digital fundraising ideas
1. Personal crowdfunding campaign
Crowdfunding is the default starting point for most personal causes. You create a public campaign page with your story and a donation goal, and small contributions from many people add up. Setup is free on the major platforms, and you can be live in under an hour.
How to start a crowdfunding campaign
- Choose a platform that supports personal causes (see the platform comparison below).
- Set a goal that includes your direct expenses plus expected processing fees.
- Write your story with specific details: what happened, what the money will cover, and what timeline you are working with.
- Share with close friends and family first, then post publicly once you have early momentum.
2. Birthday fundraiser
Turn your birthday into a fundraising moment by asking friends and family to donate to your cause instead of buying gifts. This works especially well on Facebook, which has a built-in birthday fundraiser tool, but you can also run it on any crowdfunding platform.
How to launch a birthday fundraiser
- Set a realistic goal based on your network size, not your total need.
- Launch two to three weeks before your birthday, with reminders the week before and on the day.
- Share the final total publicly and thank donors by name when possible.
3. Social media challenge
A social media challenge invites your network to participate in something visible, a short video, a photo, a tagged post, tied to your fundraiser. Think ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, but smaller scale. The participation is the marketing.
How to run a social media challenge
- Pick something simple, repeatable, and easy to film in 30 seconds.
- Tie it to a specific donation prompt: 'Donate £10 and tag three friends to do the same.'
- Create a branded hashtag so you can find and reshare participants.
- Pin your donation link in every post and in your bio.
4. Direct email campaign
Personal asks convert better than passive posts. A direct email to people who actually know you, written in plain language, will outperform a generic social share almost every time. This is especially true for larger asks (£100 and above).
How to run an email campaign
- Build a list of 30 to 100 people who know you well: family, close friends, colleagues, mentors, neighbours.
- Send individually or in small BCC batches, not as a mass blast.
- Keep it short: what happened, what you need, how to give, and a sincere thank-you in advance.
- Follow up once, about a week later, with anyone who has not responded.
5. Personal matching challenge
Ask one or two close friends or family members to match the first round of donations up to a set amount (say, the first £500 or £1,000). Then promote the match: 'Every pound you give in the next 48 hours is doubled.'
How to set up a matching challenge
- Line up your matcher (or matchers) before you announce.
- Set a clear cap and a time window, urgency is what makes matching work.
- Update donors in real time: 'We are at £340 of £500 matched.'
- Publicly thank the matcher when the challenge closes.
6. Livestream fundraiser
If you have a skill or hobby that is watchable (music, art, gaming, cooking), you can livestream on Twitch, YouTube, or Instagram Live and ask viewers to donate during the stream. Streams of three to eight hours tend to perform best.
How to run a livestream fundraiser
- Pre-promote the stream at least a week in advance.
- Pin your donation link in chat and in the video description.
- Set milestone goals during the stream (for example, 'At £200 I will keep streaming another hour').
- Thank donors by name on stream as gifts come in.
7. Virtual event or workshop
Charge a small entry fee for an online event: a yoga class, a cooking demonstration, a Q&A, a paid workshop in a skill you have. Zoom or Google Meet plus a simple ticketing setup is all you need.
How to host a virtual event
- Pick a topic you can deliver confidently.
- Price it accessibly: £10 to £25 per ticket usually outperforms higher prices for personal-cause events.
- Promote in two waves: when you announce, and again 48 hours before.
- Record the session and offer a replay link to anyone who donates afterwards.
8. Memorial or tribute page
If you are raising money in memory of someone, most major crowdfunding platforms let you create a dedicated memorial or tribute page. These tend to perform especially well because the emotional context is clear and the community of mourners is naturally inclined to give.
How to set up a memorial page
- Choose a platform that explicitly supports memorial campaigns.
- Include a clear note about how the funds will be used: funeral costs, ongoing family support, a scholarship, and so on.
- Coordinate with immediate family before publishing so the messaging is unified.
- If the goal is a recurring scholarship or fund, see the charity section at the end of this guide.
Event-based fundraising ideas
9. Bake sale
The classic for a reason. Low cost to start, easy to coordinate with friends, and homemade food has an appeal that shop-bought items cannot match.
How to run a bake sale
- For a one-off charity bake sale, formal registration with your local council is not usually required. If you intend to sell regularly, register as a food business with your local council at least 28 days before your first sale, it is free.
- Follow basic food hygiene: label anything containing the 14 major allergens, keep perishables cool, and check your local council's website for any specific requirements.
- Pick an accessible spot: your front garden, a friend's doorstep, a community event with permission.
- Offer at least one allergy-friendly and one vegan option.
- Accept both cash and a mobile payment app (PayPal, Monzo, or a SumUp card reader).
10. Car boot sale or house clearance sale
Turn unused items into fundraising cash. Ask friends and family to donate items too, most people have things they would happily give away if the items went to a good cause.
How to run a car boot or jumble sale
- Collect items from your home and your network at least two weeks ahead.
- Book a pitch at a local car boot sale (typically £5 to £15 per pitch) or arrange a jumble sale at a local hall or church.
- Post in local Facebook groups, Gumtree, Nextdoor UK, and Facebook Marketplace to attract buyers.
- Organise by category and price clearly, buyers move faster when they do not have to ask.
- Accept cash and one digital payment method (bank transfer or a SumUp reader).
11. Raffle
Raffles in the UK are lotteries under the Gambling Act 2005 and are regulated by the Gambling Commission. As a private individual, you cannot lawfully sell raffle tickets in advance or online for a personal cause.
The only lawful route for an individual is an incidental non-commercial lottery: tickets sold and drawn entirely at a one-off event you organise (a fete, a dinner, a quiz night), with no cash prizes above £500 and no more than £500 spent on prizes from the ticket sales.
If you want a wider raffle, ask a registered charity or club that supports your cause to run it as a small society lottery on your behalf. They register with the local council (£40 initial fee, £20 annual renewal) and can sell tickets more broadly, with a single draw cap of £20,000 and a maximum single prize of £25,000.
How to run an incidental lottery at your event
- Sell tickets only at the event itself, not in advance or online.
- Draw the winner at the same event before it closes.
- Keep prizes within the £500 cap and do not offer cash prizes.
- Solicit prizes from local businesses with a short, clear ask (a gift card, a free session, a hamper).
12. Craft or art sale
If you make things, sell them. Etsy, Instagram, and a single weekend pop-up can move a surprising amount of stock if you have a story attached.
How to run a craft sale
- Make a small batch first (10 to 30 items) to test pricing.
- Take clear photos and write product descriptions that tie back to your cause.
- Price for the cause, not just your time, buyers know they are supporting you.
13. Charity concert or open mic
If you or your friends play music, host a paid concert or open mic night at a local venue. Many venues will waive or reduce their fee for a personal cause if you bring the crowd.
How to run a concert fundraiser
- Line up three to five performers willing to play for free.
- Find a venue (a bar, café, community centre, or church) and explain the cause when you ask.
- Charge £10 to £20 at the door and pass a donation bucket between sets.
- Sell baked goods or merchandise on the side to lift the total.
14. Game night or trivia night
Host a trivia, bingo, or board game night at a friend's house, a local pub, or a community space. Charge entry per person or per team.
15. Sports tournament
Organise a casual tournament: football, basketball, rounders, skittles, or golf. Teams pay an entry fee, and you can layer in a raffle (at the event) or food sales.
How to run a tournament
- Pick a sport with low equipment barriers.
- Use a free local field or park (check permit rules with your local council).
- Charge £20 to £40 per team or per person.
- Recruit a friend to handle brackets so you can focus on hosting.
16. Themed dinner party
Host a dinner at your home with a theme (Italian night, curry night, dessert tasting). Guests donate to attend. Keep the guest list small enough that the meal feels intimate.
Community and local fundraising ideas
17. Local business partnerships
Approach small businesses in your area for simple support: a donation, a percentage of sales for a day, a donation jar at the counter, or a co-hosted event.
How to ask local businesses
- Pick businesses with a natural tie to your cause when possible (a pharmacy for medical, a bookshop for education).
- Keep the ask simple and specific, most businesses prefer a clear, low-effort partnership.
- Offer something back: social media mentions, signage at any event you host, a mention in your fundraiser updates.
18. Donation jars at local shops
The simplest local partnership. Ask coffee shops, salons, gyms, and family-owned restaurants if you can place a labelled jar at the counter for a few weeks.
How to run a donation jar
- Use a clear container with a printed label: your name, your cause, your photo, a QR code linking to your online campaign.
- Check in weekly to collect cash and refresh the label.
- Thank the business publicly when you wrap up.
19. Percentage-of-sales day
Some restaurants and small retailers will donate 10 to 20% of one day's sales to your cause if you bring in the customers. You promote the day; they handle the donation.
20. Car wash
A weekend car wash in a busy car park (with the landowner's permission) can raise real money if you have three or four volunteers and clear signage.
21. Yard work or chore services
Offer your time for gardening, odd jobs, or errands in your neighbourhood. Set a flat rate or accept donations.
Low-effort and passive fundraising ideas
22. Pet care services
Walk dogs, pet-sit, or board pets for neighbours. Your existing relationships in the neighbourhood are the advantage, people would rather hire someone they trust.
How to start pet care services
- Post in local Facebook groups, Nextdoor UK, and on community boards.
- Set clear hourly or daily rates.
- Send photo updates during sits, it builds trust and repeat business.
23. Tutoring or skill-based sessions
If you can teach maths, music, a language, coding, or a creative skill, offer paid sessions and direct the proceeds to your cause. Virtual sessions reach further than in-person.
24. Sell unused items online
Beyond a car boot sale, list higher-value items on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, Vinted, or Depop. Electronics, brand-name clothing, trainers, and collectibles tend to move fastest.
25. Pledge challenge
Commit publicly to a personal challenge, running a marathon, cycling 100 miles, going off social media for a month, and collect donations tied to the outcome. The challenge becomes the story.
For example, a parent might run the London Marathon and pledge each mile to a mental health cause at their child's school. Progress updates while training, and a photo at the finish line, keep donors engaged throughout.
How to run a pledge challenge
- Pick something visible and meaningful to you.
- Set up a campaign page where donors can read about the challenge and give easily.
- Share progress updates while you train and during the challenge itself.
- Post photos or video of completion and thank donors publicly.
26. Pay-to-dare challenge
A twist on the pledge challenge: donors unlock dares at specific donation milestones. Pre-approve a tiered list of dares you are willing to do (for example, £50 = dye hair pink, £100 = shave head, £250 = cold-water swim).
Best platforms for individual fundraising in the UK
Crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe UK are built for individuals, charities have more complex needs that require different software. For a personal cause, here is how the realistic UK options compare on the things that actually matter: whether you can use them for personal causes, the fee on a typical donation, whether you get a real campaign page with your story, and how fast you get paid.
Use the comparison table below to find the right fit for your situation.
|
| GoFundMe UK | Yes | 0% platform fee; card processing ~2.9% + 25p per donation (verify on gofundme.com/fees before launching) | Yes | 2 to 5 working days |
| JustGiving Crowdfunding | Yes (personal crowdfunding supported) | ~5% platform fee on personal campaigns (verify on justgiving.com before launching) | Yes | Varies |
| Crowdfunder UK | Yes (personal and community projects) | 0% for registered charities; personal-cause fee may apply (verify on crowdfunder.co.uk before launching) | Yes | Project close |
| PayPal (Friends & Family) | Yes | Free from bank balance in the UK; standard card fees on card payments | No story page | Instant to PayPal balance |
| Monzo Pot / Bank Transfer | Yes | Free | No story page | Instant |
| Wise / Revolut | Yes (best for international donors) | Low FX fees | No story page | Varies |
GoFundMe UK is usually the best starting point for individuals. It is built for personal causes, the campaign page does the storytelling work for you, and there is no platform fee for the organiser. Card processing applies to each donation. Plan on 2 to 5 working days for the first payout to your bank.
PayPal, Monzo, and bank transfer work well as the actual payment method, especially for friends and family who want to send money directly. They do not give you a story page, so most people use them alongside a GoFundMe campaign (or for in-person collection at events) rather than as the sole tool.
A note on Zeffy. Zeffy is 100% free, but it is built for registered UK charities. Donations on Zeffy must go to a registered charity. If you are raising money as an individual, Zeffy is not the right tool, use the personal-cause platforms above. We mention this because Zeffy is often compared to GoFundMe, and the comparison is misleading for personal causes. See the charity section below if your situation is different.
How to choose the right fundraising idea
Four questions that narrow the field quickly:
- What is your timeline? Urgent (days to weeks): crowdfunding plus direct email and a matching challenge. Planned (months ahead): events, tournaments, percentage-of-sales days.
- How big is your network? Small network: lean on in-person events and local business partnerships, where each conversation counts more. Large network: online ideas scale better.
- What skills do you have? If you can perform, teach, bake, make, or organise, lead with that. The best personal-cause campaigns play to a strength.
- How comfortable are you with direct asks? If asking feels uncomfortable, event-based ideas (where people pay for something tangible) feel less like a request. If direct asks come naturally, email and matching challenges convert best.
For most personal causes, the strongest combination is: a crowdfunding page as your hub, a direct email to your closest contacts at launch, plus one event or pledge challenge to create a moment worth sharing.
5 tips to make your personal fundraiser successful
1. Set a clear, specific goal
A specific number with a specific use ('£4,800 to cover six weeks of private physiotherapy') outperforms a vague total. Break the larger goal into milestones so you can celebrate progress and re-engage donors along the way. More on setting fundraising goals here.
2. Add real visuals
Include at least one clear photo of yourself or the person you are raising for. Stock images and clip art hurt credibility. A short video, even one filmed on a phone, almost always lifts results.
3. Tell the real story
Be honest and specific: what happened, what you need, how donations help. People connect with concrete details (for example, '£1,800 for six weeks of private physiotherapy the NHS waiting list does not cover') more than polished pitches. Write like you are talking to a friend.
4. Promote actively, on multiple channels
One social post is not enough. Plan to share your campaign on social media, by email or text to your inner circle, and in person at any gathering you are part of for at least the first two to three weeks. Re-share when you hit milestones.
5. Express genuine gratitude
Thank donors publicly and individually. A handwritten card to your closest donors goes further than you might expect. Share the final outcome, what the money did, once your campaign closes. Templates here if you need a starting point.
When your personal cause is actually a charity (and when it is not)
Most people reading this should keep using personal crowdfunding. GoFundMe UK and the other personal-cause platforms exist because one person needing help once is a real, common situation, and they handle it well.
But sometimes a personal cause quietly grows into something else. A memorial fund that keeps collecting donations year after year. A community effort to support multiple families after a disaster. A scholarship in someone's name. An ongoing fund for a specific community need. When a personal cause becomes recurring and serves a wider community, it has stopped being personal and started being a charity.
If your cause is recurring and community-facing, and you are seriously thinking about registering, here is what changes in the UK:
In England and Wales, charities with an annual income above £5,000 must register with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. You will need at least three unrelated trustees and exclusively charitable purposes for the public benefit. In Scotland, all charities must register with OSCR regardless of size. In Northern Ireland, charities register with CCNI.
Once registered and recognised by HMRC, donations from UK taxpayers can be Gift Aid eligible, HMRC adds 25p for every £1 given, at no extra cost to the donor.
- Donations to a registered UK charity can be Gift Aid eligible: a £100 donation becomes £125, with HMRC paying the difference.
- You can accept regular giving cleanly, run peer-to-peer campaigns, and apply for UK grants (National Lottery Community Fund, Google Ad Grants via TechSoup UK validation).
- You use charity-specific software (like Zeffy, 100% free for UK charities) instead of personal crowdfunding platforms.
If that sounds like your situation, our guide to how to start a charity walks through the registration steps. If you are already registered, these are the crowdfunding platforms built for UK charities.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fundraise for someone else?
Yes. Most crowdfunding platforms allow you to raise money on behalf of another person, a family member, a friend, or someone in your community. Be transparent about your relationship to the person and how the funds will reach them. Donors give more readily when they understand exactly who they are helping and how the money will be used.
Is personal fundraising taxable in the UK?
In the UK, money raised on personal crowdfunding for a personal cause is normally treated as a gift and not taxable income. HMRC does not tax gifts to individuals in most circumstances. There are exceptions: if the fundraising looks like a trade, or if the amounts raised are very large, HMRC may take a different view. This is general information, not tax advice. Speak to a UK accountant or contact HMRC directly if you are raising significant sums.
What is the best fundraising platform for individuals in the UK?
For most UK personal causes, GoFundMe UK is the default first choice, it is built for individuals, has no platform fee for the organiser, and gives you a real story page. PayPal, Monzo pots, and direct bank transfer work well for taking payment from friends and family but do not give you a shareable campaign page. Zeffy is for UK-registered charities, not individuals.
How much can I realistically raise?
It depends heavily on your network size and how actively you promote. Personal crowdfunding campaigns that reach their goal almost always combine a strong story, an early push to close contacts, and regular updates. A campaign that raises 20 to 30% of its goal in the first 48 hours from your inner circle is far more likely to attract wider support. Set a goal that reflects a real, specific need rather than an aspirational total.
How do I handle donations from strangers?
Be transparent and specific. Update your campaign page regularly with honest progress reports. If someone donates and asks how the money will be used, reply promptly and specifically. If you reach your goal early, say so and let donors know whether you plan to close the campaign or keep it open for related costs. Trust is the currency of personal crowdfunding.
What if I do not reach my goal?
Most personal crowdfunding platforms let you keep whatever you raise, even if you fall short of your target. GoFundMe UK, for example, releases funds regardless of whether you hit your goal. Be honest with your donors if you fall short: update the page, explain what the funds will cover, and thank everyone who gave. If your need is ongoing, consider relaunching with a smaller, more focused goal.
How long should a personal fundraising campaign run?
Most personal campaigns perform best in the first two to three weeks, when your network is most engaged and the cause feels fresh. A campaign that drags on for months without updates loses momentum and can actually deter new donors (it can signal the fundraiser is stalling). Plan to run your active promotion for three to four weeks, then leave the page live quietly for anyone who finds it later. Set a specific close date if you have a deadline tied to a treatment, an event, or a cost.
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