The short answer
Missing a target means you need to review the plan, not assume the money disappears or everyone is automatically refunded. Check your platform terms and what you promised supporters. Raised's crowdfunding guide says campaigns have no minimum or all-or-nothing requirement, but fees, spending commitments and any refund arrangements still need checking.
Find the actual shortfall first.
Start with money received, not pledged orders, expressions of interest or the headline sales total. Ask the treasurer to reconcile payments, outstanding supplier invoices, fees and any expenses already paid. Keep amounts still owed to the group separate from money available to spend.
Then compare that net amount with the part of the project you need to fund. For example, a group that needs $2,000 and has $1,600 after costs has a $400 gap. That is an invented example, but it gives the next discussion a useful starting point: can you close a specific gap, or change the project?
- Record the original target and its purpose.
- List confirmed money received and costs still due.
- Check the decision date, including supplier and venue deadlines.
- Keep promised donations in a separate column until received.
Read what you told people.
Look back at your campaign description, order confirmation and sponsorship agreement. Did you promise a particular purchase, event or delivery date? Did you explain what would happen if the target was missed? Use that wording when deciding the next step, and involve the people authorised to make the decision for your group.
For a product fundraiser, a financial target is different from a supplier's minimum order. Falling short of one does not tell you whether the other has been met. Confirm the supplier's position before changing collection dates or accepting more orders. Do not promise refunds, change the purpose of donated funds or spend a restricted contribution without checking the applicable arrangements.
Choose a next step the group can actually deliver.
A smaller completed project may be more useful than another open-ended campaign. Put the remaining options beside the time and volunteer effort they need. Agree one owner and a date for the decision.
| Option | When it may fit | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Reduce the scope | A useful smaller purchase or first stage is possible | Whether this still matches the purpose supporters were given |
| Extend the campaign | There is genuine demand and time before the deadline | Supplier terms, event timing and who handles the extra work |
| Seek a specific sponsor | One business could cover an identified remaining cost | What you can offer and who can approve that commitment |
| Pause or stop | Costs or commitments no longer make the plan workable | Existing orders, supporter communication and platform support |
Give supporters a clear update.
Thank people for what they helped achieve before asking for anything else. Say what is confirmed, what remains undecided and when the next update will arrive. Avoid making children or families responsible for the gap. No one needs to explain why they cannot contribute again.
Adapt this message only after your group has agreed the figures and next step. Replace every bracketed detail, and keep individual payment information out of the public update.
Wording you can adapt
Thank you for supporting [cause]. Our target was [amount]. After confirmed costs, we have [amount] available, leaving [gap]. We have agreed to [next step]. This means [what changes for the project or orders]. We will update you again by [date]. If you have a question about your contribution or order, please contact [organiser].
Leave the next organiser a useful record.
Write down the final net result, the reason for the shortfall and the decision made. Keep the receipts and campaign records with the group's normal financial records. Note what you would change next time, such as a smaller initial order or an earlier demand check. A missed target can still leave the group with funds and a more realistic plan.
Check the campaign position in Raised.
Raised's crowdfunding guide states that campaigns do not require the target to be reached. Its cancellation guide distinguishes pausing new activity from ending a campaign, while keeping records available for reconciliation.
A target shortfall is not an automatic refund instruction. Check payment status, your commitments and current terms with Raised support before cancelling or promising a remedy.
Read Raised's crowdfunding guideRaiseFunds and Raised are made by the same team. We recommend Raised where its features fit the task. Check current fees and campaign settings before launching.
Sources and next steps
Product details were checked against the sources below on 15 November 2026. Planning examples are illustrative, not promised fundraising results.
Spotted an outdated detail? Tell us what needs correcting.