The short answer
Yes. Families can share an approved campaign link, help with a specific volunteer task, lend suitable equipment or introduce a potential sponsor. Make every option voluntary, including doing nothing this time. A donation is another option only for people who want and can afford to give; it is not the free alternative.
Start by making participation genuinely optional.
Not every family wants the product, has spare money or can take on another job. A fundraising message should leave room for that without asking anyone to explain. Say plainly that buying is optional and that your group appreciates help in different forms. Avoid making a child's standing in the group depend on what their household spends.
Free tasks still have a cost in time, transport or energy. Offer small, specific jobs, but do not treat volunteering as something a family owes in return for not buying. Give people a way to reply privately and make no response an acceptable response.
Offer real jobs with a clear finish.
A request to 'help with fundraising' is hard to judge. A request to label 30 collection bags on Tuesday is easier to accept or decline. Give each task an owner, an expected duration and the information needed to do it. Check whether the task involves lifting, food handling or access to private supporter details.
Do not ask everyone to attend a planning meeting just to find a job. Let the organiser match available help to the work that actually needs doing, rather than creating extra tasks to make people feel involved.
| Way to help | A useful specific request | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Share the fundraiser | Forward the approved link to people who may be interested | Use an appropriate channel and respect group rules |
| Help from home | Proofread the collection instructions or prepare labels | Share only the information the task needs |
| Take a short shift | Help pack orders for 30 minutes at an agreed time | Supervision, access and any handling requirements |
| Lend equipment | Lend a suitable table or trolley for collection day | Permission, safe use and the return arrangement |
| Make an introduction | Ask whether a local business would welcome a sponsorship request | Do not promise publicity or benefits on the group's behalf |
Give families an invitation they can say no to.
Send a message that names a few current needs instead of a long list of hypothetical jobs. Include the task time and where to reply. Avoid public lists of households that have not bought or volunteered; keep the focus on the work, not on comparing families.
Adapt this template to the jobs you actually have available. If no extra help is needed, simply thank people for reading and leave the choice with them.
Wording you can adapt
We are fundraising for [purpose], and buying is completely optional. If you would like to help without purchasing, we could use [specific task and time], or you are welcome to share [approved link] with someone who may be interested. Please contact [organiser] if a task suits you. There is no expectation to buy, donate, volunteer or explain if this is not a good time.
Thank people for more than the sales total.
At the end, thank the people who packed, checked instructions, lent equipment and shared the campaign as well as those who bought or donated. Ask permission before naming individuals publicly. Record which small jobs helped so the next organiser can offer realistic options instead of assuming the same volunteers will always be available.
Give willing supporters one clear link to share.
Raised provides a campaign link for newsletters and group messages. Its member guide also describes personal page links, QR codes and downloadable posters for people taking part in team fundraising.
Sharing is optional. Use the right campaign or member link, obtain permission for photographs, and do not publish a child's private details or imply that every family must raise a set amount.
See how sharing works on RaisedRaiseFunds 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.