Access to healthcare isn’t equal. Many communities struggle to afford basic care, and others lack nearby hospitals, medicine, or staff. Fundraising helps close these gaps.
You don’t need to be an expert or have a big budget. You just need a clear plan and the right tools. This article explains practical ways to raise money by fundraising that may lead to lasting improvements in healthcare, whether for one person or an entire community.
Why We Badly Need Fundraising for Healthcare
In many places, healthcare remains out of reach. People skip treatment because they can’t afford it. Clinics run without enough staff or supplies. Patients face long travel times just to see a doctor. These problems exist in low-income and middle-income countries, and they’re getting worse.
Government funding alone can’t cover the full cost of care, and insurance, where available, often excludes essential services. That’s where fundraising plays a crucial role. It fills the gap between what healthcare systems provide and what people need. According to the World Bank and WHO, over 100 million people globally are pushed into extreme poverty each year because of out-of-pocket health expenses. That means one in every 15 people falls deeper into poverty simply by trying to stay alive or care for a loved one.
Fundraising for healthcare can help to provide comfort and prevent suffering, economic ruin, and unnecessary deaths. When systems fail, communities must step in. Every person raised can help someone access treatment they would otherwise miss.
Set Clear Healthcare-Focused Goals
Before raising money, know exactly what you want to achieve. Don’t say “support healthcare” or “help patients.” Instead, be specific. For example:
- “We aim to raise ₱500,000 to buy a dialysis machine.”
- “₱50,000 will fund a mobile health clinic for three weekends.”
- “₱10,000 will cover 20 prenatal visits for women in rural areas.”
Clear goals give people a reason to give. They also help you track fundraising success.
Match your goal to a real need. Talk to doctors, health workers, or local leaders. Use health data when possible. According to the World Health Organization, 50% of the world’s population does not receive essential health services. That’s a strong reason to act—and a powerful fact to include in your fundraising campaign.
When you define success, you give donors confidence that their money will be used well.
Use Digital Platforms to Reach More People
Digital tools let you run a fundraiser from anywhere. Use platforms built for this purpose. Some trusted options include:
- GoFundMe (for general fundraising)
- Givebutter (for peer-to-peer and events)
- SimplyGiving (popular in Southeast Asia)
These sites help you explain your cause, collect donations, and thank supporters. They also give you a link to share across social media.
Create a short, honest video. You don’t need a full production. A clear voice, a steady phone camera, and basic editing software will do. Keep it under one minute. Focus on the problem and how donations help.
Most importantly, make your fundraiser easy to share. The more people who see it, the more likely you’ll reach your goal. A study by Nonprofits Source found that 55% of people who interact with nonprofits on social media take action, including donating or sharing the cause.
Digital fundraising works when your message is clear, your platform is easy to use, and your story feels real.
Partner With Local Organizations and Trusted Voices
You don’t have to do this alone. Find others who care about the same cause. Local hospitals, clinics, or nonprofits may want to partner with you. Involving local leaders—doctors, nurses, community organizers—can also build trust. People are more likely to donate if someone they respect supports the effort.
If you can, ask a nurse or community health worker to speak in a short video or attend your event. Their presence shows that your campaign is based on real needs, not just good intentions.
You can also explore creative ways to fundraise with partners. For example, ask local cafes to donate a portion of their sales for one day. Or hold a pop-up health booth in a mall with a donation box on-site. These collaborations give your fundraiser more visibility and credibility.
Host Simple, Community-Driven Events
According to the Charities Aid Foundation, 75% of donors feel more motivated to give when they see the impact locally. Events offer this connection, both emotional and practical.
Events still play a strong role in fundraising. They don’t need to be complex or expensive. They just need to bring people together for a clear reason.
Try to connect the event to the healthcare cause. For example, a charity walk for stroke awareness or a dinner where survivors speak.
Offer a small health service at the event. Blood pressure checks, health screenings, or short talks from doctors help connect your mission to those attending.
Tell Real Stories With Respect and Purpose
Numbers matter, but stories move people. Donors want to understand who they are helping. Share the experience of one person your fundraiser aims to support. Keep the story short and factual.
Always ask for consent when sharing personal stories or photos. Avoid exaggeration. Use simple, clear language. A real story, told calmly, builds more trust than dramatic language.
You can also tell the story of a nurse, a rural clinic, or a health volunteer. Show what they see every day—and why support matters.
If you use video, add subtitles for clarity. Keep it focused and respectful.
Stories make fundraising human. They remind people that behind every campaign is real life.
Offer Matching Gifts to Encourage Larger Donations
People are more likely to give if they know their donation will go further. That’s where matching gifts help.
Ask a local business, company, or wealthy donor to match public donations. For example, if a family donates ₱1000, the sponsor gives another ₱1000. This doubles the impact—and motivates others to join.
You can also set a short time window: “All donations this weekend will be matched.” It creates a sense of urgency without pressure.
Make sure to thank your matching donor publicly, with their permission. It encourages others to step up for future campaigns. Matching gifts are one of the most creative ways to fundraise because they combine generosity with strategy. You raise more without asking people to give more.
Provide Clear Updates and Transparent Reporting
Donors want to know what happened after they gave. If you stay silent, they may not give again.
Use your platform or email list to post updates.
Add photos or videos when possible. Keep the tone factual and steady.
You can also share small breakdowns, like: “₱500 = one medical visit” or “₱1000 = lab tests for two people.” This shows where the money goes and how it helps.
Transparency builds long-term trust. And trust keeps your support system strong.
Stay Connected With Your Donors
Fundraising isn’t one moment. It’s a relationship. Treat donors with care.
After the campaign ends, send thank-you messages. These can be short texts, emails, or videos. Mention what their gift helped achieve. Avoid sending generic messages.
Follow up a few weeks later. Share results, future plans, or new stories. Keep them part of the mission.
You don’t need fancy software. A simple list or spreadsheet can help you remember who gave, how much, and when. Use this to send updates and invites for future fundraisers.
Staying in touch is one of the most overlooked but effective fundraising strategies. People give again when they feel part of something real.
Conclusion
You don’t need big money to make a difference in healthcare. You need clarity, honesty, and a plan.
Set specific goals, use digital tools, work with partners, and choose creative fundraising methods for your cause. Most of all, keep donors informed and respected.
When fundraising is done well, it creates more than money. It builds health, trust, and lasting change.
This article was written by Ron, who is from VEED. He is a passionate content marketer with a wealth of knowledge in the online space. His curiosity and enthusiasm led to the development of a constantly expanding portfolio that includes anything from video editing services to publishing his original creations on top-notch websites.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.
Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of WHN/A4M. Any content provided by guest authors is of their own opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything else. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Content may be edited for style and length.
References/Sources/Materials provided by:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/universal-health-coverage-(uhc)
https://nonprofitssource.com/online-giving-statistics/
https://www.cafonline.org/about-us/publications/2021-publications/caf-world-giving-index-2021
https://worldhealth.net/news/empowering-change-support-cancer-beyond-words/
https://worldhealth.net/news/public-health-challenge-of-hidden-hunger/
https://worldhealth.net/news/2023s-unhealthiest-cities-america/
