fundraiser
noun
fund·rais·er
ˈfənd-ˌrā-zər 
variants
or less commonly fund-raiser
plural fundraisers also fund-raisers
1
: a person employed to raise funds (as for an institution or political cause)
a talented fundraiser
… hired not only for his popularity with the other scientists but for his proven abilities as a fundraiser.—
James Shreeve
James Shreeve2
: a social event (such as a cocktail party) held for the purpose of raising funds
… he gained recognition by throwing a posh fundraiser for President Jimmy Carter.—James Ridgeway
James RidgewayExamples of fundraiser in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The first of the three legs in an inaugural fundraiser called the Wagora Bike Ride unspools along rocky red clay roads and through rutted jeep tracks, past braying herds of zebra and startled warthogs.
—Tom Vanderbilt, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
The Illinois Democrat had already knocked out back-to-back fundraisers in New York that September 2019 weekend, but Krishnamoorthi was determined to make a third event in northern Virginia, a former campaign staffer recalled in a recent interview.
—Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Family members have set up an online fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses.
—Steve Large, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
The annual fundraiser benefited Big Dog Ranch Rescue, based in nearby Loxahatchee, which works to place dogs into forever homes.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
The fundraiser, in honor of Women’s History Month, is sponsored by Nixtaco’s proprietary spirit brand, Dorotea Gin.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Wasserman, a prolific Clinton fundraiser whose famous grandfather helped the Democrat win the 1992 presidential election, was joined on Epstein’s jet by his then-wife, Laura, actor Kevin Spacey, Epstein and his longtime companion Ghislaine Maxwell and others, including security agents.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka, who had been slated to host the WGA West show before it was canceled, headlined a fundraiser for the Writers Guild Staff Union on Sunday night instead.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
The concert is a fundraiser for Hartford Stage’s artistic and educational programs.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026
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Tom Vanderbilt, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
The Illinois Democrat had already knocked out back-to-back fundraisers in New York that September 2019 weekend, but Krishnamoorthi was determined to make a third event in northern Virginia, a former campaign staffer recalled in a recent interview.
—Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Family members have set up an online fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses.
—Steve Large, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
The annual fundraiser benefited Big Dog Ranch Rescue, based in nearby Loxahatchee, which works to place dogs into forever homes.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
The fundraiser, in honor of Women’s History Month, is sponsored by Nixtaco’s proprietary spirit brand, Dorotea Gin.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Wasserman, a prolific Clinton fundraiser whose famous grandfather helped the Democrat win the 1992 presidential election, was joined on Epstein’s jet by his then-wife, Laura, actor Kevin Spacey, Epstein and his longtime companion Ghislaine Maxwell and others, including security agents.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka, who had been slated to host the WGA West show before it was canceled, headlined a fundraiser for the Writers Guild Staff Union on Sunday night instead.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
The concert is a fundraiser for Hartford Stage’s artistic and educational programs.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fundraiser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fundraiser. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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