fundraiser

noun

fund·​rais·​er ˈfənd-ˌrā-zər How to pronounce fundraiser (audio)
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
2
: 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

Examples of fundraiser in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Steven’s brother posted an online fundraiser to help cover his brother’s funeral expenses. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026 As of late Saturday afternoon, the fundraiser had raised more than $56,000. Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026 The three of them address club members at a fundraiser; the sequence even starts with an employee stepping on an ant, just as Austin did in the first episode. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026 The gala is a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026 The second-place fundraiser was Masuda, with $209,000. Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2026 On the night of a fundraiser at the club, Josh forgets his wallet and Austin and Ashley are tasked with returning it, walking in at the end of a heated argument between Josh and Lindsay — a fight that reaches a violent climax that Ashley films on her phone. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026 However, eight years later, Park isn't at the Monte Visto fundraiser, and is instead visiting the grave of her first husband. Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026 The mayor hosted an event that raised more than $100,000 for his 50th birthday last month and recently held fundraisers in Detroit and New York, Perry said. Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fundraiser was in 1881

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fundraiser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fundraiser. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

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