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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Pras tells me about a rally in downtown L.A. in 2007, when Obama invited him to come to Beverly Hills for a fundraiser hosted by the DreamWorks team of Steven Spielberg, David Geffen, and Jeffrey Katzenberg. Michael Ames, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2023 Holland was expecting his first daughter, who will be born in a few weeks, according to an online fundraiser created by one of Holland’s relatives on GoFundMe. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2023 Tickets for the fundraiser go on sale Monday through the Hispanic Federation. Glenn Gamboa, ajc, 6 Mar. 2023 Nearly $10,000 has been donated through the online fundraiser. Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2023 An online fundraiser benefiting Grumps employees was created Feb. 17 and had raised about $3,400 by Tuesday morning. Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Feb. 2023 Ogaro, from Forest Hill, was days away from celebrating his 19th birthday, according to an online fundraiser. Dallas News, 28 Feb. 2023 In March, Adams met with Lightfoot while visiting Chicago for a fundraiser at the home of Desirée Rogers, the former White House social secretary for President Barack Obama. Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2023 Honorary co-chairmen for the fundraiser were Tasha Tandy and Ryland Allen. Carin Schoppmeyer, Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fundraiser.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fundraiser was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near fundraiser

Cite this Entry

“Fundraiser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fundraiser. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

More from Merriam-Webster on fundraiser

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