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.
As of March 30, the fundraiser has raised nearly $18,000. Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 31 Mar. 2026 Originally the Library Giving Day was a one-day event held nationally on April 1, but Southlake will be holding the special event for one week with an online fundraiser for library programming and services. Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026 On Tuesday, March 31, the New England Patriots star quarterback shaved his head at Granite Telecommunications' annual Saving by Shaving fundraiser. Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 31 Mar. 2026 Newton promptly stopped the fundraiser and set the rotor blades in motion. Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 31 Mar. 2026 At Dillon Reservoir, the Rotary Club of Summit County saw its annual Ice Melt fundraiser cut dramatically short. Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026 Already the group has held fundraisers, notably by partnering with DB Woodworks to create small-scale wooden replicas of the sign for sale, with some of the proceeds going towards the project. R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026 The annual festival is also a fundraiser for the nonprofit Fraser. Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026 Houston Oyster & Seafest The Galveston Bay Foundation is back with its annual culinary fundraiser. Aviva Bechky, Houston Chronicle, 28 Mar. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Fundraiser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fundraiser. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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