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.
An online fundraiser for the family on the GoFundMe platform has raised more than $80,000 to cover expenses. Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026 Remembering Ina Lang A GoFundMe online fundraiser has been organized to help the family. Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026 The challenge originated 48 years ago as the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart challenge, a fundraiser that taught kids the importance of heart health through jump roping. Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026 Dutch Bros also engages in local fundraisers and community events. Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 9 Feb. 2026 Howard has served as a volunteer with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated as a mentor in Oceanside and a fundraiser for the fraternity’s scholarship and mentoring programs and assisted with community outreach and fundraising at the North County African American Women’s Association. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026 The fundraiser benefits West Valley Community Services (WVCS), a nonprofit whose programs support low-income and homeless individuals and families in Cupertino, Los Gatos, Saratoga and West San Jose. Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026 Campaign records show Flora traveled to Las Vegas roughly once a month during that period, citing a legislative trip in September, an event in October, a campaign event in November and a fundraiser in December. Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 8 Feb. 2026 Her campaign had already scheduled a reelection fundraiser for next week — after the filing deadline for mayoral candidates. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 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 12 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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