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.
In five years, the Academy Museum Gala has blossomed from the mishmash of style seen on its opening night in 2021 to a polished evening of haute couture, bespoke tuxedos and plentiful high jewelry, all served up on a blue carpet that was a new addition to the annual fundraiser. Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025 Saturday night’s fundraiser was partly in support of the British Museum’s international partnerships with countries such as India, Nigeria and Iraq. Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025 Prior to the fundraiser, Grohl and Blum were last seen together in public at the 2025 Wimbledon Tennis Championships in July. Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025 This is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year and helps fund its Student Scholarship Program and other civic programs. Dawn Giangiulio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025 During the dark and scary days of the COVID-19 pandemic, San Jose arts collective Local Color came up with an idea for a virtual fundraiser that has now grown into one of the most creative events of the Halloween season. Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025 The powwow is also a fundraiser for the NAIA that continues an ongoing effort to build a new Circle of Life Indian Center Cultural Center on Bell Road in Antioch. Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Oct. 2025 The quiet donation from Swift, spotted by Swifties, has inspired other fans of the pop star to follow suit by contributing to the fundraiser, each in increments of $13, in honor of Swift’s favorite number. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025 The fundraiser has collected over $11,000 so far. Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025

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 22 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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