Fundraising Thermometer Template: How to Boost Donations and Engagement

It’s a customizable progress graphic that displays money raised toward a goal in real time (or via manual updates). It helps motivate donors, visualize momentum, and keep teams aligned on targets.

1. Set your goal amount and deadline.
2. Connect a data source (CRM, payment, or manual).
3. Choose colors, fonts, and labels.
4. Embed on your page and test an update.
5. Share the link and promote progress posts.

Use last year’s total + growth (10–25%) and ensure you have enough donor/sponsor pipeline to realistically hit it by the deadline. Tie the goal to impact units (e.g., “$50,000 = 10,000 meals”).

• Automatic: pulls totals from payments/CRM; best for live events.
• Manual: quick to launch; requires scheduled updates.
• Hybrid: auto for online gifts + manual for checks/cash.

• Total raised and goal amount.
• % to goal and time remaining.
• Optional: donor count, average gift, top supporters.
• Clear CTA button: Donate / Bid / Get Tickets.

1. Copy the provided embed code or shortcode.
2. Paste into your page editor or HTML block.
3. Preview on desktop and mobile to confirm sizing.
4. Publish and verify the total updates correctly.

• Use high-contrast colors and readable fonts.
• Add alt text and ARIA labels for screen readers.
• Keep jargon off the graphic; use plain labels.
• Ensure tap targets and buttons are large on mobile.

Add real-time updates, “$ to goal” badges, hourly targets, and optional leaderboards by team or sponsor. Pair with SMS/email alerts and a countdown to drive urgency.

• Donor count and average gift size.
• Page conversion rate (visits → gifts/bids).
• Channel ROAS and cost per acquisition.
• Pacing vs. goal and % of goal by phase.

1. Week 1–2: 20–30% from early donors/sponsors.
2. Mid-campaign: steady updates; add a match to re-energize.
3. Final 72 hours: daily goals + countdown reminders.
4. Post-close: final push for unpaid pledges and thanks.

Create milestone badges (25%, 50%, 75%) and schedule short match windows (e.g., “next $5,000 doubled”). Announce them on the thermometer and across channels to trigger action.

Yes, if your platform supports it. Standardize display currency and show your event timezone on the page. Confirm processor settlement rules before launch. General information, not financial advice.

Offer anonymous giving and obtain consent before naming donors or showing amounts. Display a brief privacy notice near the thermometer. Follow applicable data and communications regulations. General information, not legal advice.

• Refresh cache or disable page caching for the widget.
• Confirm data source credentials and mapping.
• Check time zone/date window filters.
• Fallback to manual override while you investigate.

Place it high on the page, above the fold with a clear CTA. Repeat a smaller version in sidebars or near item lists, and ensure it scales responsively on phones and tablets.

Post copy: “We’re [X%] to our goal of $[Goal] to fund [impact]. Give $[amount] to push us over the next milestone! Every gift counts. Donate here: [link]”

1. Log offline gifts daily with gift type and date.
2. Tag pledges separately; include or exclude from total per policy.
3. Reconcile with finance weekly and update the thermometer.

General information, not accounting advice.

Yes—create separate thermometers or segments (e.g., team pages) that roll up into a master total. This adds friendly competition and helps sponsors see their impact clearly.

1. Lock the final total and export a KPI report.
2. Send thank-yous with impact highlights and photos.
3. Invite donors to recurring gifts or the next event.
4. Archive screenshots for your annual report.

• Setting an unrealistic goal or changing it mid-campaign without context.
• Slow updates that erode trust.
• Low-contrast colors or tiny text on mobile.
• No clear CTA next to the graphic.