fund-raise
IntermediateFormal to Neutral. More formal than 'raise money' but less formal than 'solicit funds'.
Definition
Meaning
To seek or collect money for a cause, organization, or project.
The systematic activity of soliciting voluntary financial contributions, often involving events, campaigns, or appeals to individuals, corporations, or foundations.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a verb. Can also function as a compound noun (fundraising). The activity is often associated with charities, political campaigns, schools, and non-profit organizations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The hyphenated form 'fund-raise' is more common in UK English. US English often prefers the closed compound 'fundraise' or the noun 'fundraising' used attributively. 'To raise funds' is equally common in both.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both variants: organized, purposeful effort for a good cause. May have slightly more institutional/charity-sector connotations in the UK.
Frequency
The verb is less frequent than the noun 'fundraising' in both varieties, but still common. 'To fund-raise' is more transparently a verb form to UK readers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] fund-raises [for + Beneficiary/Organization][Subject] fund-raises [Adjunct of Purpose/Manner][Subject] fund-raises [Amount of Money]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pass the hat (related, informal)”
- “Kickstart a campaign (related, for initial funding)”
- “Drum up support (related)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) contexts, e.g., 'Employees fund-raise for the company's chosen charity.'
Academic
Appears in papers on non-profit management, social work, and political science discussing resource mobilization.
Everyday
Common in community contexts: 'We're fund-raising for the local football club.'
Technical
Used in legal/regulatory contexts pertaining to charity law and campaign finance regulations.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The committee will fund-raise aggressively to meet their target.
- She has been fund-raising for the hospice for years.
- We need to fund-raise for the new village hall.
American English
- The team plans to fundraise online this year.
- He fundraises professionally for political candidates.
- They successfully fundraised over a million dollars.
adverb
British English
- N/A (No standard adverbial form; 'in a fund-raising capacity' is used.)
American English
- N/A (No standard adverbial form; 'for fundraising purposes' is used.)
adjective
British English
- This is a fund-raising event, not a party.
- She has excellent fund-raising skills.
- The fund-raising target was ambitious.
American English
- We need a new fundraising strategy.
- She attended a fundraising workshop.
- The fundraising goal is within reach.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Our school will fund-raise for new books.
- They fund-raise to help animals.
- The local club is fund-raising to repair the community centre roof.
- If we want to go on the trip, we must fund-raise for it.
- The charity has been tirelessly fund-raising to support its outreach programmes in the region.
- Volunteers are needed to fund-raise for the upcoming political campaign.
- Despite the economic downturn, the organisation managed to fund-raise a record sum through targeted micro-donations.
- The legislation imposes strict transparency requirements on entities that fund-raise from the public.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FUN(D) RUN to RAISE money. Fund-raise combines both ideas.
Conceptual Metaphor
FUND-RAISING IS A CAMPAIGN / A JOURNEY (e.g., 'launch a campaign,' 'reach our goal,' 'path to our target').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите дословно как "фанд-рейзить". Используйте "собирать средства", "проводить сбор средств", "фандрайзить" (заимствование, но менее употребимо).
- Не путать с "финансировать" (to fund) – это действие со стороны дающего, а не собирающего.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'fundrise' (a brand name) instead of 'fund-raise/fundraise'.
- Incorrect: 'They fundraised money for the hospital.' Correct: 'They fundraised for the hospital' or 'They raised money for the hospital.'
- Misspelling as one word in UK contexts where hyphen is preferred (fund-raise).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'fund-raise' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It varies. British English often uses the hyphenated form 'fund-raise' (verb) and 'fund-raising' (noun/adj). American English commonly uses 'fundraise' and 'fundraising' as single words. 'Raise funds' is always two words.
'Fund-raise' implies a more organized, sustained effort, often for an institution or formal cause. 'Raise money' is more general and can refer to any context, from a child's lemonade stand to a large charity gala. 'Fund-raise' is slightly more formal.
Typically, no. It is usually intransitive. You fund-raise *for* a cause or *to do* something. You do not '*fund-raise money*'. Instead, you '*raise money*' or '*fund-raise to get* money'.
Yes. A 'fund-raiser' (UK) or 'fundraiser' (US) is a person who raises funds or an event held to raise funds. So, 'He is a good fund-raiser' means he is skilled at soliciting donations.